Nibutani

Nibutani (Japanese: 二風谷), or Niptani (Ainu: ニㇷ゚タニ), is a district in the town of Biratori in Hokkaidō, Japan.

Work-related deaths had reduced the eastern population of Ainu, leading to labor relocation from the Saru and Yufutsu areas.

Of that number, 43 were drafted for forced labor, including Kayano's grandfather Totkaram at the age of 11.

Detailed information about the names, ages and households of each village were provided by the Saru Journal.

Kayano relates that it was Matsuura Takeshirō "who, angered by the cruelty of the Matsumae province and the 'location' contractors, made repeated proposals that eventually led to the abolition of forced labor.

Reconstruction of a traditional Ainu dwelling ( cise , pronounced "chee-seh"), outside of the Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum