Evan Darrow

Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Baram, Uzi

Keywords

Ainu, Japan, Colonialism, Hokkaido

Area of Concentration

Social Sciences

Abstract

The Ainu have a unique place in the Modern Japanese State as the only non-Wajin, internal, indigenous ethnic group. At the same time, they share a common history with most indigenous groups, one of colonial domination. The start of this colonial endeavor by the Japanese state began, at the latest, in the sixteenth century C.E., and continues today. As a result of the colonial process, most Ainu have lower social, economic, and educational opportunities that the average Japanese citizen. To explore these points, this thesis analyzes the history of Japanese colonial policy through an Ainu context, and then explores the Ainu lifestyle and experiences throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. By doing so, this thesis challenges the rhetoric of a homogenous Japan and of the conception of the Ainu as a dying people.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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