Friday, August 24, 2018

Japanese and Jewish Connections: Language and The Lost Tribes Of Israel Found

Seven videos in this set attempt to show that some of all of the ten lost tribes of Israel ended up In Japan, following the Silk Road to get there.

Mystery
The format of the show, all about mysteries, was a bit annoying, with its noise and gasping. The rousing music also struck me as more related to fiction than fact.

I did like the fact that I learned the Japanese word for mystery which was repeated many times and sounds like the English:
mysterio

This was in contrast to the thorough research quality. The videos showed interviews with experts, remote temples, rabbis and researchers in Israel and Japan. So what were the similarities?

LANGUAGE
The similarities of many words of Hebrew with words of Japanese struck me as interesting but merely an oddity.

MASK
The mask from a Japanese temple showing a man with a big Western nose was interesting.

WRESTLING
The idea that Sumo wrestlers were related to the Bible hand to hand combat  was totally unexpected.  I thought of David and Goliath. Logically, I felt this was more part of a pattern of worldwide activity, not necessarily a direct connection between those two countries, to the exclusion of all others.

BLACK BOXES
The two factors which really impressed me were: firstly, the little boxes tied to the head. In orthodox synagogues and homes yuou see them. They are little black leather boxes containing words of the bible written on parchment.

Secondly, the paintings carried through the streets for a Japanese festival, showing bible stories.

Eventually, I got used to the all gasping format. Worth another look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqIiKVPdV1A&feature=share

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have several posts on visiting Japan and Israel and the Japanese and Hebrew languages. Please bookmark and share links with your friends and family.

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