The Ainu People and Exhibitions: Traditional Crafts on Display at the National Museum of Japanese History

Ainu crafts from the nineteenth century. (© Matsuura Takeshirō Memorial Museum)

Postcards from the 1912 colonial development exposition. (© National Ainu Museum)

Clothing worn by a participant in the 1912 colonial development exposition. (© Matsumoto City Museum)

A tray crafted by master artisan Kaizawa Utorentoku that won a bronze prize at the 1913 Meiji commemorative colonial development exposition. From a private collection. (© Nippon.com)

A diorama displayed at the 1950 Hokkaidō grand development exposition. (© National Ainu Museum)

“Santan nishiki,” a work by Batchelor Yaeko believed to have been exhibited at the 1950 Hokkaidō grand development exposition (Collection of Rikkyō Primary School, on deposit at the National Ainu Museum). (© Nippon.com)

A display featuring videos of performances at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, along with stage props and other items. (© Nippon.com)