Altar (nusasan)
HI 5345 Nibutani, Hokkaido
The window on the east wall of a traditional Ainu house represented the doorway for their gods. The altar was called nusasan and was set up outdoors, where it was visible through the doorway window. Shaved-wood objects called inaw were set up around the altar. This exhibit reproduces the final scene of the Iomante, an important ritual to send souls of bears to the spirit world (Kamuy Mosir). The inaw of different shapes and sizes were devoted to different deities.