The Ainu and Their Folklore

Featuring the popular stories of the Ainu people of Hokkaido, Japan, The Ainu and Their Folklore includes the traditional creation accounts of the group. These creation myths share common characteristics with those from other Japanese religions and belief systems as well as those popular in Central Asian and Native American societies.  While there are several different versions of the myths, the general story features a creator deity who sends a small bird, typically a wagtail, to Earth to create small landmasses in the watery mass. The bird magically creates firm earth by flying above the water and packing bits of dirt in specific areas by stomping its feet and tail. After earth was created, the various Ainu stories differ greatly. Some myths hold that the first ancestor of the Ainu was a bear, while other myths feature the creation of the first man and woman, Okikurumi and Turesh, whose first son was the first Ainu.