An elderly Ainu woman in traditional dress shows off her prized necklaces of glass beads inside her home on the island of Hokkaido in Japan.
An elderly Ainu woman shows off her prized traditional necklaces of glass beads inside her home on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan. The designs embroidered on her clothing are to ward off evil spirits. There were only 300 pure-blooded Ainu (pronounced I-noo) still living when this historical photograph was taken in 1962. Since that time the Ainu have assimilated into Japanese society and their age-old customs, ceremonies and crafts are only kept alive in special villages for tourists. The Ainu were officially recognized as indigenous people of Japan in 2008.
Size: 3406px × 5190px
Location: Hokkaido, Japan, East Asia
Photo credit: © Michele and Tom Grimm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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