二風谷アイヌ文化

アイヌ文化発祥の地であり、アイヌの伝統が色濃く残る平取町二風谷地区。アイヌ語では、「ニプタイ」木の生い茂るところという意味です。その名の通り、光あふれる春から夏、彩り深める秋、そして白い世界へと、四季折々の表情を豊かに映す沙流川流域の森で、自然を尊び、自然から学び、自然と共に生きる二風谷ならではの文化が、現在まで脈々と引き継がれています。アイヌ文化伝承を目的に復元されているチセ（家）は、その象徴的な存在。集落はコタンと呼ばれ、チセを建てる前後には儀礼が行われていました。二風谷では、チセの復元をはじめその儀礼、アイヌ語、アイヌ口承文芸、神々への祈りの儀式や祭り、アイヌ古式舞踊、生活用具、そして工芸品の技術などが、大切に伝えられています。アイヌ独特の文様や口承文芸（ユカラ）は、北海道遺産に選定されている他、代表的な工芸品である「二風谷イタ」（盆）と「二風谷アットゥシ」は、2013年に経済産業省の伝統工芸品に北海道で初めて指定されました。アイヌの生活様式や精神性と合わせて、あらためて二風谷の伝統工芸、アイヌ文化に対しての関心が高まっています。

The Nibutani district in the town of Biratori is the birthplace of Ainu culture and a place where Ainu traditions are still strong.In the Ainu language it is 'Niputai', which means 'place where trees grow in abundance'.As befits its name, this is a forest where the rich beauty of the changing seasons, from the glittering spring and summer to the vivid colors of autumn and the white world of winter, are reflected in the waters of the Sarugawa River. Here the Nibutani culture of respecting nature, and of learning from and living at one with the natural world, has been handed down unbroken to the present day.This is symbolized by the cise (houses) that are being restored with the aim of preserving and passing down Ainu culture.A village is called a kotan, and ceremonies were held before and after a cise was built.In Nibutani, ceremonies such as those for the restoration of cise, as well as the Ainu language, oral literature, rituals and ceremonies to pray to the gods, traditional Ainu dances, utensils and handicraft techniques are being carefully handed on.The unique designs and oral literature (yukar) of the Ainu have been designated as cultural assets of Hokkaido and, in addition, in 2013 the distinctive Nibutani-ita (wooden tray) and Nibutani-attoushi became the first handicrafts from Hokkaido to be designated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as traditional folk crafts.People are becoming more and more interested in taking a fresh look at Nibutani traditional folk crafts and Ainu culture, as well as the Ainu lifestyle and spirituality.

• 沙流川
• チセの建築作業
• チプサンケ
• カムイノミ
• マンロー邸

沙流川流域では、15世紀から17世紀（室町時代から江戸時代）にかけてのアイヌ文化の遺跡が発掘され、北海道考古学史上最も重要な遺跡の１つと言われています。オプシヌプリ（穴あき山）やウカエロシキ（クマの姿岩）などには、沙流川の神であり、アイヌにあらゆる生活の文化を教えたとされる神、オキクルミの伝説が言い伝えられ、アイヌの口承文芸を学ぶ上でも意味深く、神秘的なスポットが、二風谷にはたくさん点在しています。考古学・人類学者でもあった英国人医師N.G.マンロー博士は、1931年に軽井沢から二風谷へ移住。地域の人たちを献身的に診療しながら、二風谷アイヌ文化の研究に没頭し、イオマンテ（熊祭り）などの記録映像や著作を残しています。このように世界的に見ても、どこにもない独自の文化を継承してきた二風谷。「アイヌ文化博物館」「沙流川歴史館」「萱野茂二風谷アイヌ資料館」などで二風谷の歴史に思いを馳せながら、伝統的な手作り工芸品店＆工房が並ぶ「匠の道」で、現在活躍する伝承者たちの貴重な作品やこだわりに、どうぞたっぷりとふれてください。

Relics of Ainu culture from between the 15th and 17th centuries (from the Muromachi to the Edo eras) have been excavated in the Sarugawa river basin. They are said to be amongst the most important remains in Hokkaido's archaeological history.Legends of Okikurumi, the god of the Sarugawa River and the god who is said to have taught the Ainu all the techniques needed for their daily lives, were transmitted orally in places like Opsinupuri (Holed Mountain) and Ukaeroshki (Bear-shaped Rock). Many such mystical spots, that also hold deep meaning for the learning of Ainu oral literature, are dotted throughout Nibutani.The British physician, archaeologist and anthropologist Dr. N.G. Munro moved to Nibutani from Karuizawa in 1931. Whilst devotedly providing medical care for the local people, he immersed himself in researching Nibutani Ainu culture, and he has left a legacy of writings and film footage such as of the Iomante (Bear Festival).Nibutani has thus handed down its unique culture, the like of which can be found nowhere else in the world.Please enjoy gazing upon the history of Nibutani at places such as the Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum, Historical Museum of the Saru River and KAYANO SHIGERU'S Nibutani Ainu Museum, as well as taking a closer look at the precious and meticulous work of its inheritors, still active today in the traditional handicraft shops and ateliers that line Takumi no Michi.