IMU—A Psychoneurosis Occurring Among Ainus

In the northern and northeastern part of Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, small groups of Ainus, the aboriginal inhabitants of this country, are living. According to the official data concerning their number, they amount to 10,000, but the pure Ainu types are less numerous.

The anthropological characteristics of Ainu reminds one of the Caucasian race. They are of small stature and have abundant hair. The latter feature allows to distinguish them easily from the scanty haired Japanese.

The opinion prevails that the Ainus inhabited the whole area of the present Japan. The skulls of Ainus found by Munro in the vicinity of Yokohama indicate their ancient settlements in the south.

The Ainu language shows often a familiar etymology with Sanskrit, which could indicate the connection with the Arian group.

The Ainu language has no writing. The oral tradition forms their history. So-called “tuita “or fairy tales have, according to B. Pilsudski, their origin in dreams, which were later repeated from mouth to mouth and preserved up to now.

The archeological and anthropological data, together with the tradition, would show that the Ainus were in the past nomadic tribes, living by hunting and fishing. Until now they cannot adapt themselves to the agricultural work in spite of the fact that the Japanese government makes it difficult for them to obtain hunting and fishing licenses. The Japanese government gave them agricultural territories, but very soon they became the victim of speculators, who bought their land for nothing. To-day the government gives them land again, but provides at the same time a law forbidding the selling of land unless the permission of authorities is secured.

The island of Hokkaido (Yezo) represents a mountainous country with sharp winters and mild summers.

The Ainus live in small groups. Their houses are like those of the Japanese, made of timber with a straw roof.

They have an archaic social system. According to Munro, there