Hunting and Fishing Culture of Ainu

The northern territory of Hokkaido and its surrounding islands was the living environment of the Ainu people. Their culture venerated and co-existed with the harsh natural environment and hunting, fishing, gathering and farming was their source of livelihood. They hunted grizzly or brown bears, Hokkaido deer, hares or rabbits, foxes, raccoon dogs, white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles using arrows and spears. The point of the arrows or spears were usually coated with poison, which varied according to household. The feathers of the eagles were precious trading goods. For fishing, they employed grapnels called marek, fish pounds, or basket net traps to catch salmon and trout. For ocean fishing, harpoons were used to catch larger fish and marine mammals.

This exhibition focuses on the hunting and fishing culture of the Ainu, introducing their art of hunting and fishing through a variety of utensils, weapons, and clothing, as well as items of daily life that reflect their actual living conditions.