Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido is a must-see tourist destination for millions across the region, but not many know about its ancient inhabitants — the indigenous Ainu people. Singaporean scholar Peter Lee travels to the land of the Ainu, with its scenic landscapes and abundant natural resources, to learn more about how this resourceful people survived and thrived off the land. Along the way, he meets Ainu artisans who make textiles out of treebark. He visits a traditional Ainu Kotan, or Ainu village, and goes on a hike in the majestic Shiretoko Peninsula, on the search for wild bears.

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ABOUT THE MARK OF EMPIRE: KINGDOMS OF THE EAST:
How do legacies of the past shape some of Asia’s most modern nations today? Singaporean scholar and curator Peter Lee travels to Japan and South Korea to seek out epic legends and vibrant traditions of four distinct nations and peoples in East Asia.

He embarks on a journey of adventure and discovery as he learns more about the mighty Tokugawa Shogun during Edo-period Japan. Up north in Hokkaido, he goes on a search for wild bears in their legendary natural landscapes. And as he makes his way down south, Peter traces the history of the small but vibrant Ryukyu Kingdom that emerged 600 years ago. In neighbouring South Korea, Peter meets the Korean musicians reviving Joseon-era music into radio-worthy pop, and discovers how much of the nation’s cultural footprint is shaped by this legendary period in Korean history.
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