The Kumaso were a group of Japanese people who lived in southern Kyushu from the beginning of recorded Japanese history until some time in the Nara period. Kumaso means bear people, and many believe that the name comes from the Kumaso’s physical features. While they didn’t actually resemble bears, they were most likely larger people, and tales of their physical features spread and grew among other Japanese. Evidence points to them speaking the Austronesian language.

When the Yamato court of the Nara period began expanding their kingdom to the south, they encountered the Kumaso. Emperor Keiko and his son, Prince Yamatotakeru, launched military missions against the Kumaso and either destroyed their villages or, if they surrendered, assimilated them into Japanese culture.

Today, some people believe that there are Kumaso living in rural areas of Kyushu, but there is no definite evidence to back up this belief. However, the name of the Kumamoto Prefecture is named after the Kumaso, so even if none are left today, their name and legacy remains.