The Song the Owl God Sang

Więcej o książce

Among the vanishing cultures of the world, the Ainu of north-east Asia are notable for their rich oral literature. In 1922, Chiri Yukie collected thirteen beautiful Ainu chants, marking the first time Ainu literature was written down by an Ainu. This book offers new English translations of her remarkable work, originally composed in yukar form, a chant style used by female storytellers in Hokkaido. These narratives explore the relationship between humans and the spirit world, with each yukar narrated by a spirit such as a fox, whale, or frog. Central to these tales is the owl god, Kotankor Kamui, whose songs articulate the covenant between humans and the spirits that provide sustenance. Other stories emphasize nature's balance, the respect owed to animal spirits, and the heroism of Okikirmui. In the early 20th century, Chiri Yukie, a descendant of female storytellers, began documenting these chants to preserve them. She developed a system for representing the Ainu language in the Roman alphabet and translated key tales into Japanese. Although she died young, her work became a sensation, introducing Ainu culture to a broader audience and inspiring efforts to preserve Ainu beliefs. This translation aims to maintain the richness of Chiri's original texts while providing a clear introduction to her life and the Ainu language, offering readers insight into this sophisticated spiritual tradition.