The Teachings of Our Huci, Fuyuko Yoshimura, an Inheritor of Ainu Culture in Mukawa

• Published in: National Ainu Museum Journal Vol. 2022; no. 1; pp. 56 - 68
• Main Authors: Oshino, Akemi, Akiyama, Rika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: National Ainu Museum 30.09.2022
• Subjects: Ainu Culture of Mukawa; Ainu Language of Mukawa; Educational Activities; Traditional Ainu Dance of Mukawa; Trainings for Inheritors of Culture; UPOPOY National Ainu Museum and Park
• ISSN: 2758-2760; 2758-5611
• DOI: 10.57545/namjournal.3

Yoshimura Fuyuko huci (female elder) is an inheritor of Ainu culture and tradition from the Mukawa region. She spent her childhood in a traditional cise (house), where she grew up listening to her father and mother speaking the Ainu language. Later in her life, she contributed to spread language, traditional performing arts, and lifestyle. Fuyuko huci often traveled with her elder sister, Araida Seino huci, to various locations to give oral performances of kamuy yukar and sharing information about other Ainu customs. In this paper, the authors, who have inherited the traditional cultural knowledge of Fuyuko huci as family members (granddaughters), report on the Ainu culture transmitted by Fuyuko huci, and compare it with research resources related to her. The authors also introduce two programs that are part of the educational cultural programs at Upopoy: National Ainu Museum & Park, where both of the authors work. In these programs, initiated by the authors and supported by the Cultural Promotion Department and the National Ainu Museum, the authors utilize their living knowledge to introduce the Ainu culture of Mukawa region to visitors. By analyzing their own programs, this paper aims to create a further knowledge resource through which they can understand and inherit the teachings of Fuyuko huci.