Hokkaido's Near-Forgotten Ainu People Who Thrived In Nature | The Mark Of Empire (Full Episode)

The video script introduces a Singaporean scholar of part-Malay, part-Chinese heritage who embarks on a journey to uncover the untold histories of the Japanese Islands and Korean Peninsula. The quest is to explore the rise and fall of four distinct kingdoms that have shaped unique cultures and identities still resonating today. The narrative is set against the backdrop of modern and historical elements, with a particular focus on the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido and their ancient traditions that have survived for over ten thousand years.

The script delves into the exploration of Hokkaido's capital city, Sapporo, showcasing its modern skyline and natural beauty. It introduces the indigenous Ainu people, highlighting their ancient culture established in the 13th century, with roots stretching back millennia. The Ainu's connection to nature, their belief in divine spirits, and their traditional way of life, including fishing, foraging, and hunting, are discussed. The narrative also touches upon the Ainu's social structure, their settlements called 'kotan,' and their respect for the natural world.

The video script describes a visit to a present-day version of an Ainu village at Lake Akan, which serves as a themed tourist village celebrating Ainu culture. The village, home to about 120 residents, is a hub for traditional crafts, wood carvings, and motifs that reflect the Ainu's rich heritage. The script also mentions the commercialization of the village, which has helped Ainu communities survive by turning their culture into a tourist attraction.

The script focuses on the art of wood carving within Ainu culture, with an interview with wood carver Kango Takiguchi. It discusses the symbolism behind Ainu crafts, such as the significance of owls as spiritual guardians of the village. The visitor also gets a hands-on experience in crafting an Ainu amulet, which is believed to provide protection and good luck.

The video script explores the historical aspect of trade among the Ainu people, revealing their engagement in lively trade with neighbors and the impact of new settlers, the Japanese. Artifacts from old Ainu graves indicate the influx of luxury goods from the south, including items made for Kyoto that found their way to Hokkaido. The script also discusses the Ainu's use of valuable marine resources in trade, such as kelp, which played a central role in their exchanges with the Japanese.

The script discusses the construction of Japanese forts on Hokkaido and the subsequent conflicts that arose between the Japanese and the Ainu. It details the story of an uprising led by an Ainu chieftain named Koshermain, who rallied the Ainu clans to overrun Japanese forts. However, the uprising was eventually quelled by a young samurai named Takeda Nobuhiro, who later became the leader of Japan's only feudal domain on Hokkaido, the Matsumae domain.

The video script outlines the expansion of the Matsumae domain and its impact on the Ainu people. The domain's establishment brought new settlers, merchants, and traders from Honshu, leading to increased trade and the export of goods like salmon, kelp, and herring. However, the Ainu became more dependent on imported goods, and a new law granting the Matsumae a trade monopoly led to resentment and the largest Ainu uprising in history, the Shakushain War.

The script recounts the events of the Shakushain War, a major conflict between the Ainu and the Japanese. Despite the Ainu's initial successes, the war ended with the surrender of Shakushain's forces and the assassination of the great Ainu leader. This marked the end of the Ainu's hope of ridding Hokkaido of Japanese influence and the beginning of a period of significant cultural and societal change for the Ainu people.

The video script describes the period of direct Japanese rule over Hokkaido, which led to colonial policies that suppressed the Ainu language and traditions. The Ainu were dispossessed of their land, and their population was significantly reduced due to new diseases and the depletion of local resources. The script also mentions the Ainu's struggle to maintain their cultural identity during this period of marginalization.

The script highlights the cultural revival and legal recognition of the Ainu people in modern times. It discusses the efforts to preserve and promote Ainu traditions, such as dance and crafts, and the impact of official support for these cultural expressions. The script also explores the Ainu's relationship with the natural world, their animal sacrifices, and the ecological lessons that can be learned from their ancient practices.

The video script concludes with a reflection on the Ainu's traditional respect for nature and the challenges of coexistence with the natural world in modern times. It discusses the comeback of Hokkaido's natural environment and the Ainu people, as well as the growing awareness of the need for sustainable practices. The script emphasizes the relevance of the Ainu's age-old way of living with nature as a vital lesson for the world today.