Ainu Morpheme Explorer
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Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō

二風谷

にぶたに Nibutani

The Saru valley settlement best known outside Hokkaidō, and one whose received reading the article rejects on sound grounds.

Ainu spellings: Nipu-ta-an-i

Analyses

ni-tay

ニタイ

received reading

wood of trees

Proponent: 定説

Objections

zenibako_trek2025 「二風谷（にぶたに）」
Analysis details
Confidence: low

Both parts are dictionary words; the objection is to the distance between the form and the recorded name.

nipu-ta-an-i

ニプタニ

proposed

place where the storehouse is

Proponent: zenibako_trek（小樽銭函地名歴史研究会） (zenibako_trek (Otaru Zenibako Place-Name and History Society))

Matsuura describes nipu in the Bogo Nisshi: 'this is the storehouse of the natives, built up of timber. The people of these parts come here to set spring bows for deer and build it to keep the meat in.'

zenibako_trek2025 「二風谷（にぶたに）」
Analysis details
Confidence: low

The reading matches the recorded name closely and rests on a documented sense of nipu; the article gives no record naming a storehouse at this place.

Sources