Ainu in Japan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Ainu people lived in the northern regions of Japan and in parts of Russia. Most say that the closest Ainu relatives are from Tibet or the Andaman Islands off of India, although testing has shown that they could have descended from several other groups as well. The Ainu speak their own language, Ainu. It is known as a language isolate, having no known relationship with any other languages. It is a language unique to the Ainu culture and people.

The Ainu's first contact with the Japanese was around the 13th century. Between the 1600s and 1800s the Ainu traded with the Japanese. They increasingly became dependent upon the Japanese and this led to several Ainu revolts. The Japanese also brought new diseases into the Ainu community.

During the Meiji Restoration the area where the Ainu lived (Hokkaido) was annexed by the Japanese. Land was taken from the Ainu. The Ainu were labeled "former Aborigines." The result was the loss of their autonomy and indigenous standing. The assimilation into Japanese culture had begun. The Ainu people were not officially recognized or restated until June 6, 2008.
The Ainu were originally fishermen and hunters. The Ainu lived off of bear, fox, wolf, fish, vegetables, herbs, and roots. The men ate with chopsticks and the women ate with wooden spoons. Their homes were huts located beside water. Each Ainu "village" consisted of 4-10 families. The average age of marriage was 17-18 for men and 15-16 for women. When children were born they were not given names until around 2-3 years old.

The Ainu have a creation story that is similar to what we read in Genesis. They believe that in the beginning there was a great slushy quagmire of mud all over the earth. There was no life and it was cold and desolate. Then the creator sent a water-wagtail (a songbird) to earth. The bird saw what a mess it was, so he fluttered over the water, trampled upon the muddy earth, beat the dirt down with his tail, and eventually separated the waters from the land. The waters became oceans, and the land was gradually raised to float over the waters. Thus the Ainu call the world "floating earth."


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the Ainu are citizens of Japan. Like other ethnic minorities, they are never completely accepted in this uni-cultural nation. Their ancient culture is dying.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The word Ainu means, "Nature." The word "Kamuy" is used for everyday things and also things beyond their control. These gods include animals, household objects, and nature. The hierarchy of the religion consisted of grandmother earth (fire), mountain animals, sea animals, and finally everything else. The bear held a special place in the Ainu religion. Ainu sacrificed animals. Also, tattooing was a part of their custom. Many woman from a young age had tattoos around their mouths. During the Meiji Restoration, they were forced to leave behind animal sacrifices and the art of tattooing.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ainu are often marginalized in Japanese society. Their language is also disappearing and it is on the endangered language list. Their greatest need today, besides a Savior, is the preservation of their culture.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Ainu language would be preserved and that those who still speak the language would have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.
Pray that those who still practice the Ainu religion would come to know and worship the one, true God.
Pray that God would raise up Ainu leaders who would help preserve the traditions and at the same time introduce Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Ainu people.


Scripture Prayers for the Ainu (Japan) in Japan.


References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people
http://goo.gl/3jQg8
http://goo.gl/PFlTZ


Profile Source:   Rachel Routt  

People Name General Ainu (Japan)
People Name in Country Ainu (Japan)
Natural Name Ainu
Pronunciation EYE-noo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 13,000
Population all Countries 13,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 10205
ROP3 Code 100158
Country Japan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Japan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Map of Ainu (Japan) in Japan

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
89.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
10.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ainu (Japan)
Language Code ain   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Japanese
Primary Language Ainu (Japan)
Language Code ain   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Japanese
People Groups Speaking Ainu (Japan)

Primary Language:  Ainu (Japan)

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1889-1896)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1897-1981)
Bible-Complete No
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Ainu YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Ainu YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Japanexperterna.se - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Rachel Routt 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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