Rethinking ethnographic records of Seiichi Izumi with emphasis on Saru River research

Keywords

Ainu studies　,　cultural landscape　,　Iwor restoration projects　

Objectives

This research project will attempt to rethink the image of Ainu society presented by Seiichi Izumi in the National Museum of Ethnology’s “Seiichi Izumi Archives.” Specifically, by re-reading basic data with an emphasis on ethnographic records from the Saru River basin that led Seiichi Izumi to develop his model of Ainu society, including the concept of “iwor” in light of contemporary research results, its social significance, and so on, we will investigate the possibility of using it in new ways academically and socially.
In accordance with this objective, we will investigate the possibilities of new assessments and interpretations beyond simple criticism of politics and policies and verification of historical facts by reexamining Seiichi Izumi’s ethnographic records and data from various angles taking into account: 1) previous research results related to Ainu studies in cultural and social anthropology, history, archaeology, and other fields and 2) results of policies and initiatives to revive Ainu culture. Furthermore, we will consider the contribution and role that Seiichi Izumi’s ethnographic records can play in passing on and promoting Ainu culture, such as projects to “Revival of Ainu traditional life style”, which are now promoted in various places in Hokkaido including Biratori Town.

Research Results

This joint research project began with a discussion of each member’s awareness of the issues and areas of interest regarding the Seiichi Izumi Archive, which determined that the relevant issues could be summarized into three topics for investigation: (1) examination of the research approach of Seiichi Izumi, (2) comparison with existing research on Ainu studies, and (3) how to apply and utilize Seiichi Izumi’s data, particularly for the benefit of the Ainu people. Research reports by individual members of the project presented ways in which the archive could potentially be utilized, including (1) restoring the forests and rehabilitating the traditional living space of the Ainu people in the Nibutani district, (2) elucidating the role played by Izumi’s ethnographic research in Jeju Island and Daxing’anling as a precursor to his Saru River basin research, (3) comparing archaeological data obtained from surveys of buried cultural properties in the Saru River basin, (4) confirming Izumi’s use of social anthropological methods and perspectives in his Saru River basin research, and (5) examining how Izumi’s research could be utilized in today’s policies concerning the Ainu people.
Based on the above perspectives, the joint research project began by reading the materials in the Seiichi Izumi Archive according to each member’s specialization, interests, and experience, after classifying and linking different materials by content and topic. This process provided a variety of perspectives and possibilities for the Archive’s utilization, including in re-examining the academic history of Japanese cultural/social anthropology, in contributing to the promotion of Ainu culture, or for considering ways to apply this research for the benefit of/return resources to the Ainu people. The study revealed perspectives that had previously received little consideration, for example, (1) the criticism that the findings of Seiichi Izumi are merely a “work of fiction by a non-Ainu researcher” is not only a simple dichotomous and stereotypical stance, but also risks overlooking and ignoring the help and contributions of the Ainu people who served as informants to the study, and (2) the materials related to the Saru River basin study include a considerable amount of personal data that may not be known to the individuals concerned, including their relatives’ lineage, and that the release of such data to the public and the return of such data to the local communities must therefore be handled with great caution. However, all project members recognize that the insights obtained through this joint research project by no means represent an absolute answer or present all possible options, and that the most important aspect is that these possibilities are implemented and realized through future initiatives.