I've come across the theoretical idea of some link between Japanese culture and Jewish culture in the past, and did find the similar cultural traditions and symbols between them interesting. I did not realize however, how many Jews and Japanese seem to strongly believe in this theory, ranging from scholars, Priests, Rabbis, to the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, etc. The idea being that many of the traditional ceremonies in Japan seem to indicate that the Lost Tribes of Israel came to ancient Japan.
I cannot say I endorse this theory, however the similarities, which include symbolism, religious ritual ceremony, as well as language etymology, are fascinating.
This short Japanese documentary covers some of those ideas. 3 parts with English subtitles:
There is no inherent antisemitism in Japan that I know of. It might be thought this way by some because of Japan's alliance with Germany during WW2. As many of you know, Japan has been a kind of xenophobic land, and had its borders closed in certain periods of its history to ALL foreign influence.
That said, there are nationalists in all countries that may be distrustful of political agendas which are hell bent in its support of Israel. This goes for the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and all of Islamic nations. This is not necessarily antisemitism, but the protest against involvement in the ME conflicts.
In modern times, you will see that the Japanese government has taken the same foreign policy as the Western nations in its general support for Israel.
there is also massive underwater structure in japan, of which nobody knows nothing about!
The underwater structures off of Yonaguni Japan, (around Okinawa), are fascinating indeed. That is a whole other topic which would deserve its own thread
Very, very interesting. The scattering of the tribes has much mystery surrounding it. Consider the ankhs & Egyptian solar discs inscribed on Hebrew seals of Hezekiah (I believe there was found coins with this as well but I forgot which ruler's coins they were). Cultural absorption & transmission occured quite frequently between the Hebrew people whether they were scattered or not. I think that may be why the Hebrew God was so adamant about not following other culture's traditions -- it was their need to maintain a distinct cultural identity which forced upon them a concept of God so jealous & severe.
Ineresting. But why the huge genetic differences? Perhaps some Jewish influence came into the land, rather than the Japanese being of Israelite descent. Or the Japanese are hybrids of the indigenous people of Japan and Israelites?
Ineresting. But why the huge genetic differences? Perhaps some Jewish influence came into the land, rather than the Japanese being of Israelite descent. Or the Japanese are hybrids of the indigenous people of Japan and Israelites?
I think the title is a bit misleading. You raise a good point. The indigenous people of Japan were probably not Jewish. Rather, this theory postulates that Israelites may have come to Japan and settled and blended in with the indigenous people, which already had a developing civilization. This blending of Jewish religion and Shinto, may have produced the anomalous similarities which we see between the two cultures. Those familiar with Japanese history will know that early on, through the so-called "Silk Road", Japan absorbed many cultures' fruits, like that of the Chinese.
Ineresting. But why the huge genetic differences? Perhaps some Jewish influence came into the land, rather than the Japanese being of Israelite descent. Or the Japanese are hybrids of the indigenous people of Japan and Israelites?
Very, very interesting. The scattering of the tribes has much mystery surrounding it. Consider the ankhs & Egyptian solar discs inscribed on Hebrew seals of Hezekiah (I believe there was found coins with this as well but I forgot which ruler's coins they were). Cultural absorption & transmission occured quite frequently between the Hebrew people whether they were scattered or not. I think that may be why the Hebrew God was so adamant about not following other culture's traditions -- it was their need to maintain a distinct cultural identity which forced upon them a concept of God so jealous & severe.
Good point. The Jewish people have certainly done an incredible thing in terms of maintaining their cultural integrity, even after numerous migrations, in far lands. Also as you say, early in their own history, the Jewish absorbed other traditions, eventually becoming what we know today. Whether that be of the Egyptians, the Babylonians etc.
So if some of them had in fact migrated to Japan, I would not be surprised if they had maintained their practices while absorbing the indigenous traditions in their new settled land.
The Star of David (Hexagram) Is A Symbol Also Used At Ise-jingu, the Shinto Shrine for the Imperial House of Japan.
Ise-jingu in Mie-pref., Japan, is the Shinto shrine built for the Imperial House of Japan. On both sides of the approaches to the shrine, there are street lamps made of stone. You can see the Jewish Star of David carved on each of the lamps near the top.
The crest used on the inside of the shrine (Izawa-no-miya) at Ise-jingu is also the Star of David. This has existed since ancient times.
In Kyoto pref., there is a shrine called "Manai-jinja" which was the original Ise-jingu Shrine. The crest of "Manai-jinja" is also the Star of David. So, this has been used since ancient times.
I would add to this idea of the "Star of David" : that this symbol, the hexagram, is not inherently Jewish, and can be found in other ancient cultures as well, including the Hindus. It was a symbol that the Jews later adopted to identify their nation.
Fine, Jews finally got to know where they come from and found their true mother nation (promised land)...Now mid east problem(s) solved. OP you win the Nobel prize! No more Falafel, Sushi ftw!!
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I have had many interactions with Jewish people here, most of which are not overtly religious, and numerous interactions with countless Japanese. I have noticed absolutely ZERO anti-semitic behavior or language here.
I would definitely say that the US, Canada, and Australia are more anti-semitic than Japan.
The comparisons between Japanese culture and Jewish culture are a slight bit interesting, but there is no reason to actually believe that theory.
Quote:
ive been to japan..... japanese do not like jews. but doc was interesting to say the least
I often find that Japan is a unique country to westerners... in the sense that they come here, and then suddenly feel like they know everything about it.
Let me give you just a brief overview of my credentials. I graduated college with a major in Japanese and Spanish for teaching K-12, I did a short 2 1/2 month study abroad during college, I'm currently living and working here in Japan and have been for years, and studying Japanese and Japanese culture is a big personal hobby of mine.
The little guy who visits Tokyo and buys a few anime collectables for a week or two is not qualified to speak . Sorry.
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Where in the history of the world would cause the Japanese to dislike Jews?... I've never heard of such a thing and I would like a Japanese person to speak up on behalf of Japanese people to clear this up! -.-
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I have had many interactions with Jewish people here, most of which are not overtly religious, and numerous interactions with countless Japanese. I have noticed absolutely ZERO anti-semitic behavior or language here.
I would definitely say that the US, Canada, and Australia are more anti-semitic than Japan.
The comparisons between Japanese culture and Jewish culture are a slight bit interesting, but there is no reason to actually believe that theory.
I often find that Japan is a unique country to westerners... in the sense that they come here, and then suddenly feel like they know everything about it.
Let me give you just a brief overview of my credentials. I graduated college with a major in Japanese and Spanish for teaching K-12, I did a short 2 1/2 month study abroad during college, I'm currently living and working here in Japan and have been for years, and studying Japanese and Japanese culture is a big personal hobby of mine.
The little guy who visits Tokyo and buys a few anime collectables for a week or two is not qualified to speak . Sorry.
I have had many interactions with Jewish people here, most of which are not overtly religious, and numerous interactions with countless Japanese. I have noticed absolutely ZERO anti-semitic behavior or language here.
I would definitely say that the US, Canada, and Australia are more anti-semitic than Japan.
The comparisons between Japanese culture and Jewish culture are a slight bit interesting, but there is no reason to actually believe that theory.
I often find that Japan is a unique country to westerners... in the sense that they come here, and then suddenly feel like they know everything about it.
Let me give you just a brief overview of my credentials. I graduated college with a major in Japanese and Spanish for teaching K-12, I did a short 2 1/2 month study abroad during college, I'm currently living and working here in Japan and have been for years, and studying Japanese and Japanese culture is a big personal hobby of mine.
The little guy who visits Tokyo and buys a few anime collectables for a week or two is not qualified to speak . Sorry.
i am humbled by your vast knowledge my freind, let you live in the halls of valhalla for being so knowledgeable, u were spot on; on what i did, i definately dont have family in japan or have japanese ethnicity; damn
thank you for putting me in my place misc lurker, damn white peeps and their all knowingness
Depending on when the Japanese traditions started it most probably came from China. Jews have been living in China ever since the 7th or 8th centuries, possibly hundreds of years earlier. This places them at the time of the Tang Dynasty in china which was a major period that the Japanese borrowed into their culture. In fact I've heard that if you want to see what ancient Xi'an looked like you have to go to Kyoto, I believe, which reconstructed Xi'an brick by brick.
I have had many interactions with Jewish people here, most of which are not overtly religious, and numerous interactions with countless Japanese. I have noticed absolutely ZERO anti-semitic behavior or language here.
I would definitely say that the US, Canada, and Australia are more anti-semitic than Japan.
The comparisons between Japanese culture and Jewish culture are a slight bit interesting, but there is no reason to actually believe that theory.
I often find that Japan is a unique country to westerners... in the sense that they come here, and then suddenly feel like they know everything about it.
Let me give you just a brief overview of my credentials. I graduated college with a major in Japanese and Spanish for teaching K-12, I did a short 2 1/2 month study abroad during college, I'm currently living and working here in Japan and have been for years, and studying Japanese and Japanese culture is a big personal hobby of mine.
The little guy who visits Tokyo and buys a few anime collectables for a week or two is not qualified to speak . Sorry.
Very interesting.
That's cool that you are living there. I would have to agree with you, that I never came across any specific antisemitism against Jews in Japan. There are quite a lot of Jews who live there, along with all kinds of foreign peoples. In general I don't think Japanese notice the difference between different Caucasians to the degree that Westerners might.
What gave you that impression while you were there?
have alot of freinds aswell as fam. in japan, the general impression was built on the fact that the majority of them have nothing nice to say about semitism
have alot of freinds aswell as fam. in japan, the general impression was built on the fact that the majority of them have nothing nice to say about semitism
hmm. Well you are aware that Semetic people are not only Jews right? What gave you or them the impression that Japanese may not like Jews moreso than any other foreign culture? To say the majority of them have nothing nice to say about them is rather odd. In fact I can think of other cultures that they might say something about before Jews.
this is really interesting.... subscribed to read in depth later
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