[Studio] Upopoy, an Ainu culture center in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. I don't think he can match the number of visits this junior high school student has made. He's been there 100 times. We interviewed Kamui. November 3rd, Culture Day. ■Junior high school student: "I expected what I was expecting. They said there would be quite a lot of people." Upopoy is an annual free open day. A junior high school student lines up before the park opens. ■Junior high school student: Q: Do you always come before the park opens? "Yes. Maybe it's because there are a lot of programs." "Good morning, Irankarapte." Kamui Ogawa, 13 years old, from Otaru City. His name is pronounced "god" in Ainu. ■Kamui Ogawa: Q: How do you say museum in Ainu? "Anukokoro Ainu Ikoro Makenru." Kamui efficiently completes the program even in the crowded area. An embroidery experience that would normally take an hour for most people is done by Kamui... ■Staff member: "You're fine, Kamui." He finishes it in just 30 minutes. ■Kamui: Q: What will you do with this finished product? "It's just something to look forward to." The first time he came to Upopoy was when he was in the fourth grade of elementary school. During every long holiday, he would stay overnight at his grandmother's house in Shiraoi town and walk to the park. And on this day, he was...! ■Kamui: Q: How many times have you been here today? "Maybe the 100th." Although he has no Ainu family roots, his interest in Ainu culture is what drives him. ■Ogawa Kamui: Q: What is it about Ainu culture that you find so amazing and that you are learning about it? "Like taking care of nature, and using everything to the last bit. Like praying to the gods." ■Passing by a staff member: "Oh, good morning, manager!" ■With an embroidery artist: "It's been a while, Yuka!" "It's been a while! How have you been?" He is already familiar with the staff and craftspeople. ■Upopoy staff member: Q: Do you take questions? ``I think Kamui-kun has more knowledge now.'' ■Craftsman: ``I hope he continues to pursue what he loves and grows up to be a strange adult.'' ``Grow up to be someone like Sakana-kun.'' ■Kamui: ``Wow, that's amazing.'' He actively talks to craftsmen he meets for the first time. ■Kamui: "Hello." ■Sekine Maki: "Hello. Are you a fan of Golden Kamuy?" ■Kamui: "No, not at all." ■Sekine: "I'll write an Ainu pattern on anything you're carrying." ■Kamui: "Then can I have it written on this bag?" ■Sekine: "You like the Ainu, don't you?" ■Kamui: "Yes, that's right." ■Sekine Maki: "What do you like?": ■Kamui: "Ainu culture, for example. And folk art, I guess." ■Sekine Maki: "What's your first name?" ■Kamui: "Kamui." ■Sekine Maki: "Kamui? Really?" ■Kamui: "Yes." ■Sekine Maki: "Amazing! Your name is Kamui! Good luck." ■Kamui: "Thank you." ■Sekine Maki: "Thank you." "Iyairaikere (Ainu for "thank you")" ■Kamui: "Iyairaikere" ■Kamui: "I think (Upopoy) is a place where you can learn a little bit about the history, lifestyle, culture and people of Ainu culture." "In textbooks, you can only read. But here, you can hear stories from people." Kamui is a member of the track and field club at school. ■Club call: "Ready, set, go!" The 13-year-old loves to exercise with his friends. He's the type of person who will try anything that catches his interest, such as cooking or reading. ■Kamui: Q: Do you cook Ainu food? "Sometimes. Like shito (rice dumplings)." Kamui was given the name by his parents, who love Ainu culture. ■Mother, Yuriko: "I sometimes read Ainu picture books to him. The 'kamuy' always appear in the picture books. One thing is that I wanted him to be interested. But I didn't expect him to be so interested." ■Yuriko: "Was it pressure?" ■Kamui: "No, not at all." ■Kamui: "This is my room." He showed me his special collection of Ainu culture. This tapestry is made by connecting together pieces of cloth embroidered at Upopoy. I went there 100 times and sewed them together with my own hands. For my independent study during the winter break, I made a model of the Upopoy museum. What Kamui is currently working on... is practicing the Ainu language. He is studying the Ainu language, which you can't learn just by going to Upopoy. ■Kamui: "I read in the newspaper the other day that the language is one step away from extinction," he said. "But I don't think we should let that fade away." The Ainu language is no longer used in everyday life even among the Ainu people due to the forced assimilation policy of the Meiji government. UNESCO has designated the Ainu language as a language in danger of extinction in a "very serious" state. ■Last year's speech contest: "I'm Ogawa Kamui, born and raised in Otaru." Kamui participated in an Ainu speech contest for the first time last year. However, he says he was unable to perform confidently. ■Kamui: "I felt really embarrassed," "I was scared because I didn't know anyone there," he said. He practiced hard to be able to participate again this year. ■Kamui: "It would be great if I could win an award for excellence or the grand prize," ■Kamui: "I'll do my best!" Kamui was the first of 29 contestants. ■Announcement: "First in the children's division, Ogawa Kamui." He will perform oral literature left behind by an Ainu poet. ■Kamui: "(In Ainu) One day my husband... went hunting... and he didn't think it was time to come back yet..." ■Kamui (Looking back): "I was nervous because I was the first to perform, so I left halfway through, but then started over again," "Oh no, I thought, this is bad, and I panicked." ■Kamui: "That's all for today. Thank you very much." He missed out on winning the prize he was aiming for. But what was different from last year was that he made many friends through Ainu culture. ■ Ainu language instructor Sekine Kenji: "I think it's great. They were really energetic. They seemed a little nervous, but I hope they won't get discouraged and will participate again next year. Photo Kamui has dreams for the future. ■ Kamui: "I would like to become a curator who can do everything, like speak the language, know about history and archaeology." "I would like to have an environment where anyone can have contact with (Ainu culture), regardless of race or roots." [Studio] Anyone up to junior high school age can enter Upopoy for free at any time, but even so, 100 visits is quite an impressive feat. Kamui said he would like to attend Upopoy again during the next winter break. ▼HTB Hokkaido News Official Website https://www.htb.co.jp/news/ ▼For information and video submissions, please visit "Recommended!! 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