Ainu Ekashina
@ekashina.bsky.social
Voice of the North JAPAN.
Sharing spiritual music and gentle words inspired by Ainu heritage, nature, and ancestral memory 🌿
A fusion of sound, silence, and prayer.
🎧 YouTube → youtube.com/@AI-AINU
#Ainu #SpiritualMusic #Healing #IndigenousCulture
Sharing spiritual music and gentle words inspired by Ainu heritage, nature, and ancestral memory 🌿
A fusion of sound, silence, and prayer.
🎧 YouTube → youtube.com/@AI-AINU
#Ainu #SpiritualMusic #Healing #IndigenousCulture
Pinned
Ainu Ekashina
@ekashina.bsky.social
· Dec 24
AI AINU
Reviving Ainu culture through music — reimagining its traditions, stories, and spirit for the modern age.
🌠 Music: Every Tue, Thu & Sat 20:00 (JST)
🌠 Ekashina’s Diary Shorts: Every Sun
🌠 Soundtracks: ...
www.youtube.com
I share Ainu words, sounds, and healing music 🌿
Each phrase carries a way of seeing the world.
🎧 Full videos & music:
👉 YouTube link
www.youtube.com/@AI-AINU
Each phrase carries a way of seeing the world.
🎧 Full videos & music:
👉 YouTube link
www.youtube.com/@AI-AINU
Shakemaru is a mascot of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Inspired by salmon returning upstream, it represents players coming home. A Golden Kamuy collaboration featured Ainu motifs and limited goods. In Hokkaido, salmon, baseball, and stories always come back home.
January 23, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Shakemaru is a mascot of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Inspired by salmon returning upstream, it represents players coming home. A Golden Kamuy collaboration featured Ainu motifs and limited goods. In Hokkaido, salmon, baseball, and stories always come back home.
Seicomart is a local Hokkaido convenience store, yet known nationwide.
Its e-money, Pecoma, comes from an Ainu word meaning “cow(Peco).”
Locals call it “Sekoma.”
Ainu language and culture quietly live on in daily Hokkaido life—once you notice, it’s fun ✨
Its e-money, Pecoma, comes from an Ainu word meaning “cow(Peco).”
Locals call it “Sekoma.”
Ainu language and culture quietly live on in daily Hokkaido life—once you notice, it’s fun ✨
January 22, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Seicomart is a local Hokkaido convenience store, yet known nationwide.
Its e-money, Pecoma, comes from an Ainu word meaning “cow(Peco).”
Locals call it “Sekoma.”
Ainu language and culture quietly live on in daily Hokkaido life—once you notice, it’s fun ✨
Its e-money, Pecoma, comes from an Ainu word meaning “cow(Peco).”
Locals call it “Sekoma.”
Ainu language and culture quietly live on in daily Hokkaido life—once you notice, it’s fun ✨
At Lake Akan, KAMUY LUMINA is a magical night walk blending Ainu mythology and digital art. Light, sound, and song guide you through the forest. Closed in winter—check the official site for dates. 🌿✨
January 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
At Lake Akan, KAMUY LUMINA is a magical night walk blending Ainu mythology and digital art. Light, sound, and song guide you through the forest. Closed in winter—check the official site for dates. 🌿✨
“non-no” is a famous Japanese fashion magazine.
Its name is said to come from the Ainu language, where nonno means “flower.”
The word’s sound and meaning inspired the magazine’s name.
First published in 1971, it has been loved for decades 🌸
Its name is said to come from the Ainu language, where nonno means “flower.”
The word’s sound and meaning inspired the magazine’s name.
First published in 1971, it has been loved for decades 🌸
January 19, 2026 at 10:13 PM
“non-no” is a famous Japanese fashion magazine.
Its name is said to come from the Ainu language, where nonno means “flower.”
The word’s sound and meaning inspired the magazine’s name.
First published in 1971, it has been loved for decades 🌸
Its name is said to come from the Ainu language, where nonno means “flower.”
The word’s sound and meaning inspired the magazine’s name.
First published in 1971, it has been loved for decades 🌸
Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city, comes from the Ainu words yam wakka nay, meaning a stream of cold water. Clear springs once flowed here. From Cape Soya, Sakhalin is only 43 kilometers away. The name still holds memories of the northern land and sea.
January 18, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city, comes from the Ainu words yam wakka nay, meaning a stream of cold water. Clear springs once flowed here. From Cape Soya, Sakhalin is only 43 kilometers away. The name still holds memories of the northern land and sea.
Today, Niseko is known as a global snow resort, often with more visitors from abroad than locals. Its name comes from the Ainu words nisey ko an pet, meaning a river flowing toward a steep cliff. The land is still called by the same name today.
January 17, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Today, Niseko is known as a global snow resort, often with more visitors from abroad than locals. Its name comes from the Ainu words nisey ko an pet, meaning a river flowing toward a steep cliff. The land is still called by the same name today.
At Lake Tōya, an Ainu legend tells of the dragon god Rabushi Oyau—once a winged serpent, later purified and reborn as the lake’s guardian.
Its spirit still lives on in local festivals and lore.
Its spirit still lives on in local festivals and lore.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
At Lake Tōya, an Ainu legend tells of the dragon god Rabushi Oyau—once a winged serpent, later purified and reborn as the lake’s guardian.
Its spirit still lives on in local festivals and lore.
Its spirit still lives on in local festivals and lore.
An Ainu proverb says,
“Kanto orowa yak sak no arankep sinep ka isam.”
It means, “Nothing is sent down from the heavens without a purpose.”
When you feel lost, this gentle wisdom reminds you:
You also have a role to fulfill.
Be grateful for life and cherish today 🌿
“Kanto orowa yak sak no arankep sinep ka isam.”
It means, “Nothing is sent down from the heavens without a purpose.”
When you feel lost, this gentle wisdom reminds you:
You also have a role to fulfill.
Be grateful for life and cherish today 🌿
January 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM
An Ainu proverb says,
“Kanto orowa yak sak no arankep sinep ka isam.”
It means, “Nothing is sent down from the heavens without a purpose.”
When you feel lost, this gentle wisdom reminds you:
You also have a role to fulfill.
Be grateful for life and cherish today 🌿
“Kanto orowa yak sak no arankep sinep ka isam.”
It means, “Nothing is sent down from the heavens without a purpose.”
When you feel lost, this gentle wisdom reminds you:
You also have a role to fulfill.
Be grateful for life and cherish today 🌿
Akan Lake Ainu Kotan is one of Hokkaido’s largest Ainu settlements, located in the Akan Lake hot spring area. About 120 people live here, preserving traditions through crafts, song, and daily life, where past and present quietly connect.
January 14, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Akan Lake Ainu Kotan is one of Hokkaido’s largest Ainu settlements, located in the Akan Lake hot spring area. About 120 people live here, preserving traditions through crafts, song, and daily life, where past and present quietly connect.
The name Otaru comes from the Ainu word Otarunai.
During the Edo period, it thrived as a herring-fishing area and an Ainu trading hub.
Ota (sand) + oru (inside) + nai (river) means
“a river flowing through a sandy shore.”
Otaru is a name born directly from the landscape 🌿
During the Edo period, it thrived as a herring-fishing area and an Ainu trading hub.
Ota (sand) + oru (inside) + nai (river) means
“a river flowing through a sandy shore.”
Otaru is a name born directly from the landscape 🌿
January 13, 2026 at 10:16 PM
The name Otaru comes from the Ainu word Otarunai.
During the Edo period, it thrived as a herring-fishing area and an Ainu trading hub.
Ota (sand) + oru (inside) + nai (river) means
“a river flowing through a sandy shore.”
Otaru is a name born directly from the landscape 🌿
During the Edo period, it thrived as a herring-fishing area and an Ainu trading hub.
Ota (sand) + oru (inside) + nai (river) means
“a river flowing through a sandy shore.”
Otaru is a name born directly from the landscape 🌿
At the tip of Hokkaido’s Shakotan Peninsula, Cape Kamui holds a tragic legend. Charenka, daughter of an Ainu chieftain, loved the fleeing warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune. When he left without farewell, she followed him to the cape, saw his fading ship, and became Kamui Rock—an unfulfilled love.
January 12, 2026 at 10:10 PM
At the tip of Hokkaido’s Shakotan Peninsula, Cape Kamui holds a tragic legend. Charenka, daughter of an Ainu chieftain, loved the fleeing warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune. When he left without farewell, she followed him to the cape, saw his fading ship, and became Kamui Rock—an unfulfilled love.
If you’re at New Chitose Airport, don’t miss Hokkaido Cuisine Yuck ✈️
A local restaurant with an Ainu logo, serving seafood-rich set meals, bowls topped with salmon roe, sea urchin, and crab, plus Ainu specialty ruibe—lightly thawed frozen salmon sashimi. 🌿
A local restaurant with an Ainu logo, serving seafood-rich set meals, bowls topped with salmon roe, sea urchin, and crab, plus Ainu specialty ruibe—lightly thawed frozen salmon sashimi. 🌿
January 11, 2026 at 10:11 PM
If you’re at New Chitose Airport, don’t miss Hokkaido Cuisine Yuck ✈️
A local restaurant with an Ainu logo, serving seafood-rich set meals, bowls topped with salmon roe, sea urchin, and crab, plus Ainu specialty ruibe—lightly thawed frozen salmon sashimi. 🌿
A local restaurant with an Ainu logo, serving seafood-rich set meals, bowls topped with salmon roe, sea urchin, and crab, plus Ainu specialty ruibe—lightly thawed frozen salmon sashimi. 🌿
In Ainu, “Let tomorrow be sunny” is said as Kamuy Papaiya Ahoyya.
Kamuy = O God, Papaiya = clear weather, Ahoyya = please.
The Ainu would chant it while looking up at the sky 🌿 Simple and easy to remember ✨
Kamuy = O God, Papaiya = clear weather, Ahoyya = please.
The Ainu would chant it while looking up at the sky 🌿 Simple and easy to remember ✨
January 10, 2026 at 10:07 PM
In Ainu, “Let tomorrow be sunny” is said as Kamuy Papaiya Ahoyya.
Kamuy = O God, Papaiya = clear weather, Ahoyya = please.
The Ainu would chant it while looking up at the sky 🌿 Simple and easy to remember ✨
Kamuy = O God, Papaiya = clear weather, Ahoyya = please.
The Ainu would chant it while looking up at the sky 🌿 Simple and easy to remember ✨
Noboribetsu comes from the Ainu word nupur-pet, meaning “a dark-colored river” or “a river with strong spiritual power.”
Milky hot-spring waters flowing into the river were felt as sacred energy, making Noboribetsu a place where nature’s power is deeply present.
Milky hot-spring waters flowing into the river were felt as sacred energy, making Noboribetsu a place where nature’s power is deeply present.
January 9, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Noboribetsu comes from the Ainu word nupur-pet, meaning “a dark-colored river” or “a river with strong spiritual power.”
Milky hot-spring waters flowing into the river were felt as sacred energy, making Noboribetsu a place where nature’s power is deeply present.
Milky hot-spring waters flowing into the river were felt as sacred energy, making Noboribetsu a place where nature’s power is deeply present.
“Jagapokkuru” comes from Pokkuru, a tiny fairy in Ainu folklore ✨
Kind-hearted beings said to quietly leave food at night.
The name is Calbee’s cute wordplay, combining jaga (potato) and Koropokkuru.
A lovely Hokkaido souvenir.
Kind-hearted beings said to quietly leave food at night.
The name is Calbee’s cute wordplay, combining jaga (potato) and Koropokkuru.
A lovely Hokkaido souvenir.
January 8, 2026 at 10:22 PM
“Jagapokkuru” comes from Pokkuru, a tiny fairy in Ainu folklore ✨
Kind-hearted beings said to quietly leave food at night.
The name is Calbee’s cute wordplay, combining jaga (potato) and Koropokkuru.
A lovely Hokkaido souvenir.
Kind-hearted beings said to quietly leave food at night.
The name is Calbee’s cute wordplay, combining jaga (potato) and Koropokkuru.
A lovely Hokkaido souvenir.
Tomakomai takes its name from the Ainu word “To-makomai.”
To means “marsh,” and makomai refers to a river flowing toward the mountains.
With relatively little snow and key airport and ferry links, Tomakomai has long been a gateway to Hokkaido—its role quietly preserved in its name.
To means “marsh,” and makomai refers to a river flowing toward the mountains.
With relatively little snow and key airport and ferry links, Tomakomai has long been a gateway to Hokkaido—its role quietly preserved in its name.
January 7, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Tomakomai takes its name from the Ainu word “To-makomai.”
To means “marsh,” and makomai refers to a river flowing toward the mountains.
With relatively little snow and key airport and ferry links, Tomakomai has long been a gateway to Hokkaido—its role quietly preserved in its name.
To means “marsh,” and makomai refers to a river flowing toward the mountains.
With relatively little snow and key airport and ferry links, Tomakomai has long been a gateway to Hokkaido—its role quietly preserved in its name.
Makiri is a small blade central to Ainu daily life, used for hunting, fishing, and carving.
A smaller version for women, called menoko-makiri, was crafted by a man and given as a sign of love.
It symbolized trust, pride, and the promise of living together.
A smaller version for women, called menoko-makiri, was crafted by a man and given as a sign of love.
It symbolized trust, pride, and the promise of living together.
January 6, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Makiri is a small blade central to Ainu daily life, used for hunting, fishing, and carving.
A smaller version for women, called menoko-makiri, was crafted by a man and given as a sign of love.
It symbolized trust, pride, and the promise of living together.
A smaller version for women, called menoko-makiri, was crafted by a man and given as a sign of love.
It symbolized trust, pride, and the promise of living together.
In the Ainu language, snow is called upashi.
Snowfall is upashi ashi, with ashi meaning “to run” or “to race.”
The Ainu people imagined snowflakes racing from the sky,
playfully coming down to the earth.
Snowfall is upashi ashi, with ashi meaning “to run” or “to race.”
The Ainu people imagined snowflakes racing from the sky,
playfully coming down to the earth.
January 5, 2026 at 11:03 PM
In the Ainu language, snow is called upashi.
Snowfall is upashi ashi, with ashi meaning “to run” or “to race.”
The Ainu people imagined snowflakes racing from the sky,
playfully coming down to the earth.
Snowfall is upashi ashi, with ashi meaning “to run” or “to race.”
The Ainu people imagined snowflakes racing from the sky,
playfully coming down to the earth.
Shishamo comes from the Ainu word susuham, meaning “willow leaf,” which is why it’s written as 柳葉魚. An Ainu legend says the Kamuy turned willow leaves into fish to save people from hunger—a fish with a story that sustained rivers and lives.
January 4, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Shishamo comes from the Ainu word susuham, meaning “willow leaf,” which is why it’s written as 柳葉魚. An Ainu legend says the Kamuy turned willow leaves into fish to save people from hunger—a fish with a story that sustained rivers and lives.
“Sapporo” is said to come from the Ainu language.
Sat-poro means “a dry, wide place,” and Sari-poro-pet means “a river with large wetlands.”
Both describe the natural landscape around the Toyohira River.
Ainu place names were originally words for the land itself.
Sat-poro means “a dry, wide place,” and Sari-poro-pet means “a river with large wetlands.”
Both describe the natural landscape around the Toyohira River.
Ainu place names were originally words for the land itself.
January 3, 2026 at 10:30 PM
“Sapporo” is said to come from the Ainu language.
Sat-poro means “a dry, wide place,” and Sari-poro-pet means “a river with large wetlands.”
Both describe the natural landscape around the Toyohira River.
Ainu place names were originally words for the land itself.
Sat-poro means “a dry, wide place,” and Sari-poro-pet means “a river with large wetlands.”
Both describe the natural landscape around the Toyohira River.
Ainu place names were originally words for the land itself.
Did you know “kombu” (kelp) is said to come from the Ainu language?
Plants growing on stones underwater were called kompu, konpu, or kumpu.
That word spread and became today’s kombu.
This is salmon kombu-maki. Hinna ✨
Plants growing on stones underwater were called kompu, konpu, or kumpu.
That word spread and became today’s kombu.
This is salmon kombu-maki. Hinna ✨
January 2, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Did you know “kombu” (kelp) is said to come from the Ainu language?
Plants growing on stones underwater were called kompu, konpu, or kumpu.
That word spread and became today’s kombu.
This is salmon kombu-maki. Hinna ✨
Plants growing on stones underwater were called kompu, konpu, or kumpu.
That word spread and became today’s kombu.
This is salmon kombu-maki. Hinna ✨
Hokkaido’s rice Yumepirika was named by combining the dream of the people of Hokkaido—“to create the most delicious rice in Japan”—with pirka, an Ainu word meaning beautiful. At the start of the year, let’s begin with a truly delicious dream. Hinna, with gratitude.
January 1, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Hokkaido’s rice Yumepirika was named by combining the dream of the people of Hokkaido—“to create the most delicious rice in Japan”—with pirka, an Ainu word meaning beautiful. At the start of the year, let’s begin with a truly delicious dream. Hinna, with gratitude.
Asiripa! (Ainu word for New Year) ✨
Happy New Year 🌿
[Asiripa auk wa onkamian na]
With the horses of my hometown, Urakawa 🐎
This year as well, I’ll be sharing Ainu wisdom—
so please join me at a gentle, unhurried pace 🌿
Happy New Year 🌿
[Asiripa auk wa onkamian na]
With the horses of my hometown, Urakawa 🐎
This year as well, I’ll be sharing Ainu wisdom—
so please join me at a gentle, unhurried pace 🌿
December 31, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Asiripa! (Ainu word for New Year) ✨
Happy New Year 🌿
[Asiripa auk wa onkamian na]
With the horses of my hometown, Urakawa 🐎
This year as well, I’ll be sharing Ainu wisdom—
so please join me at a gentle, unhurried pace 🌿
Happy New Year 🌿
[Asiripa auk wa onkamian na]
With the horses of my hometown, Urakawa 🐎
This year as well, I’ll be sharing Ainu wisdom—
so please join me at a gentle, unhurried pace 🌿
In the Ainu way of thinking, the New Year changes not by date, but by balance. Year-end cleaning is about gratitude—returning things to where they belong. A year quietly continues its cycle. May you have a peaceful year’s end.
December 31, 2025 at 1:03 AM
In the Ainu way of thinking, the New Year changes not by date, but by balance. Year-end cleaning is about gratitude—returning things to where they belong. A year quietly continues its cycle. May you have a peaceful year’s end.
Do you know birch sap juice?
Birch sap is drinkable and known as a gentle “water of life” for health and skin.
Lightly sweet with a soft woody aroma, it’s cherished as a sacred tree sap and enjoyed in Northern Europe.
Birch sap is drinkable and known as a gentle “water of life” for health and skin.
Lightly sweet with a soft woody aroma, it’s cherished as a sacred tree sap and enjoyed in Northern Europe.
December 29, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Do you know birch sap juice?
Birch sap is drinkable and known as a gentle “water of life” for health and skin.
Lightly sweet with a soft woody aroma, it’s cherished as a sacred tree sap and enjoyed in Northern Europe.
Birch sap is drinkable and known as a gentle “water of life” for health and skin.
Lightly sweet with a soft woody aroma, it’s cherished as a sacred tree sap and enjoyed in Northern Europe.