Native America - Ainu

Not many people know about the Ainu of Japan. They are a minority race, the indigenous people of Northern Japan. They are similar, in their genetics and culture, to the Siberian and Northern American peoples.

"the Portland Japanese Garden hosted a special exhibition in honor of the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Portland and Sapporo, Japan. Entitled Parallel Worlds, the exhibition featured exquisitely designed traditional ceremonial robes created by Ainu artists from the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and Native American artists of the Pacific Northwest. This groundbreaking exhibition became the first to juxtapose the textile arts of indigenous cultures on both sides of the north Pacific."

Some mesmerising Ainu music...