The Ainu are the indigenous peoples of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, and surrounding areas, who have their own language, and beliefs, including that spirits reside in all things.
In this series, we visit areas in Hokkaido with deep connections to the Ainu living there and showcase their prayers, dances, and traditional ceremonies passed down through generations.

Part 5 of a 5-part series. Akan, in Kushiro City, Hokkaido is a town home to the Lake Akan hot springs, with a population of about 1,000 people. It is blessed with rich nature, and is especially known for Lake Akan and the "Akan Ainu Kotan” village, home to more than 20 folk art shops and workshops, where traditional crafts are thriving.
The "Marimo Festival" was held in October of this year. This episode will share its preparations, as well as the festival itself and the work being done by the people of Akan, as well as efforts to carry on the traditions and history into the future.

In addition, we will introduce new forms of Ainu culture such as the Ainu Theater "Ikoro" where new stage performances convey the spirit of the Ainu people, a guided tour of the forest that conveys Ainu culture, and the artisans who are creating new works beyond the boundaries of traditional crafts.

First aired on NHK WORLD-JAPAN/jibtv on 2023/2/17.

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for broadcast on NHK WORLD-JAPAN/jibtv.

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