2008/08/12

Ainu recognition by central gov't

Japan Recognizes Indigenous Group
by Anthony Kuhn

All Things Considered, August 12, 2008 · The Ainu are an indigenous people who have recently been recognized by the Japanese government. The group has come a long way since the Japanese government tried to assimilate it by force. The Ainu are now seen as a model of man living in harmony with nature.

2008/08/06

Japanland - collected short video segments + studyguide online

Lots of ethnographic, everyday life segments, as well as the Traditional Arts segments, shot mainly in 2004-5, but vividly relevant well into the future. Here is the blurb at the newly added set of studyguides:
 
"JAPANLAND is an action-packed and entertaining journey into a side of Japan that few outsiders get to see. It explores many unique facets of Japanese society, such a sumo wrestlers, swordmakers, ancient festivals, mountain mystics, samurai mounted archers, geishas, Buddhist monks, and even its homeless population and urban youth.
JAPANLAND is a 4-hour American Public television series,
available on DVD."
 
  The study guide is at www.japanlandstudyguide.com