In traditional indigenous Ainu marriages, People who marry in their own villages are all called uiriwak, ‘blood relations,’ ‘brethren,’ but those who marry OUTSIDE their villages are called uiritak, i.e. ‘relation taken away,’ or ‘distant relations,’ ‘brethren brought in.’

Soon after marriage the bridegroom makes a knife sheath, a spoon, a shuttle and weaving loom, and presents them to his bride. This little ceremony is called mat-eikara, i.e. ‘making my wife.’ The bride then makes a girdle, a pair of leggings, a necklace, and a head-dress, which she presents to her husband; this is called hoku eikara, i.e. ‘making my husband.’

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