Yukar (traditional Ainu epic poetry)

Yukar is a traditional form of epic poetry of the Ainu people of Japan’s Hokkaido and Russia’s Sakhalin. It consists of oral performances that recount myths, ancestral stories, historical events, and spiritual beliefs, often served as communal storytelling rituals. Yukar uses poetic language, symbolism, and vivid imagery to connect listeners with Ainu identity, nature, and the spiritual world. These performances preserve cultural knowledge, reinforce social values, and maintain the Ainu’s unique cultural heritage, serving as both entertainment and a means of transmitting history and spiritual teachings across generations.