Ainu Fish Skin Tanning Workshop

A man, surrounded by fish skins hanging to dry, kneels before a large pit as he demonstrates the tanning process.
(Image courtesy of Elisa Palomino-Perez)

Pictured here is a 2018 fish skin tanning workshop attended by Palomino-Perez and taught by Shigehiro Takano, who has dedicated his life to the preservation of Ainu culture and mastered more than 200 traditional Ainu crafting techniques. Here he shares his knowledge of making the Ainu Cep Keri, or salmon skin boot.

Tags: Art