“Unusual View of the Island of Ezo (people) – a drawing of iomante by Shimanojo Murakami
The Ainu raised a cub with care and sent it off to the world of deities together with many gifts in expectation that the bear deity would return to the human world in gratitude. This ceremony was considered particularly important among the ceremonies to send off the spirits of deities, and was held very ceremoniously by inviting many people from neighboring villages.”

photo courtesy: Hokkaido University Library Northern Studies Collection