New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
BROUGHT 1N1ER1C1.
WW BE Seen for the cay from Nat1e Japaness
IlandS-Strange Characteristics of the Race.

One Of the most interesting features of the
Midway or Street Of Nations, at the forthcom-
ing st. Louis Exposition Will be n typical Ainu
village together with several families contain
ing groups Of these mysterious hairy men, who
for the first time VIII be seen in this country
amid their native and picturesque surround
ings. An expedition headed by Professor Starr
OF the University of Chicago. viii shortly start
FOR the Orient TO make arrangements 20 secure
this exhibit Besides being the haireSt and
most primitive people in existence, they are
likewise one of the greatest puzzles to anthro-
biologists. their origin is absolutely shrouded
in obscurity They have no written records OF
any kind. nor have the japanese anything to
throw any light on their past ancestry. Conse-
quently there is n large diversity Of opinion
among the leading scholars as to their exact
history. a few foreign Investigators, owing to
their somewhat white color Of skin, class them
as descendants OF a white European race. Pro-
fessor Franz Boas. OF Columbia University and
the American Museum Of Natural History the
most eminent American authority on the var-
Gus races Of mankind. differs from this opinion.
and states that they more likely belong to the
East Siberian and Asiatic tribes They were
found living in the present Empire Of Japan
when that race first arrived there. The Jap
anese conquered and gradually drove them
northward to colder and less hospitable regions
They now occupy the island OF Yezzo. Just
north of Japan. and the Kuriles, while por-
ton have emigrated across to the Russian penal
settlement on Saghallen. The men are noted
for their strange physical appearance short
and rugged stature, and their faces. which are
nearly white. are covered with a long growth
of hair, while they have extraordinarily long
boards. The hair upon the bodies of the men
often resembles thick coat, black and curly
extending TO the extremities OF the upper and
lower limbs. Both sexes wear odd garments
woven out OF the bark OF tree Each
family has It's own sort OF church and
place OF worship Just outside of the house bav-
ing a series of willow wood PRAYER sticks with
the shavings cut to hang in q particular way
which are thought to be most potent as a petit
ton and Offering to some god for good luck to
ward Off evils and to bring numerous blessings
to the household. The bear is held sacred by
them, and the great sacrifcial feast of this
animal, held annually, is the most innorta Mt
ceremonial of the year. 1t is said the hear
| festival and funerals are the only occasions
during the season that the Anus wash their
| races and hands. At all other times thew are
aVerse to indulging freely in soap and water
An extensive and picturesque collection of
ANU ehects has recently been received and in
stalled at the American Museum of Natural
History, obtained by DR.. Berthold Iaufer an
| Aslatic explorer, and partly by gift of Arthur
| curtis James. The Anus dress religion and
present customs are about the same that existed
hundreds Of years ago. They are subjects OF
Japan out have no voice in the government
| being simply left to shift for themselves They