The God Bears of Northern Japan with David Laichtman / Sophia University

Outland Japan

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In Episode 23 of the podcast I speak with David Laichtman - a doctoral candidate at Sophia University in Tokyo - about the historical and contemporary practice of bear worship in Japan by cultures including the Matagi in Tohoku and Ainu in Hokkaido. In doing so, this episode draws attention to the often-overlooked fact that Japan is home culturally and ethnically distinct people, many of whom are most identifiable in the snow country.

This episode includes discussion regarding traditional practices which result in the physical death of bears. We discuss how that occurs including ritualistic aspects of the death and the consumption of the bear. Given the nature of our conversation, this episode may not be suitable for all audiences and for that reason, I ask for your discretion as to whether you want to listen to it. David and I discuss peoples including the Matagi and Ainu cultures. Neither of us are Matagi or Ainu and we do not speak on their behalf. My questions are asked from a place of true interest and it is my sincere intention that all questions are appropriate and engaging, while David’s answers are based on his own research and observations.
Should you be interested to learn more, Mataginoyu and Matagi Museum, both in Akita Prefecture, profile the culture of the Matagi. Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Hokkaido is the largest public facility dedicated to the promotion of Ainu culture. As David suggests, it might be best to visit Upopoy in conjunction with or prioritise a visit to Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum, along with the Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum.
David will be a guest speaker at the event ‘New and Critical Perspectives on Global Studies’, presented by the Graduate School of Global Studies (GSGS) Sophia University on February 16th 2024. Make sure to checkout the episode page on the Snow Country Stories Japan website for more information, images and links.

Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

Capitole

1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. A Little of David’s Story (00:03:09)

3. Arctolatry: A (Very) Brief History (00:05:01)

4. Bear Worship in Japan: Where & By Whom Is It Practiced? (00:07:30)

5. The Matagi & The Ainu (00:09:49)

6. Matagi ‘Kuma Matsuri’ & Ainu Bear ‘Iomante’ / Part 1 (00:14:08)

7. Matagi ‘Kuma Matsuri’ & Ainu Bear ‘Iomante’ / Part 2 (00:22:41)

8. The Story of Japan: One People, One Culture? (00:26:23)

9. Matagi & Ainu Museums in Northern Japan (00:28:45)

10. Recommended Reading & Where to Follow David (00:35:02)

11. Episode Close (00:38:46)