The Ainu are Japans' largest ethnic minority. They are known for Shamanistic beliefs and practises which are considered part of the Siberian tradition. Shamanism is probably one of the sources of Shinto, the indigenous religion of the ethnic Japanese. Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Hall Chamberlain [1888] This is a collection of Ainu folktales, by the translator of the Kojiki. by John Batchelor [1888-1893] Another collection of Ainu folktales, by a Christian missionary who lived among them for many years; these translations are considered primary source material to this day. Yukara, epos of the Ainus by Kiyoko Miura. Kutune Shirka, The Ainu Epic tr. by Arthur Waley [1953] NOTE: The preceeding two texts have unknown copyright status. |
| Ainu Texts