Cotkep

Potentiality of the Ainu Art

Abstract

In a small community called Akan Ainu Kotan （Akan Ainu village） located in the east part of Hokkaido, I manage a souvenir shop and also work on creative activities. As a member of indigenous people Ainu, I learn about our cultural traditions from the elders and practice them. As a manager, I select the merchandises according to the needs of customers, also as a creator, I produce the works according to my own desire for expression and creation through self-questioning； “What is Ainu art?” , “Is this a work of art or a commodity?”, “Am l an artist or a craftsman?”, and even “Am l a director on Ainu art?” The concept of art includes various fields； fine arts, oral literature, performing arts, music, design, fashion and movies. Even cuisine may be considered as an art. This article aims to seek and present a new angle from the view point of sharing common consciousness of contemporary Ainu art. The Ainu word “cotkep” in the title means “finely chopping disparate items with a keen edged knife, and mix them until they become sticky”.