Face masks embroidered with indigenous Ainu designs popular in Japan

Face masks embroidered with traditional designs of Japan's indigenous Ainu people to ward off evil have gained sudden popularity amid the coronavirus pandemic after the country's top government spokesman wore one in a televised press conference.Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who heads a task force for promoting government policies related to the Ainu, wore a mask with a spiral and thorn pattern at a regular press conference on May 7.An embroidery circle in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, made the mask. Speaking for the eight-member group, Mitsue Haga said she was surprised to see Suga weari…READ FULL ARTICLE