Snow shoes

From: Hokkaidō, Japan
Date: early 20th century AD

The most northern island of Japan is called Hokkaidō, where the Ainu people live. Here they have extremely cold winters as they are near the Arctic. The Ainu have become experts as using the materials around them to make into clothes for the winter. For example, they used stretched salmon skin to make waterproof boots. Have a look as well for the tree bark coat in this section.

Different types of snow needed different kinds of snow shoes. These have wooden frames, with leather straps to tie the feet on. The frames would be stretched over with netting - made from sinew - enabling the wearer to ‘skate’ along on the surface of the snow.