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Hokkaido , Japan / Masters of Ainu Craftsmanship - Experience the traditions and culture of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu

Hokkaido , Japan / Masters of Ainu Craftsmanship - Experience the traditions and culture of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu

Live Travelers
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 ▼Past Tour

Starts at 11:00 am on Friday, February 26th, Japan time 

Departure time：Check your Local Time

■KEY POINTS OF THE TOUR

  • Experience the traditions and culture of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people.

  • Visit a museum with 1,121 important tangible folk cultural assets on display.

  • Visit an Ainu artisan's workshop, and speak with them in real time.

    

■LIVE TRAVELLERS CREW

The former director of Otaru Museum. Operating mainly in Hokkaido, he now works as a guide for tourists to Japan.
He hopes to show visitors from all over the world the unique, charming aspects of Hokkaido and Japan.

Segment 1) ""Nibutani Ainu Culture Musuem""
　　　　　Hokkaido's culture and history is like no other on earth. The museum is dedicated to protecting the source of Ainu heritage, and ensuring that
　　　　　their culture continues to grow and be passed on to future generations.
  　　　　　
Segment 2) ""Exploring Nibutani Kotan""
　　　　　An area that recreates a traditional Ainu village. The sight of traditional Ainu ""Chise"" houses lined up together is like another world.
  
Segment 3) ""Visiting the Workshop of Ainu Artists""
　　　　　Ainu artists work diligently to carry on their traditional crafts, all while integrating their own unique sensitivities and
　　　　　techniques to create their own artistic message. Enjoy listening to artists striving to create original Ainu art talk about
　　　　　their craft. For this tour, we've visited world-renowned Ainu woodcarving artisan Kaizawa Toru's workshop.

  

■TOUR INTRODUCTION

This time, we'll visit Nibutani Kotan in Hokkaido. It's a place of great importance to Ainu people, where a living Ainu culture continues to be passed down into the future. Visitors can't help but be awed by the beautiful masterworks created by the skilled Ainu artisans living and working in Nibutani.Seeing the delicate patterns of the works, one can get a true feel for the importance of all things in nature. It's the perfect place to experience and share in the spiritual world and natural harmony through the eyes of Ainu artisans.
  
Kaizawa Toru is one of the foremost figures of Ainu Art. We'll have a chance to speak with the artisan himself, and learn about the special characteristics of Ainu art, his works, tools, and inspirations. We're also welcoming questions from tour participants!
We'll also visit ""Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum"", which has on display many works from Ainu artists, including some which are available for purchase.Currently, many Ainu artists reside in NIbutani Kotan, where they work to create masterful art pieces, and bring Ainu culture to the world. Take this opportunity to see the beauty and uniqueness of their works!
  
With this opportunity to experience Ainu culture, you're sure to feel a renewed sense of awe and gratefulness towards nature, and a renewed hope for a world where diverse peoples can all live together in peace and harmony.

  

■WHAT IS NIBUTANI KOTAN?

Nibutani Kotan is a place to study the culture and history of Hokkaido's aboriginal Ainu people.
There we can see Ainu people's current lifestyle, and imagine our shared future together. In the Ainu language, ""kotan"" means village, or settlement.
The Nibutani Kotan is made up of restored traditional Ainu houses called ""Chise"", giving visitors a chance to experience the traditional craftsmanship of the Ainu people and their spiritual culture.