Excerpt from The Ainu of Japan: The Religion, Superstitions, and General History of the Hairy Aborigines of Japan

The major portion of the chapters contained in this volume were not originally intended for publication, but were written as letters to relatives, who naturally take a great interest in Mission work, especially in Japan. But, before I had finished the series, it was thought by my friends that what I was writing for private perusal might perhaps prove interesting to the public if put into book form. Hence the appearance of this work. Moreover, having received many letters inquiring about the Ainu - some asking questions concerning their manners and customs, others about their religion, and some, again, of their special superstitions - I have the more readily fallen in with the suggestion.

Some of the chapters contained in this book com prise short articles and legends which I have published elsewhere, but which are not easily obtainable. The greater part of the volume, however, is entirely new.

Many of the illustrations which enrich the volumeare from photographs, but my best thanks are due to my Wife and helper for the great assistance she has rendered me in the matter of drawing the large number reproduced from her sketches.

No doubt a very great deal more might be said about the Ainu, and I feel that only the outside of the subject has been touched in this book. The subsequent chapters are merely notes by the way. They have been set down at odd times, and collected as the writer has had cause to inquire into things whilst prosecuting his special work amongst the Ainu. But his object will be attained if it leads his readers to appreciate the good points of this strange race, and, above all, if it leads them to feel renewed interest in the efforts that are being made to bring them under the civilising influence and the saving grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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