Excerpt from Japan: From the Age of the Gods to the Fall of Tsingtau The Ainu, who completely drove out the Koro-pok-guru, or "cave men," were among the first inhabitants of Japan. They were originally a fierce and vigorous people, and many were their victories over the Japanese when these hairy aborigines were led to battle by Pontiac and Tecumseh. It is written: "When our august ancestors [the Japanese] descended from Heaven in a boat, they found upon the island several barbarous races, the most fierce of whom were the Ainu." So true was this reference to fierceness that the Ainu were not completely subjugated until the eighteenth century. It is scarcely to be wondered at that these aborigines of Japan, now dwelling for the most part in the Island of Yezo, are not very promising-looking specimens of humanity. Their fierceness has changed to something that is almost servile. Now that they are no longer engaged in war they are forced to be content with various sedentary occupations, relieved by an occasional bear hunt, which for the time being seems to revive something of the old fire that glowed so fiercely in the days of rebellion against the invader. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books.

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