[National Ainu Museum] 10th Special Exhibition Related Symposium “Past and Future of Overseas Ainu Collection Research” Held
Ainu Cultural Foundation Press Release: October 18, 2025 The National Ainu Museum held a symposium in conjunction with its 10th special exhibition, “The Past and Future of Research on Overseas Ainu Collections.” Challenges and Prospects for Future Ainu Collection Research
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Exhibition, “Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the Museum’s Opening,” will be held at the Hokkaido Prefectural Citizens’ Activity Center (Kaderu 2.7). A symposium titled “Past and Future of Research on Overseas Ainu Collections” was held in connection with the “Vienna World Exposition and Ainu Collections.” Overview Overseas Ainu collections have played an important role in the development of international academic exchange on Ainu culture. Their existence gradually came to light in Japan from the late 1980s, and from the 1990s to the 2000s, intensive field research was conducted in museums in Germany, North America, Russia, and elsewhere. The results of these overseas research have had a major impact on Ainu cultural research in Japan, leading to the rediscovery of previously unknown aspects of Ainu culture overseas. This indicates the potential for significant contributions to the cultural revival and new creation of the Ainu people. This symposium will look back on the research on Ainu collections conducted overseas to date, and consider the challenges and prospects for future collection research. Keynote Speech: Josef Kleiner (Professor Emeritus, University of Bonn)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/122187/70/122187-70-3253c05c06f275286d1e3835161dcdde-2000×1226.jpg Lecture by Josef Kleiner Western Views of the Ainu: The Role of Research and Collection Development Based on records about the Ainu from around the 16th century, we introduced the image of the Ainu in Europe. We also discussed when and how Ainu materials were brought to Europe. Keynote speech Mr. Toshikazu Sasaki
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/122187/70/122187-70-8b829f811c5ac434dc2e7dc915999963-2000×1333.jpg Lecture by Toshikazu Sasaki The Significance of Researching Overseas Ainu Collections The lecture focused on paintings depicting Ainu people overseas. Although it is necessary to pay attention to the perspective of the artist when observing the paintings, he pointed out that the Ainu culture of the time can be seen from the depictions in the paintings. Individual Case: Hans-Dieter Oelschläger (Former Associate Professor, University of Bonn)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/122187/70/122187-70-1be2fa59d642b8792e1d68a2c81e1d61-2000×1334.jpg Lecture by Hans-Dieter Oilschläger Current Status of Research on Ainu Collections in Germany Ainu materials in Europe have been collected in museums, exhibitions, and other venues. Using examples, we also demonstrated that information about the Ainu people can be obtained not only from folk implements but also from travelogues written in Europe. Conclusion
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/122187/70/122187-70-70395d1404d203c56daa37197c98f7bf-2000×1301.jpg Symposium Scenes Approximately 60 people participated, and many were eagerly taking notes. Based on our previous research and the content of this symposium, our embassy plans to conduct overseas research in the future. We hope you will look forward to future research and exhibitions at the National Ainu Museum.
