The Ancient Roots of Japanese Culture and Values

Japan boasts a history of approximately 2,000 years and a distinct culture that was fundamentally nurtured during the 'Jomon' period, spanning over 10,000 years from 13,000 BC to 300 BC. During this period, ancient Japanese communities began to develop small and primitive villages throughout Japan. They also encountered numerous extraordinary natural phenomena such as heavy rain, massive earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and storm surges. Through direct worship of nature itself, they adapted to this new environment. I believe that the underlying core values and culture of the Japanese people, formed during the 'Jomon' period, continue to serve as a solid foundation today. The images below depict 'Haniwa,' which are terra-cotta clay figures from the 6th century that were discovered in the tombs of local ruling families in Japan. Interestingly, some of these 'Haniwa' figures do not resemble Japanese people but rather bear a resemblance to ancient Jewish individuals. Recently, a new theory has been proposed, suggesting that tens of thousands of ancient Jewish people immigrated and settled in Japan during the Yayoi period (B.C. 300 – A.D. 250).

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