Paper short abstract:

While the Japanese were influenced by western modes of empire building, human displays of Ainu deviate from typical western narratives. I argue that these displays raised questions about Japan's position as an imperial power, rather than reinforced its prestige as an imperial power.

Paper long abstract:

As Japan's nascent empire grew in the mid 19th century so did its involvement in conducting anthropological and ethnographic studies of its colonial subjects. Japanese anthropologists emulated human displays at international expositions in the west, where colonial subjects were displayed in reconstructed villages or dwellings. This paper will examine human displays where the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, along with other colonial subjects, were displayed in domestic expositions in Japan as well as at international expositions from 1903-1913. By looking at their varied motivations, experiences and recollections, the individuals involved in these displays are revealed to be multi-faceted. Not only do some of the individuals involved in these displays make us re-think the premise that their involvement in such displays was derogatory, the reactions to these displays reveal that contrary to expectations, some Japanese questioned the boundaries of who was a colonial subject.

Furthermore, displays of Ainu at international expositions were often placed side-by-side displays of Japanese. The Japanese had a history of being displayed at international expositions, and viewed such displays with suspicion. They treated similar displays of its own colonial subjects critically, illustrating that these displays defy characterization as mere representations of Japan's imperial power over its colonized people. I argue that ultimately human displays in Japan failed to gain popularity as a representation of empire, and instead offer an opportunity to see how opinions regarding colonial subjecthood were formed. Understandings of imperial boundaries and colonial subjecthood were not endowed unto the masses, but rather were debated and contested processes which involved not just Japanese voices, but colonial subjects' voices as well.