Ainu are an indigenous people in Japan who have lived in the regions of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands for centuries. They have developed a distinctive style of building houses, called chise, that are adapted to the cold climate and the frequent earthquakes in their areas. A chise is a rectangular structure with a pole framework that supports thick woven reed mats. The mats provide insulation and flexibility, allowing the house to sway and bend without collapsing during seismic events. The roof is also covered with reed mats or thatch, which can be easily repaired or replaced if damaged.