article

Kinship organization of the Saru Ainu

Ethnology1 • Published In 1962 • Pages: 287-298

By: Sugiura, Ken ichi, Befu, Harumi.

Abstract
This study discusses a unique feature of the Ainu kinship system of Saru River Valley, Hokkaido. Among the Ainu, men trace their descent patrilineally and women matrilineally. However, there is little evidence that the matrilineal group is functionally significant in Ainu society. It is suggested that further investigation should be carried out in this area. The senior author, Sugiura was a member of a team sent by the Japanese Society of Ethnology to the Saru River Valley in 1951 for an anthropological field study. Mr. Befu, the junior author, extracted information from a Japanese article written by the senior author, now deceased, and reorganized the material with further analysis and discussion.
Subjects
Kin relationships
Kinship terminology
Clans
Rule of descent
Household
Polygamy
Community structure
Regulation of marriage
Burial practices and funerals
culture
Ainu
HRAF PubDate
2009
Region
Asia
Sub Region
East Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Hesung C. Koh ; 1962
Field Date
1951
Coverage Date
1951-1962
Coverage Place
Saru River Valley, Hokkaido, Japan
Notes
[by] Kenichi Sugiura and Harumi Befu
Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-298)
LCCN
64005713
LCSH
Ainu