Spatial Concepts of the Ainu of the Northwest Coast of Southern Sakhalin 1

Abstract

Presented here is the basic cognitive structure underlying the concepts of space among the Ainu of the northwest coast of southern Sakhalin, now resettled in Hokkaido. The spatial structure is examined by analyzing cultural meanings attached to the spatial categories and directions. The basic spatial structure may be best understood as a dyadic structure comprising a series of contrast sets in binary opposition, with the super‐Ainu quality as the minimal distinctive feature.