Hiramura

In 1904, American anthropologist Frederick Starr went to Japan to recruit Ainu people and bring them to the United States for the Ethnological Exhibit at the St. Louis Exposition. Starr wanted “an old man, a graybeard, who knows how to make the arrow poison and to whittle the inao (a ritual wood-shaving stick)”. Kutoroge Hiramura recommended his father, but he refused, so Kutoroge picked Sangea Hiramura instead. Sangea’s wife, Santukno, and their baby girl, Kin, also joined the group on its journey to the United States. In St. Louis, Sangea and three other Ainu men took part in the “Anthropology Days,” competing in five events. Sangea represented the Ainu in the Archery competition against other ethnic groups, finishing second. He was also awarded a bronze medal by the Exposition.

After the 1904 Exposition and Olympics, the Ainu group returned to Japan safely. Sangea and Santukno built a new house and purchased a horse and pig with the money they earned in St. Louis. Starr went to Japan again in 1909 and met seven of the nine members of the group, including Sangea and his family.