Research Diary 3 for Oct. 14th

This week,I researched about Shigeru Kayano and Ainu people’s idea of Kamuy. Shigeru Kayano was a native speaker of the hisima dialect, and he was also the first Ainu member of the House of Councilors, from 1994 to 1998. When he was a member of the Diet, I was just a little child, but I remember his speaking in Ainu language at a committee and he got a lot of jeers, I saw that on TV. He made a lot of impact on Ainu culture. He contributed to enact the Ainu culture promotion act (アイヌ新法). And he battled with government in the court, it is called Nibutani dam case, it was the first time for Ainu people to be accepted as indigenous people in Hokkaido. And He founded Ainu culture museum and a radio station broadcast in Ainu language.Ainu people have myths of Kamuy, kamuy is not God in Christianity, kamuy is more similar to gods in Norse mythology or myriads of gods in Japan. Kamuys are not only gods or divine spirits, but also include natural spirits and forces, like fire and thunder. So I think Greek mythology is more abstract to say similar to Kamuy.

I’m very interesting other culture of Ainu people, I will research what I haven’t research in the Spring semester by next week.

(227 words)

萱野れい子著・須藤功編「写真で綴る萱野茂の生涯 アイヌの魂と文化を求めて」社団法人農山漁村文化協会 2008

萩中美枝「アイヌ文化への招待 女性と口承文芸」三弥井書店 2007

財団法人アイヌ民族博物館監修「アイヌ文化の基礎知識」草風館 1993