The town of craftsLake Akan Onsen

This is a town where Ainu culture and crafts are passed down in daily life, enveloped in the bosom of Mother Nature.
We will describe the magical charm of this small town where excellent craftsmanship keep growing, through the eyes of up-and-coming creator, "karpe kuru," who lives by the lake of Akan.This is a town where Ainu culture and crafts are passed down in daily life, enveloped in the bosom of Mother Nature.
You won't have trouble finding numerous wood sculpture and Ainu patterns when you walk around Ainu Kotan, a town surrounding a sloping road, in Ainu Onsen.
This is where Ainu crafts are still alive in a plentiful way. Since this is a tourist spot, you will find rows of Ainu folk crafts in souvenir stores; ancient Ainu dances are performed every day at Ainu Theater Ikor. However, this town is not only for tourists.
This is where Ainu crafts are still alive in a plentiful way. Since this is a tourist spot, you will find rows of Ainu folk crafts in souvenir stores; ancient Ainu dances are performed every day at Ainu Theater Ikor. However, this town is not only for tourists.

Ainu Kotan itself is a community for Ainu people to live their daily lives. Ainu culture, which has been handed down through generations is truly profound.
There are so many songs and dances that have been handed down other than those being performed at the theater, while wood sculpture and embroideries do not only serve as souvenirs; originally, they have been taken over as part of the lineage's daily life. A ceremony called Kamuy-nomi, offering prayers to divinity, is observed as a communal ceremony; dishes using ingredients unique to Ainu are also served.
You feel as if you have slipped into another world even if you are now in Hokkaido, when you come in touch with each aspect of Ainu culture including many different areas such as garments, gourmets, and performing arts.
However, for Ainu people living there, this is just another usual life.
Historically, Lake Akan has been home to renowned artists. Toko Nuburi, Fujito Takeki, Takiguchi Masamitsu, all maestros of wood sculpture, used to live side by side, indicating this land's marvel.
They say this is where Sunazawa Bikky also devoted himself to the study of art.
It is surprising that although this is a small community of woods and lake where wild animals live fearlessly located within Akan-Mashu National Park--the most historic national park in Japan, designated in 1934--it produced so many craftsmen.
However, it is also not a coincidence that because it is a small town, a number of up-and-coming artists have grown on the doorstep of maestros, inheriting their playfulness.
Also, it is said that the ethos of Ainu people of Lake Akan is to vigorously interact with outsiders and embrace new matters. Maybe the land's spiritual climate is apt to produce unique talents.
Let's delve into the profound world of Lake Akan by coming in touch with new generation of craftsmen.