"Apopoi," a base for transmitting Ainu culture, was first unveiled. Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido

First release of the Ainu culture transmission base "Upopoi" at 15:14 on June 9, Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido

The National Museum of Upopoi, a base for transmitting Ainu culture in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, whose operation has been postponed due to the new coronavirus, was unveiled for the first time at a public preview for the townspeople.

The Ainu culture's hub "symbiotic symbol space" = nickname Upopoi has been postponed twice due to the new coronavirus, and on the 9th, a preview for local people began.

The "National Museum of Ainu People", which was unveiled for the first time, is the first national museum in northern Japan and houses about 10,000 Ainu crafts and materials.

Among them, the wooden boat "Itaomacipu*" of Ainu people found in Akkeshi town is about 6 meters long and is believed to have been used for fishing in the sea in the Edo period.

On the outdoor stage, Ainu traditional dances, which are also registered as UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage, and musical instruments called "mukkuri" were performed.

The preview will be held until the 14th of this month, and the official schedule will be decided by the government based on the infection status of the new coronavirus nationwide.

"I'm finally here," said President Kato Tadashi of the Hokkaido Ainu Association. "I want to spread the Ainu culture that is transmitted throughout Hokkaido, based in Upopoi."

In addition, Mayor Yasuhiko Toda of Shiraoi Town said, “I was able to visit with confidence because the measures against infectious diseases are thoroughly implemented. The official opening date is still undecided, but I think that Ainu culture will be transmitted domestically and internationally through Upopoi. I'm looking forward to it."

* “P” is a small notation.