Inside out: The Ainu's tattooed smile - a podcast by Tehya F.

If a demon sees you, you'll be just fine. That is if you're an Ainu woman with tattoos! If you're not so lucky then just listen to this episode and I'm sure you'll be fine!

I'll tell you all about the history and cultural connection between the Ainu and their forever smiles. We'll also take a look at what happened to them and where the Ainu women are now.

Instagram: fortheloveof_history

On FTLH's Instagram for this episode I used the artwork from the amazing Manami you can follow her on Instagram and twitter

@manaminani

Further reading (General)

Image gallery

• http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/anthropology/anthro_sites/boone/ainu/gal_jp_ainua.html

Brief overview of Ainu history and culture

• https://www.tofugu.com/japan/ainu-japan/#:~:text=The%20Ainu%20people%20are%20historically,there%20are%20up%20to%20200%2C000. 

Further reading (Tattooing)

Brief tattoo history

• https://bodyartforms.com/blog/smiling-tattoos-ainu-women.asp

Very in depth look at the cultural and religious connection of the tattoos

• https://www.larskrutak.com/tattooing-among-japans-ainu-people/

The Meaning of Tattoos for Ainu Women (Presentation by Ainu artist)

• https://dajf.org.uk/event/the-meaning-of-tattoos-for-ainu-women

Vintage portraits of Ainu women

• https://www.tattoodo.com/a/tattoo-history-the-tattooed-ainu-women-of-japan-8745#:~:text=Vintage%20Portraits%20of%20the%20Ainu%20women%20of%20Japan%20with%20Tattooed%20lips&text=The%20indigenous%20people%20of%20northern,then%2C%20even%20as%20a%20profession.

Ainu cultural preservation links

foundation for the Ainu Culture (has sooooooo many links)

• https://www.ff-ainu.or.jp/web/english/details/biratori-ainu-culture-preservation-society.html

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Technology: Hokkaido Bureau

• https://www.mlit.go.jp/hkb/ainu_e.html

Ainu People Today - 7 Years after the Culture Promotion Law

• https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2004/06/ainu-people-today---7-years-after-the-culture-promotion-law.html
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Further episodes of For the Love of History

Further podcasts by Tehya F.

Website of Tehya F.