Tamuramaro Sakanoue
Shalom, Lost History, but never forgotten.
I want to give thanks to our heavenly father who created the heavens and earth. There is a scripture that reminds me of the today’s Israelites,” Then will I pluck them up by the root out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a PROVERB and a BYWORD among all NATIONS.”, 2 Chronicles chp: 7, verse 20. Tamuramaro Sakanoue perhaps is the key to unlock the where abouts of the Israelites are located in Japan. ”And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone”, Deuteronomy chp: 28 verse 64. There was an Anthropologist named, Alexander Francis Chamberlain who wrote an essay called, ”The Contribution of The Negro To Human Civilization”. In his essay he made reference depicting the Tamuramaro Sakanoue as being Negro. “And we can cross the whole of Asia ancestors of the modern Japanese were making their way northward against the Ainu, the aborigines of that country, the leader of their armies was Sakanoue Tamuramaro, a famous general and a Negro.”, page 485. Before I proceed, we must understand that the so-called Negro or Black is part of the Semitic tribes (Hyksos and Asiatic are terminologies are considered Semitic people). What I found interesting the Israelites had a code of honor similar to the Samurai or Shogun. There was no direct statement in the book called, “Code Of The Samurai, Bushido The Soul Of Japan”, by Inazo Nitobe which stated that the Samurai or Shogun is required to take their own life if they lost a battle. This code was more so described as a court proceeding if there were violations committed on the behalf of the Samurai,” Now my readers will understand that seppuku was not a mere suicidal process. It was an institution, legal and ceremonial. An invention of the middle ages, it was process by which warriors could expiate their crimes, apologize for errors, escape from disgrace, redeem their friends, or prove their sincerity. When enforced as a legal punishment, it practiced with due ceremony.” Perhaps seppuku was executed if the Samurai did lose in a battle,” If a samurai felt that he had lost his honor (or was about to lose it) according to the rules of bushido, he could regain his standing by committing a rather painful form of ritual suicide, called "seppuku." https://www.thoughtco.com. Saul in 2 Samuel Chp:1 verse 8 to 11, lost a battle with the Philistines. he saw Amalekite as he fled the battle. Saul asked him to take his life, because he has ”fallen”. The stranger granted his wish and killed him,” I stood upon him and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen”. The impression I received the Israelites practiced some form seppuku if lost in battle. When the Romans invaded Gadara, and Jotapata by Vespasian met some Israelites that gave up their life before they surrendered,” This provoked a great many, even of those chosen men that were about Josephus, to kill themselves with their own hands; for when they resolved to prevent being killed by the Romans, and got together in great numbers, utmost parts of the city, and killed themselves”’ page 784, Josephus, The Complete Works translated by William Whiston A.M. Based on the testimony of Alexander Francis Chamberlain, scriptures, historical documents and seppuku practices there are Israelites in Japan.
Exploring history is always an adventure, and recently, I’ve been completely captivated by the story surrounding Sakanoue Tamuramaro, a name that might not immediately ring a bell for everyone, but whose potential legacy could rewrite parts of ancient history. It's truly amazing how a single figure can open up such a vast discussion about cultural origins and hidden connections. So, who exactly was Sakanoue Tamuramaro? Historically, he was a prominent general and statesman of the early Heian period in Japan, renowned for his military campaigns against the Emishi, indigenous people of northern Japan. He became the first Shogun (Seii Taishōgun) and is celebrated as a military hero, instrumental in expanding the imperial court's control. But beyond his military prowess, there's a fascinating, albeit controversial, theory surrounding his ancestry that has really sparked my curiosity. The article mentioned Alexander Francis Chamberlain’s essay, which boldly depicted Tamuramaro as being 'Negro.' This isn't just about racial identity in the modern sense; it often points to a broader understanding of Semitic or African connections that might have been present in ancient migrations. For me, this raises so many questions: what did 'Negro' signify in Chamberlain's time and context? Was it about physical traits, or a perceived lineage linking to groups outside of East Asia? This idea challenges conventional historical narratives and pushes us to consider a more interconnected ancient world than we often imagine. The thought of such a significant figure like Sakanoue having these unexpected ties is truly mind-boggling. What truly ties this all together for me is the proposed link between these 'Negro' origins and the lost tribes of Israel. The article references scriptures like 2 Chronicles and Deuteronomy, speaking of a scattered people. When you start to connect these dots – the historical accounts of migrations, the idea of a 'byword among all nations' – and then consider the possibility of Israelites arriving in Japan, it paints a vivid picture. It's a theory that requires a lot of deep diving and open-mindedness, but the implications are profound, suggesting a much richer tapestry of human movement and cultural exchange than is commonly taught. Another striking parallel that caught my attention was the comparison between the Israelite practice of ritual suicide in dire circumstances and the Japanese concept of Seppuku within the Samurai code. The article highlighted that Seppuku wasn't just suicide but a complex institution of honor, atonement, and legal consequence. Similarly, the account of Saul in the Bible, or the Israelites in Gadara and Jotapata from Josephus, shows instances where death was chosen over surrender or disgrace. This isn't to say one directly copied the other, but the existence of such a deeply ingrained honor-driven self-sacrifice in two seemingly disparate cultures makes you wonder about shared ancient principles or perhaps even cultural diffusion over millennia. It really makes you reflect on the universal human quest for honor and dignity, even in the face of inevitable defeat. My personal takeaway is how these ancient codes, whether of the Samurai or the Israelites, reflect a profound commitment to certain ideals, sometimes even above life itself. Ultimately, delving into the story of Sakanoue Tamuramaro and these incredible connections has been an eye-opening experience. It’s a powerful reminder that history is rarely as straightforward as textbooks suggest, and there are always deeper layers and hidden narratives waiting to be uncovered.