Marewrew are four women Ainu singers. On this mini-album of 6 short tracks they sing traditional Ainu tunes with minimal percussion backing. Produced by Oki.

1. Sonkayno 2. Hawsa 3. Sa Oy 4. Aroro 5. Cikap 6. Arian.

Fascinating 3 CD set of rare Ainu recordings made between 1953 and 1976. Ainu music during this period is thought to have all but disappeared. These recordings of elder musicians were probably the only examples of Ainu music being performed, and are a real treasure trove of this ancient culture. CD1. 30 tracks CD2. 31 tracks CD 3. 25 tracks.


Price:   £71.99

Field recording from 1977 of the 'Iyomante' ceremony, plus commentary. The Iyomante ceremony is at the heart of Ainu spirituality, who believe that living and non-living thing are kamuy (gods visiting the earthly world) and send kamuy back to their world with prayers, gifts and invitations to return. When they hunted and killed adult bears, the Ainu raised the survining cubs for a year or two, and then would hold the Iyomante ceremony to return the souls of the cubs to the gods.

An album featuring the mukkuri, the Ainu (indigenous Japanese) jew's harp, together with other world jew's harps from Tuva, Laos, Lombok, morin khuur ( Mongolian violin) Tuvan throat singing, voices and various percussion. Constantly interesting, it's another welcome window onto what was a forgotten tradition. Comes with English liner notes.


Price:   £23.99

Songs, prayers, offerings and tales of the Ainu, the native Japanese people living in Hokkaido (the northern main island). An important document of a culture that has been threatened during the 20th century, but still survives. Includes several spoken tracks, of limited interest to non-Ainu speakers, but nevertheless this is made up for by the fascinating music of others.