Rishiri

Rishiri is an island off the northern coast of Ezo, dominated by its high volcanic mountain. Ainu lived here and traded marine products with Japanese merchants; a record of 1670 describes their exchanges. Around 1765 a trading house was established at Motodomari, handling abalone, sea cucumbers, cod and herring. Russian raiders reached the island in 1807, and the following year men of the Aizu domain were assigned to guard it.