In 2008, Naomi Mizoguchi became a frequent visitor of Biratori, Japan. There, she came in contact with a fading Ainu cultural preservation group and learned about the roots of the culture and the experience of these few elders’ lives during the colonial period. In 2015, she began filming her trips to Biratori, hoping to aid the group in the preservation of Ainu culture and language before these pioneers in Ainu preservation passed away. Four notable elders tell their stories and share their knowledge of craft, song, woodsmanship, and history to help cement the Ainu resurgence they and others of their generation began in the 80s and 90s.
Ainu - Indigenous People of Japan is first and foremost a serious ethnography. It uses the lives and words of four Biratori elders as a touchstone for the greater Ainu culture, weaving in archival footage and pertinent imagery to help elucidate their meanings in a slightly esoteric fashion. We see the daily life of these people, their attempts to preserve and rebuild a culture dwindling as an effect of colonial efforts, and learn the local history, both through personal stories and through oral history passed down through generations.
Some may find this format somewhat boring, but for those most interested in exploring other cultures, Ainu - Indigenous People of Japan will be a smash hit. It is sensitive and informative, pensive and attentive, just like a good ethnographic documentary should be. The documentary seeks to preserve the words and images of these elders as a primary source for future generations, both to keep Ainu culture and its language alive and to help legitimize the struggle of these often overlooked indigenous people. Ainu - Indigenous People of Japan will be a perfect addition to any advanced Japanese history class or any course looking at indigenous cultures across the world. Consider this documentary most highly if you run a collection that serves a large Asian Studies department. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public library shelves?
Ainu - Indigenous People of Japan is best placed on cultural documentary shelves due to its focus on the indigenous Ainu culture and their struggle for preservation. The documentary is a deep dive into Ainu history, language, and traditions, making it a fitting resource for those interested in global indigenous cultures or ethnic studies. Additionally, it could also be placed in the Japanese-language section because the documentary deals directly with the indigenous peoples of Japan and is relevant to those studying the country’s regional history and cultural diversity. The cross-disciplinary nature of the documentary—merging cultural, historical, and ethnographic elements—also makes it a useful resource for people researching Japan's indigenous groups specifically.
What kind of college instructor could use this title?
This documentary would be a valuable resource for college instructors in a number of disciplines:
This film would also be beneficial in language courses for Japanese students, as it provides rich material in terms of Ainu language and culture that can serve as a supplemental resource for language learners and for those interested in linguistics or cultural studies.
Anthropology and Ethnography Professors: Those teaching courses related to indigenous cultures or ethnographic methods could use this documentary as a primary source to explore Ainu culture and language, showing students real-world examples of the complexities of cultural preservation, colonial impacts, and oral history.
Japanese Studies Instructors: Professors teaching courses on the history, society, and culture of Japan could incorporate this film to discuss the Ainu people specifically, offering a more nuanced perspective of Japanese history that often remains overlooked in mainstream discussions. This would also be ideal for advanced-level courses focusing on the northern regions of Japan, such as Hokkaido, and the indigenous peoples who lived there before colonization.
Indigenous Studies Instructors: This documentary provides an in-depth look at indigenous experiences and the modern-day challenges of cultural survival and revival, making it highly relevant for courses focused on indigenous rights, cultural preservation, or comparative indigenous studies.