This is just too absolutely interesting… and too strange! From oniazuma blog’s Are the Japanese actually Jewish?. (Update) If you can’t see the video below, they are also on the YouTube in three parts. Part 1/3, Part 2/3, and Part 3/3.
Nippon TV’s “Mino Monta’s Japanese Mystery” show had this very interesting (aside from the sensationalism) theory that the “Japan’s roots may be in the lost Israeli clan and the lost ark of the Covenant, that once held the 10 Commandments, (of Indiana Jones 1981 film) may be in Japan (Tokushima, to be exact). They also have some strange, but somewhat convincing facts (link in Japanese) that, well, sort of) backs the theory.
- One of the Ten lost tribes from ancient Israel has not discovered where they went. They may have traveled through the silk road and ended up in Japan. Timeline is a bit confusing, the Kingdom of Israel was conquered sometimes in 720s BC, but Hata clan (clan believed to be those Israelites) who “migrated from foreign lands” in Yamato period, 250–710. Mysterious.
- Similarity between Hebrew characters and Japanese Katakana and Hiragana. The shapes as well as the sounds.
- Not only characters, but some words sounds and the same, and means almost the same thing in Japanese and Hebrew. Example: Kaku (to write), Toru (to take, or to pick something up), Hakushu (clap). They say there are about 500 words like it.
- Similarity between Kyoto’s month long Gion Festival and celebration of Zion: Japanese carry Mikoshi which looks sort of like the “lost ark”; Schedules are very similar, especially the July 17th date, the peak of the festival. The date has Old Testament significance, as it is the day that Noah’s ark arrived at mount Ararat; Parading of decorated floats depicts the sight of pyramids, camel and Istanbul, reminiscent of the silk roads. One of the panel is men and women dressed up in western clothes with large water jar. It is said to be depiction of “Issac giving water to Rebecca” from Old Testament, Genesis 24.
- Even the Japanese Shinto Mythology, Ninigi no Mikoto (pronounced nee-nee-gee), and the Biblical Genealogy, Jacob in the Hebrew Bible, has a remarkable similarity (scrol down) between them.
It’s so interesting you should see the videos. Maybe National Geographics’ Geno Project can get some genes from those Hada people…
Japan and Jewish does have some interesting past… like Chiune Sugihara who issued more than 2000 transit visas for Jewish refugees in Lithuania (there is a statue of him in LA’s Japan town).
But then again, there is Gabe Kapler, who is Jewish and absolutely shlacked with Yomiuri Giants in Japan (hit only .153 in 120 AB, 38 games). See, my blog posting would have had perfect ending if he had star success then I could have said “Now, that’s the reason for Kapler’s success!” I wonder Daniel Kobayashi from Jose Melendez Keys to the Game blog knows about this. I believe he is part Japanese and part Jewish…
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2 Comments
Hello, Sir/Madam!
My father was just telling me about this tonight over dinner. My family is quite amazed by these findings or similiarities. I am Japanese married to a Jewish man.
Are there any books out there that address this?
Please advise.
Thanks,
-Terie
hahaha this would no doubt explain my grandmothers background if confirmed. she is dark, short, has very curly hair, a round asian looking face, and almond eyes. she has jewish ancestry but looks very asian soo I am guessing if this is confirmed it hits her ethnic nail on the head.