[National Ainu Museum and Park] 12th Special Exhibition "Kosonte and Ruunpe" to be Held from September 19, 2026

The National Ainu Museum and Park (Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido; Director: Masahiro Nomoto) will hold its 12th Special Exhibition, "Kosonte and Ruunpe," from Saturday, September 19, 2026, to Monday, November 23, 2026 (public holiday).

"Kosonte" is the formal attire of the Ainu people. The name is an Ainu word derived from "kosode," the prototype of the kimono. The kosode, worn by samurai women in Honshu, became an attire worn by Ainu men during ceremonies.

Furthermore, the fabric is also utilized in the patterns and decorations of "Ruunpe," transforming into new clothing. The fabrics and threads used are incredibly diverse, and the selection of materials, combination of colors, and creation of patterns reveal the sensibility and creativity of each maker.

This exhibition introduces the colorful world of fashion born from the exchange between the Ainu and Honshu through kosonte (Hokkaido) and ruunpe, while also focusing on the techniques and expressions passed down to the present day.

Ruunpe, from the collection of the Kushiro City Museum.

1. Exhibition Content

Chapter 1: Kosonte

Kosonte uses dyed and woven items from various periods, including kosode worn by samurai women and stage costumes. Among them is a precious kosode from the Azuchi-Momoyama period, passed down as "kosonto" (Sakhalin Ainu) in Sakhalin. Additionally, kamuy (deities) wearing kosonte frequently appear in sacred chants, indicating that it was an important garment in Ainu culture. This chapter showcases existing kosonte and kosonto.

Kosonte, from the collection of the National Ainu Museum and Park. Kosonte, from the collection of the National Ainu Museum and Park.

Chapter 2: Kosonte and Ruunpe

Kosonte was not only worn but its fabric was also carefully utilized. Ruunpe exhibits diverse expressions, such as large decorations made from kosode fabric and patterns created by cutting the fabric into thin strips. Old materials, known to have been collected by museums in the 18th century, also extensively use kosode fabric. This section focuses on the clothing and designs created by incorporating fabrics brought from Honshu.

Ruunpe, from the collection of the National Ainu Museum and Park. Ruunpe, from the collection of the Urakawa Town Local History Museum.

Chapter 3: The World of Kosode

During the Edo period, kosode was central to women's attire. This chapter introduces the world of kosode worn by samurai women and women of the inner palace. We will explore the fashion of that era through a variety of dyed and woven items, including a kosode from the Azuchi-Momoyama period designated as an Important Cultural Property. We will also examine the incorporation of Ainu patterns into Kabuki costumes and kimonos, tracing the spread of cultural exchange through attire.

Chapter 4: Various Ruunpe

Ruunpe uses a variety of materials, including silk fabric derived from kosode, as well as cotton, wool, and European printed fabrics. The creators meticulously layered embroidery, stitch by stitch, to create patterns, making the most of the colors and designs of each fabric. This chapter introduces the ingenuity behind fabric selection and embroidery, as well as the designs of various ruunpe and accessories such as emushiattsu (sword hangers).

* The underlined "shi" and "tsu" are subscript lowercase letters.

Ruunpe, from the collection of the National Ainu Museum and Park. Ruunpe, from the collection of the National Ainu Museum and Park.

Chapter 5: Ruunpe Today

This section presents contemporary ruunpe created by incorporating new techniques, designs, and color schemes while cherishing inherited skills. Through modern materials, colors, and textural innovations, the expressions range from gorgeous to subdued. Please come and see the ruunpe that live in the present day, where the desire to preserve tradition and the challenge of new expression overlap.

2. Related Events

Related events will be held on the following dates. For detailed information, please visit the special exhibition website.

Related Symposium

We will consider Ainu clothing culture from various perspectives, including history, exchange, techniques, and restoration.

* Details such as time will be announced on the special exhibition website.

Date: Saturday, October 31

Venue: Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)

Let's Make a Small Drawstring Bag with Ainu Embroidery!

Embroider Ainu patterns on fabric to create a small drawstring bag.

* Details such as participation fees and capacity will be announced later on our website.

Date and Time: October 4 (Sun) & 24 (Sat), 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (90 minutes)

Venue: National Ainu Museum and Park, Exchange Room

Gallery Talk

Exhibition curators will provide explanations of highlights in the exhibition rooms.

Date: September 26 (Sat), October 10 (Sat), November 3 (Tue, holiday), 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat)

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM. On November 3 (Tue, holiday) only, two sessions will be held (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM).

Venue: National Ainu Museum and Park, Special Exhibition Room

Capacity: 20 people *No reservation required, first-come, first-served basis on the day.

Let's Draw Ainu Patterns on a Bag!

This event involves creating original eco-bags by drawing Ainu patterns on bags with crayons or using Tureppon stamps.

* Details such as participation fees and capacity will be announced later on our website.

Date and Time: September 21 (Mon, holiday), 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (90 minutes)

Venue: National Ainu Museum and Park, Exchange Room

Chat Gallery Talk

A gallery talk for children by exhibition curators.

Date and Time: September 22 (Tue, holiday) & November 3 (Tue, holiday), both at 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM (30 minutes)

Venue: National Ainu Museum and Park, Special Exhibition Room

Capacity: 15 people *No reservation required, first-come, first-served basis on the day.

Tureppon's Stroll Special Edition: Tohaku-kun, Yurino-chan, and Torarin Have Come to Play!

Tohaku-kun and Yurino-chan, official characters of the Tokyo National Museum, and Torarin, the official character of the Kyoto National Museum, will go for a stroll with Tureppon.

* Dates: September 21 (Mon, holiday), 22 (Tue, holiday)

* Venue: National Ainu Museum and Park, Entrance Hall

3. Basic Information

Exhibition Name

National Ainu Museum and Park 12th Special Exhibition "Kosonte and Ruunpe"

Website

https://ainu-upopoy.go.jp/event/amip2026/

Venue

National Ainu Museum and Park (within Upopoy), 2nd Floor, Special Exhibition Room

Exhibition Period

Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Monday, November 23, 2026 (66 days)

* First Half: Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Sunday, October 18, 2026

* Second Half: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 - Monday, November 23, 2026 (public holiday)

Closed Days

Mondays

* Open on Monday, September 21 (public holiday), Monday, October 12 (public holiday), October 19, November 2, and Monday, November 23 (public holiday). Closed on Tuesday, October 13.

Opening Hours

Opening hours are subject to the operating hours of the National Ainu Museum and Park (Upopoy).

* Entry to Upopoy is until 1 hour before closing. Museum entry is until 30 minutes before closing.

Organizer/Cooperation/Sponsorship

Organizer

National Ainu Museum and Park

Special Cooperation

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Hokkaido Ainu Association

Cooperation

Aomori City Board of Education, Asahikawa Museum, Abashiri City Local History Museum, Usu Zenkōji Treasure House, Urakawa Town Local History Museum, Oshamanbe Town Board of Education, Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall, Kamo Shigeru Niikappu Ainu Museum, Kushiro City Museum, Shizuoka City Serizawa Kōnsuke Art Museum, Hakodate City Museum, Tokyo National Museum, Tohoku Fukushi University Serizawa Kōnsuke Museum of Art and Crafts, Tenri University Affiliated Tenri Sankokan Museum, Tomakomai City Museum of Art and History, Nihon Mingeikan (Japan Folk Crafts Museum), Noboribetsu City Board of Education, Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, Matsumae Town Board of Education, Waseda University Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum

Number of Exhibition Items

Approximately 130 items (planned)

Admission Fee

Admission to this exhibition and the permanent exhibition rooms is included in the admission fee for the National Ainu Museum and Park (Upopoy).

Upopoy Admission Fee [Tax Included]

Adults

1,200 yen (960 yen) / Annual Passport 2,000 yen

High School Students

600 yen (480 yen) / Annual Passport 1,000 yen

Junior High School Students and Younger

Free

* () indicates group rates for 20 or more people.

* Persons with disabilities and one caregiver each are admitted free of charge. Please present proof of disability upon entry.

For Those Using Image Materials

If you wish to use images for the purpose of promoting this exhibition, please use the captions provided in the separate "Caption List." For any other use, please contact the person listed in the Caption List.