THE AINOS OF YEZO, JAPAN. 479 



the noise arouud him, and began to jump about in the cage and set up 

 a mournful howl. 



At the same time our attention was directed to another scene before 

 the sacred hedge. The hedge was decorated with five new inao, to 

 which leaves of bamboo were attached. The bamboo leaves signify 

 that the dead bear may again come to life. Perhaps the evergreen 

 color of the leaves, or the indestructible character of the bamboo, has 

 led to its use here. In addition to this, swords and sacred quivers, 

 known as iJcayup or ilcor-Jcamui, were suspended on the hedge. There 

 were also bows and arrows, the latter always three in number, with 

 which the bear was to be shot, and ear-rings and necklaces, to be laid 

 on the bear after death. The men now found another opportunity to 

 drink, and they made their drink-offerings before the sacred hedge. 

 This time the Otena, or chief of Oshamambe, made the beginning. 

 Three young men, who afterwards took the bear from the cage, each 

 added two inao. Already there were noticeable signs of the industri- 

 ous application of the drinking cup, and some men, hilarious with sake, 

 began to dance before the hedge, with their hands raised to heaven to 

 make their happiness known to the gods, and this became more fre- 

 quent as the feast continued. 



The bear was taken out of the cage by the bravest young Aino, 

 assisted by two others. Donning a fine garment owned by the chief, 

 he climbed to the top of the cage and removed the stones and top logs, 

 and threw a rope around the neck of the bear. With this the bear 

 was drawn out of the cage and led around for a time, that he might 

 once more enjoy a sense of freedom before his death. Then he was 

 made a target for the archers and shot with arrows which, instead of 

 the pointed heads, bore blunt wooden ends decorated with bits of red 

 cloth (Plate cxv). 



Next the bear was taken before the sacred hedge, a piece of wood 

 placed in his mouth, and he was crushed to death in a manner shown in 

 the Japanese illustration (Plate cxvi). The poor animal died without 

 a groan. The women danced around, with lameutations, and struck the 

 men to manifest their indignation at such cruelty. The skin was then 

 cut in the middle line of the belly. The bear was laid on a mat before 

 the hedge, the sword and quiver from the latter hung about him, and 

 food and drink were offered. A female bear is also decorated with 

 necklaces and ear-rings. The food consisted of a plate of millet mush, 

 another of millet cake made in the same manner as the Japanese mochi, 

 with fish-oil poured over it, a can of sake with drinking cup, chop- 

 sticks and moustache-stick, the latter provided with spiral shavings. 



The men then seated themselves before mats spread before the bear 

 (PI. cxvn), each with his drinking set before him, and began to make 

 libations of sake and to drink unlimited quantities. It is the custom 

 for the chief to begin this drink-offering, but he yielded the honor to 

 the oldest man present. This man made the offering before the bear in 



