Ancient Immigrant Clans Naturalized in Japan
Journey and Legends in Search of Immigrant Clan Traces
Having completed my research along the San’in region on the Sea of Japan side, I swiftly crossed the Seto Inland Sea into Shikoku. During this research journey, I explored ancestral history, traditional folk crafts (Mingei), and Kagura in the San’in region, and conducted another investigation in Takahashi, a mountainous region of Okayama Prefecture. From there, I entered Shikoku for the latter part of my research, mainly investigating the western region of Sanuki Province (present-day Kagawa Prefecture), and have now moved into Awa Province (present-day Tokushima Prefecture).
The purpose of my research in Shikoku concerns the mysteries of ancient clans in Japan. Numerous ancient clans existed, and the prevalence of immigrant clans is astonishing. While most of these clans originated from China and Korea, some potentially extend as far as Central Asia and the Middle East, suggesting we may need to consider a broader scope of immigration.
Even just on this trip, numerous legends of immigrant clans were evident in Iwami Province (western Shimane Prefecture), deeply hinted at within myths from ancient texts like Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. Indeed, locals recount that due to ocean currents flowing directly from the Korean Peninsula to Iwami, people departing from Korea undoubtedly landed there. Walking along the coast of Iwami, one can even see numerous plastic items labeled in Korean washed ashore, illustrating contemporary currents.
However, in Japan, due to the imperative of situating the emperor’s lineage firmly within the Japanese narrative, the immigration route for ancestral clans is strictly limited to northern Kyushu, ignoring other possible sea routes. The reasons for this restriction are complex and closely tied to imperial origins, which I will discuss further at an appropriate time.
Moreover, as I mentioned yesterday, local traditions from Inaba Province (present-day Tottori Prefecture) indicate that ancient Miko (巫女, shrine maiden) “Yakamihime (八上比売)” was from an immigrant clan. Such information is rarely discussed publicly, and even I was unaware of it until yesterday, when an elderly woman at a shrine shared this story. Yet, detailed research reveals the fascinating truth that ancient Japan was composed far more diversely than anyone might imagine. The challenge remains whether this possibility will be accepted, as the Japanese populace might require considerable time to embrace such ideas fully.
Entering Shikoku as my research continues, the Yoshino River basin in Tokushima Prefecture distinctly demonstrates significant cultural differences between its western and eastern regions. These differences are rooted in the area’s historical development by different immigrant clans. Investigating this involves analyzing place names, shrines, deities worshipped, religious beliefs, and local legends. Readers may find it particularly surprising that one of these immigrant clans in western Tokushima Prefecture is believed to be of Jewish origin.