Hope everyone is having a good day!
With family for July 4th and did anyone in California feel that earthquake from Southern California. That one went a little longer than usual but fortunately, the epicenter was in a remote area of California.
Anyway, a short post for today. This one is about the Y.W.C.A.’s film from their trip to Japan back in 1919. The silent film was rather interesting because you can see how Japanese villagers looked at that time, the Ainu people and their celebration with a bear for their festival and a visit to Nikko and more!
For me, the Ainu footage was impressive to see.
For those not familiar with the Ainu people, they are indigenous people of Japan and Russia and are known as hunter-gatherers. The Ainu and Japanese have had a difficult period from disputes that led to war during the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) and revolts that transpired in the 1600’s and 1700s.
Because the Ainu people are indigenous people of Japan with their own distinct language, religion and culture, there has been discrimination towards the Ainu. In fact, Japan has not yet officially and legally recognized the Ainu people as the indigenous people of Japan but a bill was introduced for the first time to recognize them as indigenous people of Japan and the bill was submitted to the Diet.
But for the most part, check out this video and catch a glimpse of certain small villages in Japan, how many young ladies died in factories and worked 12-hour shifts and more. It’s very interesting to get a glimpse of Japan through the Y.W.C.A’s footage from 1919.
