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Japan: Ainu Songs

Various Artists
Japan: Ainu Songs The Ainu people, indigenous to the Hokkaido Island of Japan and the Sakhalin and Kuril islands of Russia, presently number in the range of 15,000 to 25,000. Despite geographic proximity to the Japanese and other ethnic groups inhabiting the Russian Far East, the Ainu language and customs are strikingly different from those of their neighbors. Singing is a major feature of Ainu music and part of the daily tribal life, usually presented as either an upopo (sitting song) or rimse (dancing song). Their spirited vocal sounds often imitate animal cries, bird songs, and insect sounds, due to animistic beliefs that elements of nature, plants, and animals are gods. This album illustrates a cross-section of Ainu life, including songs for religious ceremony, working, ritual, and entertainment.

Track Listing

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101
Upopo (1) Kiyo Kurokawa, Teru Nishizama 02:08
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102
Upopo (2) Kiyo Kurokawa, Teru Nishizama 02:06
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103
Iyuta-upopo Kiyo Kurokawa, Teru Nishizama 02:55
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104
Rimse Yoshi Shikato, Akino Fuchise 02:47
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105
Upopo (3) Kiyo Kurokawa, Teru Nishizama 02:27
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106
Horippa Kiyo Kurokawa, Teru Nishizama 02:23
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107
Kamuy-yukar Yoshi Shikato 03:55
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108
Yukar Yoshi Shikato 03:46
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109
Sinotcha / Tus Sato Huse 04:45
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110
Tus Sato Huse 13:23
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111
Yaysama (1) Akino Fuchise 01:28
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112
Yaysama (2) Kiyo Kurokawa 02:07
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113
Chisi-sinotcha Teru Nishizama 02:17
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114
Ihumke Kiyo Kurokawa 02:12