| Abstract [eng] |
The title of this paper is “Ainu Representation in Japanese Cinematography”. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the identity of the Ainu is depicted and represented in Japanese cinematography and how their autochthony is conveyed, how these representations have developed in response to changing societal attitudes and the political context, whether these images are authentic, respectful and help to understand Ainu heritage and culture better. Tasks - review the historical situation of the Ainu in Japan; describe the historical development of the Ainu Representation in Japanese cinematography, paying attention to trends and changes and the interaction with the social change of the situation of the Ainu; analyse how and which narratives are used related to Ainu and Ainu culture in Japanese cinematography; to explore how narratives in Japanese cinema shape the image of Ainu identity and Ainu culture. Using structural narrative and visual analyses of the films and anime "The Dagger of Kamui" (1985), "Unforgiven" (2013), "Golden Kamuy" (2018 – present) and "Ainu Mosir" (2020), it is concluded that Ainu representation in Japanese cinema has varied with changing social and political context. In earlier films such as "The Dagger of Kamui" and "Unforgiven", the Ainu are presented as "other", often exoticized and portrayed in simplistic stereotypes. In these films, one can see a shift from rejecting hybrid identities and promoting the idea of assimilation, to highlighting and embracing hybrid identities. The analysis also showed that while the Ainu are already recognised as autochthonous in Japan, recent works such as "Golden Kamuy" and "Ainu Mosir" are moving towards a more accurate and comprehensive depiction of the Ainu culture. New representations help to normalize the presence of the Ainu in the Japanese narrative. Today's Ainu problems are brought to the fore, and cultural resistance to the dominant culture can be seen. This paper can be useful for scholars who plan to analyze how marginalized communities are represented in cinematography, how representations evolve in response to changing societal attitudes, and how they convey communities' indigeneity. |
