People often describe Japan as culturally homogeneous, but if you look closer, you will find small pockets of vibrant diversity all over the country.

Take Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. That is where you will find the Ainu, a people whose roots reach back long before modern Japan. Their way of life centers on hunting, fishing, gathering and a deep respect for the natural world. They craft beautiful clothing from tree bark, carve intricate wooden art, and pass down stories and songs from generation to generation. The Ainu are animists, worshiping spirits called kamuy that inhabit every corner of nature: animals, rivers, mountains and forests. They especially revere the bear, whom they believe is an incarnate god.

In the nineteenth century, as the Japanese government pushed into Hokkaido, many Ainu lost their land and way of life that had shaped their culture for generations. Policies of forced assimilation made it difficult for the Ainu to speak their language or practice their traditions. Honestly, I cannot quite wrap my mind around how the Ainu almost lost everything that makes their culture so rich and unique. But in recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in reviving Ainu language, art and identity. In 2019, Japan recognized the Ainu as an Indigenous people, an important step that has inspired more meaningful efforts to celebrate and protect Ainu heritage. Today, the Ainu remain a small minority, yet they keep their traditions alive while making their mark on modern Japanese society.

When our family moves to Japan, we hope to share the gospel with this specific people group. Teaching them to worship the Creator, not the created. If you are interested in supporting our family’s effort to spread the gospel in Japan, please prayerfully consider becoming a monthly donor.

• Twitter