Ainu through Objects
Ainu communities maintain robust oral traditions, many of which were not recorded until encounters with outside peoples, whether Japanese colonists or Western missionaries and academics. It is therefore a challenge, particularly at museums without dedicated Asia specialists, to thoroughly communicate information about Ainu history through the material and archaeological items commonly held by their institutions. These pages explore holdings from the Fowler Museum at UCLA, specifically items that were created by Ainu themselves. Examining these materials allows us to gain a more direct glimpse into the Ainu life and culture.
