"Shirokanipe Festival" in commemoration of Yukie Chiri

Miss. Yukie Chiri was a woman of the Ainu people. She was a Christian. The Ainu language has had no indigenous system of writing. She translated the Ainu song "Ainu God chanting Song” into Japanese. A Japanese distinguished scholar, Dr. Kyosuke Kindaichi found her and supported her work. He lived next to the current location of the Hongo Lutheran Church from 1916 to 1922 (Taisho 5 to 11 years). Yukie Chiri spent three months at Kindaichi’s House, and prepared for the publication of "Ainu God chanting Song." These three months were her last time on earth. She was called to Heaven on September 18^thbecause of heart attack, just on the night after the final proofreading of the Ainu God chanting Song.

Yukie Chiri was 19 years old. Remembering her life and achievements, we hold every year “Shirokanipe Festival” on September 18^that Hongo Lutheran Church. In March 2019, Hongo Lutheran Church made the commemorative panel that tells her work and life.