Sacred-Texts
Japan
The Ainu are Japans' largest ethnic minority.
They are known for
Shamanistic beliefs and practises which
are considered part of the Siberian tradition.
Shamanism is probably one of the sources of Shinto,
the indigenous religion of the ethnic Japanese.
Aino Folk-Tales
by Basil Hall Chamberlain [1888]
This is a collection of their folktales, by the translator of the Kojiki.
Specimens of Ainu Folk-lore
by John Batchelor [1888-1893]
This is another collection of Ainu folktales, by a Christian missionary who
lived among them for many years; these translations are considered
primary source material to this day.
Yukara, epos of the Ainus
by Kiyoko Miura.
Kutune Shirka, The Ainu Epic
translated by Arthur Waley [1953]
NOTE: The preceeding two texts have unknown copyright status.