Talk:Nivkhs

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"These last" seem confusing, do you mean only the Ainu on Hokkaido are vassals to the Japanese, or the Manchu as well? Although "vassal(s)" defines it, are the Nivkhs cooperating with both Japanese and Manchu imperials officials on Ainu land? Typically a Vassal state is subordinate to only one military hegemony, if more than one state, a struggle between the powers will decide the dominating foreign force, unless tribute is being paid to both, in this case, a (Tributary state). -Kain Nihil 03:39, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

The point is that the Nivkhs did not generally have any direct interactions with the Japanese. Many Chinese and other continental products were first introduced to the Japanese via trade with the Ainus, who had acquired these goods through trade with the Nivkhs and other tributaries of the Manchus. The long history of mutual influence between the Nivkh and Ainu cultures is also fairly well documented in anthropological and archaeological studies.

"...these last via their vassals, the Ainu," refers to the fact that the Nivkhs were only involved in trade with the Japanese through the medium of the Ainu people, who did often have direct interactions with Japanese people. Ebizur 03:01, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

The Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia article on Nivkhs stated they are possibly related to the Turks and Central Asian (Turkic) peoples, as well are ethnological cousins to the Koreans, Japanese and Manchurians (Manchus). Can this be backed up by any resources other than the Encyclopedia itself? I appreciate any assistance to clarify what I read in a book, but can be proven on the internet. + 71.102.53.48 (talk) 19:48, 25 March 2008 (UTC)