Ainu artisan with an Ita

The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan. With surprising roots in eastern Russia, their culture is quite distinct from what is commonly recognized as typical Japanese culture. The Ainu’s belief that all creatures and objects have a spirit promotes an intimate relationship with the natural world. In this picture, artisan Shigehiro is proudly showing a Nibutani ita he made himself. The ita is a wooden plate carved with shapes that celebrate vegetation, water and fish - the basic elements of the Ainu lifestyle.

Learn more about Ainu culture.