Blue and white kaparamip robe c. late 19th century

This blue and white robe, or *kaparamip*, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was likely made by Ainu women from Hokkaido, Japan. The Ainu are an indigenous people with their own distinct language, religion, and culture. Ainu society centers around the roles of women in producing textiles. This robe would have been sewn using elm-bark cloth, decorated with cotton appliqué, and worn during ritual ceremonies. Note the abstract shapes, which reference the natural and spiritual world. These could ward off evil spirits. During Japan's Meiji Restoration, the Ainu faced cultural assimilation and land dispossession. Despite such challenges, the Ainu people have maintained their cultural traditions. By delving into historical archives, linguistic studies, and anthropological research, we uncover the rich tapestry of Ainu society and the politics of their cultural representation, revealing art’s power as resistance.