This is a pair of vintage Ainu wooden doll carved by Imakichi Akibe Ekashi 秋辺今吉, a respected Ainu elder who passed away in 2010. He was a key figure in preserving and promoting Ainu culture. His works are now extremely rare and considered highly valuable cultural artifacts.
Imakichi Akibe (Ekashi) was a prominent Ainu elder representing the Ainu culture of the Lake Akan region in Hokkaido. Born on March 24, 1922, he was active in cultural preservation until the early 2000s.
He was one of the founding members of the Akan Ainu Kotan (a traditional Ainu village) and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of local Ainu residents and preserve their culture. Akibe Ekashi was actively involved in the creation of traditional objects such as Inau (prayer sticks used in the Ainu ritual Kamuy-nomi), Chise (traditional houses), and dugout canoes. He also served as an Ainu language instructor and was the vice director of the Akan Yukar Theater, promoting Ainu culture both in Japan and internationally—through performances in cities like Paris and Hong Kong, which helped introduce Ainu traditions to the world.
This doll handcrafted using techniques derived from Inau—ritual wooden offerings historically used in Ainu ceremonies for purposes such as ensuring household safety, bringing good fortune, warding off evil, and in bear festivals. The material is willow wood, a tree revered in Ainu culture for its association with eternity. The dolls exhibit detailed craftsmanship with symbolic carvings and are wrapped with natural fiber belts.
