Cultural Experience Programs
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Cultural Experience Program Search
Cultural Experience Programs（9/1-10/31）
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- Museum Program
Ainu History and Culture
- National Ainu Museum
In this film, animals closely associated with Ainu culture—Blakiston’s fish owls, Steller’s sea eagles and tufted puffins—look back on the time when humans first settled the Japanese archipelago and explain the history and culture of the Ainu people. It’s easy to understand for children and adults alike.
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- Museum Program
Ainu Crafts Gain Worldwide Attention
- National Ainu Museum
The Ainu people have gained much attention since the 18th century. Today, museums in Europe and the United States house some 10,000 Ainu artifacts. This film features Ainu collections displayed at museums in Russia, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, and highlights present-day relations between Ainu and researchers in various countries.
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- Video
Indoor Films: Kamuy Yukar
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy two short films based on Ainu legends, with dynamic projection that makes use of the floor too.
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- Performing Arts
Traditional Performing Arts
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Sinot: Ainu Songs, Dancing and Stories
An introduction to a range of traditional songs, dances and musical performances. Discover the Ainu people's worldview and philosophy towards nature through a production that incorporates projection technology and footage of Hokkaido's beautiful landscapes.
Inomi: Ainu Prayer, Songs and Dancing
Find out about the worldview of the Ainu and their relationship with the kamuy (spirit-deities) through a story centered on the traditional iyomante ritual told through dancing and images. This creative program aims to connect the traditions of the past to the future. -
- Kiroroan: Upopoy at Night
Outdoor Projection Mapping Show: Kamuy Symphonia
- Cultural Exchange Hall
The creation myth told by the Ainu is brought to life in a dynamic projection mapping show. Enjoy a unique production that combines video, sound, shimmering objects and trees.
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- Performing Arts
Musical Performance
- Workshop
Two of the most iconic Ainu instruments are the mukkuri (a kind of mouth harp) and the tonkori zither. After hearing about the history and structure of these instruments, you’ll hear their beautiful melodies in a performance by Upopoy staff.
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- Language
Miniature Paper Puppet Theater: Pon Theater
- Workshop
This original paper puppet show is an enjoyable way to learn the Ainu language. Traditional Ainu stories and Ainu versions of familiar fairy tales will be read aloud as the scenes are played out by puppets.
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- Video
Semicircular Dome Screen Experience: Kamuy Eyes
- Workshop
The Ainu people have a close connection to animals and view them as spirit-deities (kamuy). See how kamuy view the world in a projection on a semicircular dome. With a 180-degree view vertically and horizontally, you’ll feel as if you’re running wild amid Hokkaido’s abundant nature yourself.
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- Crafts
Traditional Craft Demonstrations (Woodcarving)
- Crafts Studio
Wood carving is traditionally done by Ainu men, and is known as okkay kar pe in the Ainu language. Techniques include carving, cutting, shaving, hollowing and bending. This demonstration includes a talk and a video showing the beauty of this craft.
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- Crafts
Traditional Craft Demonstrations (Weaving/Embroidery/Knitting)
- Crafts Studio
Textile crafts are traditionally done by Ainu women, and are known as menoko kar pe in the Ainu language. Techniques include weaving, sewing and knitting. This demonstration includes a talk and a video showing the beauty of these crafts.
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- Performing Arts
Ainu Singing and Dancing
- Cikisani Square Stage
Ainu singing and dancing is traditionally performed during rituals and celebrations. This performance introduces you to a wide range of traditional performing arts from various regions, such as the Crane Dance, the Bow Dance and instrumental performances.
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- Life
Explanation of the Ainu Culture and Way of Life: Stories of the Kotan
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
In this recreation of a traditional Ainu kotan (village), you’ll hear about the traditional Ainu houses (cise) in the Shiraoi area and other aspects of Ainu life, along with the Ainu people’s connection with spirit-deities (kamuy).
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- Life
Who is TureppoN?
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn about turep (giant lily bulbs) and their role in the lives of the Ainu based on TureppoN, the mascot of Upopoy. TureppoN herself might even make an appearance!
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- Life
Spring-bow Demonstration and Talk
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
In the past, the Ainu people hunted with bows and traps. As you watch this demonstration, you’ll learn about the structure of the tools, where they are used and how the methods are adapted for each animal.
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- Life
Dugout Canoe Demonstration and Talk
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
See a cip (dugout canoe) that was built by Upopoy staff and placed on Lake Poroto and learn about the role these boats played in traditional Ainu life.
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- Life
See Inside a Cise
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
As you look inside a cise(traditional Ainu house), you’ll hear audio explanations about household traditions, connections with kamuy (spirit-deities) and living in a cise.
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- Life
Cise Building Exhibition
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
See reconstructions of cise (houses), built using traditional architectural techniques. This exhibition offers an up-close view of a cise, including the interior, the thatched roof and columns that cannot usually be seen. (Safety measures such as scaffolding and safety belts are used.)