Two weekends ago I ventured down south, wound between the cities of Noheji and Towada, wedged my way between steep hills, and followed a narrow road that slips through the tiny village of Shingo. There are three restaurants and one stoplight in this village, so you can imagine how easy it was for me to have accidentally passed the pipe street leading to my friend's house. I pulled into a parking lot to examine my map. It was empty but for a Prius and a single, empty tour bus. As I reached into my pocket to pull out my iPhone, I glanced up at a big sign sitting atop the fence. At first it looked like a typical Japanese poster, with some kanji I was unable to read and some pictures of a Japanese lady dressed in a kimono. Then I spotted the word キリスト (kee-ree-su-to). In English, Christ. I realized I had driven to the very edge of the village. Apparently, a much greater fate than meeting my friends awaited me in Shingo: meeting Japanese Jesus.
According to Shingo legend (or religious doctrine, depending on how you look at it), Jesus did not perish on the cross. Rather, his Japanese brother Isukiri took Jesus's place on the cross so that he could return to Shingo Village, marry a Japanese woman, and live until the ripe age of 106 as a rice farmer. Two large mounds with tall, wooden crosses sit at the top of a steep hill overlooking the village's rice fields and scattered shacks. It is unclear whether Isukiri and Jesus were actually buried there or if they are merely a memorial for the two brothers. What did become clear is that Japanese Jesus may sound more than a bit odd to most Westerners, but is a very serious matter for others.
Two fellow JETs met me in the parking lot before we made our way up the hill to see the graves. We walked along a small stream, passed a cross fashioned out of car tires in the grass, made our way over a little wooden bridge, and hiked up a steep set of steps for about five minutes. After we paused to take some pictures of the few remaining splashes of Autumn color, we noticed a rather big tour group huddled around one of the crosses. We realized that they were not Japanese people, but Caucasians. This was surprising for a number of reasons. First, foreigners are rarely seen in Aomori Prefecture, let alone in a tiny village far removed from any semblance of a city. Second, most people that believe in Jesus are much more likely to believe in the traditional story of his death than the Shingo version. I suspect that some might even find the Japanese version offensive. It is a wonder why these people traveled such a long journey to see two dirt mounds in Shingo Village. And finally, almost nobody, save for some Japanese folk, are likely to have ever heard the story of Japanese Jesus.
It seemed like a tour guide was speaking, so I inched closer to hear what she said. She spoke softly so I only picked up snippets. She mentioned the strife in Egypt, said something about speaking to "those on the other side" and "the Divine One," but the rest of her words were carried away with the wind. I realized that it was not a tour guide speaking, but some sort of religious gathering. A lady with a friendly smile made her way over to us and introduced herself and the others as natives of Scandinavia. They came from the likes of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Russia. This was their third or fourth time visiting Shingo. She said that they met the Russian just in time, as they want all groups to be represented in this crucial time as they strive to achieve their mission.
"What mission is that?" I inquired.
"Well world peace, of course," she responded as if this were obvious.
I am still confused as to what the lady meant about us all spontaneously congregating at this crucial time. Maybe she meant "this crucial time" in history. After all, all hell as seemingly broken loose in parts of the Middle East and warfare now means killing people by sitting behind computers with the single push of a button. But if you think about it, it's not the first time the world has ever experienced globalized warfare, revolutionary changes in weaponry, and evil dictators. I really wish the conversation was less cryptic, as I was very eager to learn about this intriguing set of Scandinavians. It isn't polite to pry, though, so I just smiled and made friendly conversation.
Below is the full story of Japanese Jesus that was posted by the graves.
"When Jesus Christ was 21 years old, he came to Japan and pursued knowledge of divinity for 12 years. He went back to Judea at age 33 and engaged in his mission. However, at that time, people in Judea would not accept Christ's preaching. Instead, they arrested him and tried to crucify him on a cross. His younger brother, Isukiri casually took Christ's place and ended his life on the cross.
Christ, who escaped the crucifixion, went through the ups and downs of travel, and again came to Japan. He settled right here in what is now called Herai Village [on the border of Shingo village], and died at the age of 106.
On this holy ground, there is dedicated a burial mound to the right to deify Christ, and a grave on the left to deify Isukiri.
The above description was given in a testament by Jesus Christ."
Since the testament was given by Jesus Christ, it must be true. I'm not patronizing this story. I mean that if ANYONE ever says something was given in a testament by Jesus Christ or anyone holy, it must be true. Including the incredible stories of Jesus walking on water, turning water into wine, and coming back from the dead. It is written in a holy book, so there you have it. And since the Shingo allegations are also given by a holy person, Jesus Christ himself, it must also be true. The two stories contradict each other, but I do not think it's fair to accuse one story of lying since we don't have the grounds to prove it. Therefore, all of it must be true.
The only problem I have with the above description is that Isukiri "casually took Christ's place...on the cross." I didn't know that one could be "casually" crucified, as if it is some everyday task. Regardless, what Isukiri did for his brother is remarkably selfless and I cannot say that I would do the same for my brothers (sorry, Ken and Ben).
This post is not meant to be offensive and I in no way mean to make fun of the local belief in rice farmer Jesus, although it is quite amusing and unlike any Christian story I have heard. But that is just it: any religious story can be equally as amusing if it hadn't already been popularized. Visiting Shingo was a revelation in that respect; people that have seemingly controversial beliefs really are not that different from you and me. I believe my Shingo experience is one of the many examples of how being immersed in a foreign culture has made me more understanding of people different than myself.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day in Shingo and we captured some nice shots, which I have posted below for your viewing pleasure.
New stories soon to come, including my adventures on the northern most tip of Japan, eating the world's most expensive (and delicious) tuna, and a trip to a family friendly salmon festival (minus the legal dogfighting).
According to Shingo legend (or religious doctrine, depending on how you look at it), Jesus did not perish on the cross. Rather, his Japanese brother Isukiri took Jesus's place on the cross so that he could return to Shingo Village, marry a Japanese woman, and live until the ripe age of 106 as a rice farmer. Two large mounds with tall, wooden crosses sit at the top of a steep hill overlooking the village's rice fields and scattered shacks. It is unclear whether Isukiri and Jesus were actually buried there or if they are merely a memorial for the two brothers. What did become clear is that Japanese Jesus may sound more than a bit odd to most Westerners, but is a very serious matter for others.
Two fellow JETs met me in the parking lot before we made our way up the hill to see the graves. We walked along a small stream, passed a cross fashioned out of car tires in the grass, made our way over a little wooden bridge, and hiked up a steep set of steps for about five minutes. After we paused to take some pictures of the few remaining splashes of Autumn color, we noticed a rather big tour group huddled around one of the crosses. We realized that they were not Japanese people, but Caucasians. This was surprising for a number of reasons. First, foreigners are rarely seen in Aomori Prefecture, let alone in a tiny village far removed from any semblance of a city. Second, most people that believe in Jesus are much more likely to believe in the traditional story of his death than the Shingo version. I suspect that some might even find the Japanese version offensive. It is a wonder why these people traveled such a long journey to see two dirt mounds in Shingo Village. And finally, almost nobody, save for some Japanese folk, are likely to have ever heard the story of Japanese Jesus.
It seemed like a tour guide was speaking, so I inched closer to hear what she said. She spoke softly so I only picked up snippets. She mentioned the strife in Egypt, said something about speaking to "those on the other side" and "the Divine One," but the rest of her words were carried away with the wind. I realized that it was not a tour guide speaking, but some sort of religious gathering. A lady with a friendly smile made her way over to us and introduced herself and the others as natives of Scandinavia. They came from the likes of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Russia. This was their third or fourth time visiting Shingo. She said that they met the Russian just in time, as they want all groups to be represented in this crucial time as they strive to achieve their mission.
"What mission is that?" I inquired.
"Well world peace, of course," she responded as if this were obvious.
I am still confused as to what the lady meant about us all spontaneously congregating at this crucial time. Maybe she meant "this crucial time" in history. After all, all hell as seemingly broken loose in parts of the Middle East and warfare now means killing people by sitting behind computers with the single push of a button. But if you think about it, it's not the first time the world has ever experienced globalized warfare, revolutionary changes in weaponry, and evil dictators. I really wish the conversation was less cryptic, as I was very eager to learn about this intriguing set of Scandinavians. It isn't polite to pry, though, so I just smiled and made friendly conversation.
Below is the full story of Japanese Jesus that was posted by the graves.
"When Jesus Christ was 21 years old, he came to Japan and pursued knowledge of divinity for 12 years. He went back to Judea at age 33 and engaged in his mission. However, at that time, people in Judea would not accept Christ's preaching. Instead, they arrested him and tried to crucify him on a cross. His younger brother, Isukiri casually took Christ's place and ended his life on the cross.
Christ, who escaped the crucifixion, went through the ups and downs of travel, and again came to Japan. He settled right here in what is now called Herai Village [on the border of Shingo village], and died at the age of 106.
On this holy ground, there is dedicated a burial mound to the right to deify Christ, and a grave on the left to deify Isukiri.
The above description was given in a testament by Jesus Christ."
Since the testament was given by Jesus Christ, it must be true. I'm not patronizing this story. I mean that if ANYONE ever says something was given in a testament by Jesus Christ or anyone holy, it must be true. Including the incredible stories of Jesus walking on water, turning water into wine, and coming back from the dead. It is written in a holy book, so there you have it. And since the Shingo allegations are also given by a holy person, Jesus Christ himself, it must also be true. The two stories contradict each other, but I do not think it's fair to accuse one story of lying since we don't have the grounds to prove it. Therefore, all of it must be true.
The only problem I have with the above description is that Isukiri "casually took Christ's place...on the cross." I didn't know that one could be "casually" crucified, as if it is some everyday task. Regardless, what Isukiri did for his brother is remarkably selfless and I cannot say that I would do the same for my brothers (sorry, Ken and Ben).
This post is not meant to be offensive and I in no way mean to make fun of the local belief in rice farmer Jesus, although it is quite amusing and unlike any Christian story I have heard. But that is just it: any religious story can be equally as amusing if it hadn't already been popularized. Visiting Shingo was a revelation in that respect; people that have seemingly controversial beliefs really are not that different from you and me. I believe my Shingo experience is one of the many examples of how being immersed in a foreign culture has made me more understanding of people different than myself.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day in Shingo and we captured some nice shots, which I have posted below for your viewing pleasure.
New stories soon to come, including my adventures on the northern most tip of Japan, eating the world's most expensive (and delicious) tuna, and a trip to a family friendly salmon festival (minus the legal dogfighting).