Ainu Wood Carving Experience in Hokkaido

Learn about Ainu crafts and traditional Ainu patterns through wood carving. Visit "Lake Akan Ainu Kotan", a lakeside village of the Ainu people near Lake Akan Onsen. Here you can enjoy and explore Ainu crafts, performing arts and visit a museum in a traditional cottage. The streets are lined with folk crafts shops and restaurants, where you can find a variety of handmade wooden products such as accessories, tableware, figurines etc for sale. Ainu woodwork such as accessories and tableware uses traditional carved patterns handed down by generations since ancient times. In this wood carving experience, you learn and create the same Ainu patterns on a wooden charm. This charm is shaped like a traditional Ainu musical instrument called a "Tonkori". Tonkori in general, is known as an instrument of the Karafuto Ainu people, however at Lake Akan, you can hear it played on sightseeing boats and in the Akan Lake Ainu Theater "Ikor".

You will start the workshop with a lecture on how to use the chisel and carve. The Ainu don't "carve" the wood, but rather "have it carved". It is a manifestation of respect for trees and is called "Shirikoro Kamuy" in the Ainu language. The meaning is "God who has the earth". The Ainu hold a deep respect for nature knowing that trees protect the ground, grass grows, and animals live there. Each Ainu word spoken during the experience is imbued with the Ainu spirit. While carving wood, you will become immersed in Ainu world and experience the Ainu spirit.

After experiencing Ainu wood carving techniques, you can choose to create a pendant by combining leather cord and beads, or attach a chain to create a key chain. Take it home with you and remember the Ainu of Lake Akan.