Setana

Setana lies near the mouth of the Shiribeshi-Toshibetsu River on the Sea of Japan. Its name is traced to an Ainu expression meaning “dog river”. Salmon fisheries along the river were used by the Ainu of Setanai and neighboring Futoro, and disputes arose over access. In 1529 an Ainu leader from Setanai, Tanasakashi, attacked Katsuyama fortress to the south, an episode in the struggles between local Ainu and the Japanese lords of southern Ezo.