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BRITTANY KIELER

Akkorokamui

Relief

12'' x 12''

2016

The Ainu fishing spear is a long wooden shaft tipped with a metal hook. The man who wields it measures the water in silver, by the scales of salmon and trout. In the 19th century one Ainu fisherman saw the waves in red. Tentacles as thick as a human torso pulsated around a crimson form that was “80 meters in length at least.” Widened eyes of man and monster exchanged a disquieting scrutiny before the creature sank back into the deep.

In this print, a fictitious alteration to the Ainu spear adds a carved wooden blade, a rendering of the animal on its surface that is designed to resemble traditional robe patterning. Had akkorokamui been easily overcome by humans, the ocean would be mapped by spear.

Sources:

Swancer, Brent. “Akkorokamui.” Cryptomundo.

“The Ainu People.” Ainu Museum.