The Fujiwara Clan and Sekkan Politics: The Pinnacle of Aristocratic Rule

In 1185, the era transitioned from the Heian period to the Kamakura period. The Kamakura shogunate began with Minamoto no Yoritomo, followed by Yoriie and Sanetomo, but the Minamoto bloodline ended with these three generations. This led to a question of who would be the next (4th) shogun.

The answer came from the aristocratic Sekkan-ke (regent and chancellor families) Fujiwara clan. The 4th Kamakura Shogun, Fujiwara no Yoritsune, and his son, the 5th Shogun Yoritsugu, both descended from the Fujiwara family. Here, we see a fusion of aristocracy and samurai, with the Fujiwara clan once again standing at the apex of the samurai government.

However, the Fujiwara clan’s political influence as the Sekkan-ke gradually declined, eventually splitting into five branches: Konoe, Takatsukasa, Kujō, Nijō, and Ichijō. These were known as the “Go-Sekke (Five Regent Houses),” and key positions like Regent and Chancellor began to be appointed by rotation from among these five families. This system remarkably continued until the Meiji Restoration, and an unwritten rule that “only members of the Go-Sekke could assume the roles of Regent or Chancellor” was long observed.

One notable exception was the Sengoku period warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He formally overcame this unwritten rule by becoming an adopted son of the Konoe family, thereby ascending to the position of Kanpaku (Chancellor).

Though the Fujiwara clan, divided into the Go-Sekke, lost direct political power, they maintained their aristocratic authority, presiding over court ceremonies and rituals. They resided in Kyoto and continuously maintained ties with the imperial family. Of particular note is the fact that successive empresses were chosen from the Go-Sekke. This custom continued until the era of Emperor Shōwa.

Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后) was the empress of Emperor Shōwa and the principal consort of the 124th Emperor, Emperor Shōwa (His Majesty Hirohito). She was a significant female imperial family member in modern Japanese history, living through a turbulent period from the late Meiji era to the early Heisei era as Empress and later as Empress Dowager. Empress Kōjun was the first empress of Emperor Shōwa who was not from the Go-Sekke since their establishment. The Fujiwara family, astonishingly, continued to be influential until the 20th century.

In the Meiji era, with the introduction of the cabinet system, the regent and chancellor system was abolished. Instead, a new peerage system was established, with five ranks: Duke (kōshaku), Marquess (kōshaku), Count (hakushaku), Viscount (shishaku), and Baron (danshaku). The heads of the Go-Sekke were granted the highest rank of “Duke,” with the Konoe family considered the foremost among them.

From this Konoe family, in the Shōwa era, a prime minister, Fumimaro Konoe (近衛文麿) (1891–1945), emerged. At this point, the Fujiwara clan once again assumed a position of power, albeit with a powerful Emperor above them. The grandson of this Fumimaro Konoe is Morihiro Hosokawa (細川護熙) (born 1938), who became prime minister in 1993 (Heisei 5). Furthermore, Mr. Hosokawa is a direct descendant of the Sengoku period warlord Hosokawa Tadaoki and his wife, Hosokawa Gracia.

Thus, even though the Fujiwara clan seemed to temporarily disappear from the forefront of history, their descendants continued to breathe life into the core of the political world well into the 20th century.

Successive Emperors

In Japan, the Emperor is regarded as the symbolic figure who governs the nation. The Emperor’s relatives and spouses are called imperial family members (kōzoku), and collectively, the Emperor and imperial family are referred to as the Imperial Household (kōshitsu). Male imperial family members are called “Shin’nō (Imperial Prince)” or “Ō (Prince),” while female imperial family members are called “Shin’nōhi (Imperial Princess Consort)” or “Ōhi (Princess Consort).” Ordinary women can become members of the Imperial Household (imperial family members) by marrying the Crown Prince, etc.

On the other hand, female imperial family members such as Shin’nōhi and Ōhi are expected to leave the Imperial Household and relinquish their imperial family status if they marry someone who is not an imperial family member.

• Emperor Taishō: Considered the 123rd Emperor of Japan. Emperor Taishō was the first person in Japan to practice monogamy (though the text mistakenly says polygamy, it’s widely accepted that he was monogamous in practice and by modern understanding).

• Empress Teimei: Empress Teimei was also known as “Kurohime” (Black Princess) and was considered to have a dignified demeanor.

• Emperor Shōwa: Considered the 124th Emperor of Japan.

• Emperor Emeritus (Emperor Heisei): The first son of Emperor Shōwa. Currently called Emperor Emeritus.

• Empress Emerita (Empress Heisei): Michiko-sama, the wife of the current Emperor Emeritus. Currently called Empress Emerita.

• Emperor Reiwa: (The current Emperor)

The Roots of the Imperial Family

Ancient Myths and Sealed Truths: The Battle of the Tenson Clan and Izumo Clan, the Conflict Between Two Tenson and the Izumo Clan

Ancient Japanese myths and history hide deep stories that are not covered in textbooks. Among them, particular attention should be paid to the existence of Nigihayahi-no-Mikoto (饒速日命), a deity of “Tenson Kōrin” (Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild). It is said that before Ninigi-no-Mikoto, famous as the grandson of Amaterasu Omikami, descended to earth, another…

Amaterasu Omikami, considered the ancestor of the Emperor, is a deity symbolizing the sun. From this deity was born Amenoshihomimi-no-Mikoto, then Ninigi-no-Mikoto, and their descendants with the earthly deity Konohanasakuya-hime-no-Mikoto eventually led to the first Emperor, Emperor Jinmu.

However, there is a theory that the original form of the goddess Amaterasu Omikami was actually a male deity named “Amateru.” His formal name is said to be “Amaterukunituruhikoamenohoakari kushimikata manigihayahi-no-mikoto” (天照国照彦天火明櫛甕玉饒速日命), and it is also said that Amateru was replaced by the goddess Amaterasu Omikami by Ninigi-no-Mikoto, who came from the continent.

The Imperial Zaibatsu (Financial Conglomerate)

In modern times, zaibatsu such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and Yasuda are well-known, but the “Imperial Zaibatsu” is spoken of as an entity that far surpasses them. This refers to the assets owned by the Imperial Family and Imperial Household, and their scale is said to be more than 10 times that of the four major zaibatsu combined. While such information is rarely publicly discussed, it is an undeniable factor in deciphering modern Japanese history.

Thus, in Japanese history, specific lineages like the Imperial Family and the Fujiwara clan have continuously remained at the center of the nation, albeit in different forms. Behind the superficial changes in the ruling class, the deeply rooted power of these clans has been continuously inherited.

.

.

.

.

Here are the secrets and forbidden taboos of the Emperor and the Imperial Family.

The Deep Roots of Ancient Japanese History: The Minamoto and Fujiwara Clans

Currently, the theory that the world’s history itself has been altered is gaining increasing attention. Especially with the spread of information about “Mudflood” and the “Tartarian Empire,” many questions have also been raised about Japanese history.

In conclusion, Japanese history can be said to be the unfolding of four major lineages: the Imperial Family, Minamoto (Genji), Taira (Heishi), and Fujiwara clans. Among them, the Minamoto clan, which pioneered samurai governance, originally originated from descendants of the Emperor.

Against this backdrop, this article will trace the flow from the origins of the Minamoto clan to the Fujiwara clan, delving into the grand tapestry that connects to the current Emperor.

Who Were the Minamoto Clan?

Definition of the Minamoto Clan

The definition of the Minamoto clan is as follows:

1. Former imperial family members who were demoted from imperial status to commoner status (賜姓皇族 – shisei kōzoku, bestowed surname imperial family).
2. A clan that was bestowed the surname (氏 – uji) of “Minamoto” (源).

It is crucial that both of these requirements are met.

The Minamoto clan (源氏 / Genji / Minamoto-shi) originated when descendants of the Emperor left the Imperial Family through “shinseki kōka” (臣籍降下 – demotion to commoner status) and were granted a surname (氏). This means the Minamoto clan were “former imperial family members” and were genealogically connected to the Emperor.

Among them, the Minamoto clan, which laid the foundation for samurai governance, was in fact a noble lineage with roots in the Imperial Family.

The Emperor had many children, but only some of them could become Emperor. A principle was established that imperial family members who could not become Emperor would, in principle, be “demoted from imperial status to commoner status” (臣籍降下) after four generations. This “shinseki kōka” meant removing imperial family members who had no prospect of becoming Emperor from the Imperial Family register by giving them a “surname,” placing them in the status of a subject.

“Imperial family members with no prospect of becoming Emperor” refers to, for example, those whose mothers had low status or who were distantly related to the Emperor. Shinseki kōka meant removing such individuals from the Imperial Family register by giving them a “surname.” In other words, those who underwent shinseki kōka ceased to be members of the Imperial Family.

The relocation of the capital to Heijo-kyo, which marked the “beginning of the Heian period,” was actually a concise starting point for the generational competition with the Fujiwara clan. The Minamoto clan’s lineage, especially the main branches that led to the later “Kawamoto Emperor” and “Minamoto no Yoshiina,” attempted to survive by “wielding the shield of profit and law,” as it was said that “even with many children, good connections are difficult to find.”

Emperor Shōmu and Emperor Kanmu

• Emperor Shōmu

• Emperor Kanmu

While they were imperial family members, they could live on the national treasury. But once they ceased to be imperial family members, they had to take up noble work and earn money on their own. The Emperor no longer needed to support them with national finances, allowing them to pursue their desired policies. This shinseki kōka, therefore, began around the time the Ritsuryō codes were established in the Nara period as an economic policy for the imperial family.

Despite these economic policies, two emperors, Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇) and Emperor Kanmu (桓武天皇), spent excessively, leading to severe national financial difficulties. In the early 9th century, the burden fell upon Emperor Saga (嵯峨天皇), Emperor Kanmu’s son.

The Taira clan (平氏 / Heishi) is a general term for families who were granted the surname “Taira” when imperial family members were demoted to commoner status, including the Kanmu Taira clan, which originated from Prince Takamochi, a descendant of Emperor Kanmu. In particular, the faction centered around Taira no Kiyomori is sometimes called the “Heike.”

Emperor Saga’s Decision

In the early 9th century, Emperor Saga, to avoid future economic hardship for his children, had a remarkable 32 children demoted to commoner status and granted the surname “Minamoto.” This is where the name “Minamoto clan” was born, and they would eventually rise as nobles or samurai.

Seiwa Genji and the Birth of the Samurai

Among the Minamoto clan, the most famous is the “Seiwa Genji.” This lineage began with Tsunemoto, a descendant of Emperor Seiwa, and includes figures like Minamoto no Yoritomo and Yoshitsune. The establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate was precisely by this Seiwa Genji.

Among the numerous Minamoto lineages, only a select few prospered, with most dying out within a few generations. Several of these lineages managed to survive, with the Saga Genji, Uda Genji, Seiwa Genji, and Murakami Genji being the four most famous branches. And it is from this “Seiwa Genji” that the samurai lineage leading to Minamoto no Yoritomo emerged. From this point, the “Seiwa Genji” became a renowned samurai lineage.

The ancestor of the Seiwa Genji samurai was Tsunemoto, the son of Imperial Prince Sadazumi (貞純親王), the sixth son of Emperor Seiwa (reigned 858–876). Tsunemoto, who was granted the Minamoto surname upon being demoted from imperial status, distinguished himself by quelling the Taira no Masakado Rebellion in the Kanto region in 940 and the Fujiwara no Sumitomo Rebellion (Jōhei-Tengyō Rebellion) the following year.

Who Were the Fujiwara Clan?

The Fujiwara clan began with Nakatomi no Kamatari, who was granted the surname “Fujiwara” by Emperor Tenji. His son, Fujiwara no Fuhito, was involved in the establishment of the Ritsuryō system and the compilation of the Nihon Shoki, and thereafter, the Fujiwara clan strengthened its influence within the imperial court.

The day before Nakatomi no Kamatari passed away, Prince Naka no Ōe (中大兄皇子), later Emperor Tenji (天智天皇) (626–672), told Nakatomi no Kamatari, who had served him for a long time, out of gratitude, “You shall be named Fujiwara.” This is where the surname “Fujiwara clan (藤原氏)” began.

Fujiwara no Fuhito (藤原不比等) left his mark as a successor to Fujiwara. He succeeded his father Kamatari, laid the foundation of the Fujiwara clan, and is effectively its de facto founder. Fujiwara no Fuhito had four sons: Muchimaro (武智麻呂), Fusasaki (房前), Umakai (宇合), and Maro (麻呂).

The Fujiwara clan’s legacy began as “servants” who managed the Emperor’s affairs conveniently. The surname, which began as a “bestowed gift,” eventually underwent such abstraction that it unilaterally controlled history as the invasion of conquerors. These four sons later founded four distinct family lines.

Establishment of Sekkan Politics

During the Heian period, the Fujiwara clan married their daughters to emperors and, as their maternal relatives, occupied the positions of Regent (Sesshō) and Chancellor (Kanpaku), implementing “Sekkan politics.” “Sekkan politics” refers to a system where the Regent and Chancellor act on behalf of the Emperor when the Emperor is too young or sickly to govern.

AI Overview: Sesshō and Kanpaku

Both Sesshō and Kanpaku are positions that assist the Emperor, but Sesshō is a position that acts as a proxy for the Emperor’s authority and handles state affairs when the Emperor is young or sickly and unable to govern. On the other hand, Kanpaku assists an adult Emperor and handles state affairs. Therefore, Sesshō can be said to have greater power than Kanpaku in that it acts as a proxy for the Emperor’s authority.

• Sesshō (摂政): A position that acts as a proxy for the Emperor’s authority and handles state affairs when the Emperor is young or sickly. They govern the nation in place of the Emperor and make important decisions. As the Fujiwara clan often became Sesshō as maternal relatives, they played a central role in Sekkan politics.
  • Examples: Prince Shōtoku as Sesshō to Empress Suiko, Fujiwara no Michinaga as Sesshō, etc.
• Kanpaku (関白): A position that assists an adult Emperor and supports state affairs. They help the Emperor make decisions and assist in planning and executing policies. Although their authority is considered less than that of a Sesshō, they sometimes held substantial political power by gaining the Emperor’s trust.
  • Examples: Fujiwara no Mototsune as Kanpaku to Emperor Seiwa, Toyotomi Hideyoshi as Kanpaku, etc.

Particularly during the era of Fujiwara no Michinaga and his son Yorimichi, their power reached its peak, leading to the famous poem, “This world, I think, is my world…” This Fujiwara Northern House married their daughters or sisters to emperors and had their sons become the next emperors. This was called the “Gaiseki policy” (外戚政策 – maternal relatives policy).

As a result, what happened to the head of the Fujiwara Northern House? By seizing real power as the maternal grandfather of the Emperor, they could monopolize the positions of “Sesshō” and “Kanpaku” who assisted the Emperor, and lead politics. In other words, they could say, “I am the Emperor’s grandfather,” or “I am the Emperor’s uncle,” and thus maintain power. The position of “Kanpaku” began to appear around 887-888 CE.

The Truth of the Imperial Family and the Contradiction of “Bansei Ikkei” (Unbroken Imperial Line)

The Emperors of Japan are said to have continued in an “unbroken imperial line” for 126 generations from the first Emperor Jinmu, but this is based on myth and political pretense, and historically, many contradictions exist.

Division of the Northern and Southern Courts (1336–1392 CE)

The “Nanboku-chō period” (南北朝時代), where the Southern Court (Emperor Go-Daigo) and the Northern Court (Emperor supported by Ashikaga Takauji) coexisted, was a period when the legitimate imperial lineage nearly died out. As a result, the Northern Court prevailed, and the modern Imperial Family descends from that line, but it is merely a “politically chosen legitimacy.”

Imperial Lineage Substitution Theory

From a conspiracy theory or spiritual perspective, there is a theory that “the original sacred imperial lineage has already died out, and the current imperial lineage has been replaced by a different bloodline, such as the Fujiwara or Minamoto clans.” Furthermore, claims of the existence of a “hidden Emperor” and the Imperial Family being integrated into a Deep State (DS) control structure are also seen.

Rise and Fall of the Minamoto Clan

Minamoto no Makoto (the first Minamoto), Minamoto no Hiromu (the second Minamoto), Minamoto no Tokiwa (the third Minamoto), etc., rose as central nobles. However, their court ranks gradually declined, with men reaching only local official levels, and many women facing situations where they could not marry.

The eldest son, called the “First Minamoto,” was named Minamoto no Makoto (源信). He was given prime land in the capital and steadily rose as a noble, eventually reaching the court rank of Junior Second Rank and Minister of the Left. However, Minamoto no Makoto was later caught up in the “Ōtenmon Incident” and accused of arson. Although the arson charges were later cleared, he passed away shortly after due to the shock.

Next, his younger brother, called the “Second Minamoto,” was Minamoto no Hiromu (源弘). Minamoto no Hiromu rose to Junior Third Rank and Major Counselor. The third Minamoto, his younger brother Minamoto no Tokiwa (源常), also rose to Junior Second Rank and Minister of the Left. Therefore, despite Emperor Saga’s sons being demoted to commoner status, they were in a position to live more than comfortably.

However, two or three generations later, many individuals’ ranks dropped to “Junior Fifth Rank” (Kokushi level)… that is, to the level of local governors. Even though they were from the former Imperial Family (former imperial relatives), their prestige disappeared within a single generation. While things were still better for men, women faced harsh fates. There were 15 women among those demoted to commoner status, but astonishingly, only one of them was able to marry.

Among the numerous Minamoto branches, only a limited few, such as the Seiwa Genji, survived as samurai families, eventually leading to Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Fujiwara Clan and the Political Structure of the Heian Period

• Beginning of the Fujiwara Family: Nakatomi no Kamatari was granted the surname “Fujiwara” by Emperor Tenji, and his descendants split into four families (Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Umakai, Maro families), establishing their power.
• Establishment of Sekkan Politics and the Rise of the Northern House: Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu of the Fujiwara Northern House was appointed Kurodo no Tō (Head of the Imperial Secretariat) by Emperor Saga, establishing a system where they influenced politics as Sesshō and Kanpaku.
• Michinaga at His Peak: Fujiwara no Michinaga, who saw the golden age of Sekkan politics, married his daughters to emperors, dominated politics from the position of “I am the Emperor’s grandfather,” and even had his daughter write The Tale of Genji to seize both authority and culture.

Framework of the Heian Period

The first half of the Heian period (approx. 400 years) progressed with a three-stage dominance structure: “Emperor 100 years – Fujiwara 200 years – Emperor 100 years.” The first period was the direct rule by Emperors Kanmu and Saga, the second period was Sekkan politics by the Fujiwara clan, and the third period saw the return of imperial governance.

The power of the Fujiwara clan reached its highest level during the era of Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原道長) (966–1028). Remember this around the year 1000. Fujiwara no Michinaga began by making his daughter Shōshi (彰子) a consort to Emperor Ichijō, and eventually married four of his daughters to emperors, becoming the grandfather of three emperors.

Emperor Ichijō and Shōshi’s son later became Emperor Go-Ichijō (後一条天皇). There was a person who became the empress of this Emperor Go-Ichijō. This empress was none other than Shōshi’s younger sister! Incredibly, he married his own mother’s sister. In this era, the Imperial Family and the Fujiwara family were completely intertwined.

The attendant of Fujiwara no Michinaga’s daughter Shōshi was Murasaki Shikibu (紫式部), who wrote The Tale of Genji. (Attendant here means someone responsible for education, like a tutor.)

Before Fujiwara no Michinaga rose to power, the top position was held by Michinaga’s older brother, Fujiwara no Michitaka (藤原道隆). Michitaka had a daughter named Teishi (定子). Teishi, in fact, became Emperor Ichijō’s consort even before Shōshi. This means Emperor Ichijō had two empresses, Shōshi and Teishi. Serving as Teishi’s attendant was Sei Shōnagon (清少納言). Although both Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shōnagon served as attendants to Emperor Ichijō’s consorts, they actually never met each other in the imperial court.

Fujiwara no Michinaga wanted his daughter Shōshi to be favored by Emperor Ichijō, to become his consort, and furthermore, to have children between them. Michinaga thought of a way to make the Emperor favor Shōshi and visit her. Michinaga, realizing Murasaki Shikibu, Shōshi’s attendant, had literary talent, gave her a brush and had her write The Tale of Genji. For Michinaga, The Tale of Genji was a tool for his own advancement. What Michinaga, as a politician, valued most was securing the tools for his own advancement. That was The Tale of Genji.

When Fujiwara no Michinaga’s era ended, the next era was that of Michinaga’s son, Fujiwara no Yorimichi (藤原頼通) (992–1074), famous for Byōdō-in Hōōdō. In this era, the Fujiwara family’s power began to wane. Two of his daughters married to emperors died without bearing sons. Afterward, Emperor Go-Sanjō (後三条天皇) (1032–1073) emerged. This Emperor disregarded the Fujiwara family and conducted “direct imperial rule,” meaning the Emperor himself managed politics. Eventually, Fujiwara’s influence declined, and the baton was passed to the era of the Minamoto and Taira clans, eventually leading to the Kamakura Shogunate.

Flow Connecting to the Modern Emperor

The samurai government, which began with Minamoto no Yoritomo, lasted for about 700 years. However, in modern times, it has transformed into a symbolic imperial system, a position that does not involve political affairs. The current 126th Emperor carries the history and culture of the Imperial Family, Minamoto clan, Fujiwara clan, and Taira clan on his shoulders.

Spiritual Perspective

There is a growing movement to understand history from a spiritual perspective, incorporating concepts like energy and soul codes.

What is Energy Analysis?

It’s an approach that asserts that people, nations, bloodlines, and land have unique “vibrations” or “energetic characteristics,” and by reading them, the truth can be revealed.

What is Soul Code Consideration?

This idea suggests that the soul carries codes (purpose, karma, tendencies) that are carried over with each reincarnation, and that the soul’s mission is predetermined to some extent by bloodline and role. The Imperial Family is sometimes seen as carrying some symbolic role as the “center of collective consciousness.”

How much of the shrines and crests (chrysanthemum crest, 18-petal chrysanthemum, 16-petal chrysanthemum), Imperial Family rituals, and Japan itself as a nation are truly “true Japan”? Perhaps exploring this is our historical and spiritual mission.

Summary

And to the Current Emperor

Successive Emperors have quietly maintained their existence and position as “Emperors” behind the powerful clans like the Fujiwara and Minamoto. The current 126th Emperor is “Hanashige Tarō” (繁殖太郎).

The name “Hanashige Tarō” is not a proper noun with any specific meaning. However, the word “Hanashige” (繁殖) refers to the biological process of increasing offspring, and “Tarō” is a common male name. Therefore, the name “Hanashige Tarō” might be used with a wish for prosperity of descendants or a sense of familiarity.

Its significance is an introduced existence, and it can be said to be “weaving a history of concepts similar to religion” that transcends simple political gain.

Surprisingly Many? Descendants of the Minamoto Clan

By researching your family tree, you might discover connections to historical figures. A great appeal of creating a family tree is that you can view Japanese history not as something “other” but as something “personal.” If you think about it, in this island nation of Japan, your ancestors must have lived somewhere during the periods studied in Japanese history, so it’s not at all uncommon to be connected to historical figures throughout its long history.

• Surname
• Family Crest (Kamon)
• Family Register (Old Permanent Domicile)

These three essential elements for searching for Japanese ancestors make it relatively easy to find out if you have any connection to the Minamoto clan. However, if you want to seriously investigate with evidence-based reasoning, the amount of research, tasks, and prerequisite knowledge required becomes enormous. It’s not uncommon for people to spend over 10 years researching their ancestors as a hobby, so be prepared to learn over several years.

If you really want to “claim to be a descendant of the Minamoto clan!” you can increase the possibility of finding a connection to the Minamoto clan by researching not only your current surname’s lineage but also your mother’s maiden name, grandmother’s maiden name, and so on, by changing or adding families to investigate.

Considering this, it might not be an exaggeration to say that most Japanese people have some connection to the Minamoto clan. The experience of your own history overlapping with Japanese history is the true醍醐味 (daigomi, true pleasure) of creating a family tree and searching for your ancestors. If you haven’t started yet, please give it a try.

Conclusion

The history of the various obstacles faced by the Imperial Family, Minamoto clan, and Fujiwara clan, and their overcoming of them. Each, at first glance, seems to be at the level of a general history textbook, but the deeper one investigates, the more one realizes that they are constantly “connected to modern science and technology and socioeconomics.” In a sense, these should serve as significant resources that can spark thought about “why we are in Japan and how we should live.”

This article explained the flow in which the Imperial Family as the core, with the Minamoto, Taira, and Fujiwara clans sharing bloodlines and roles, have woven Japanese history. It provides a perspective that surveys how not just bloodlines, but institutions, culture, and power intertwined to reach the present day.

We hope this serves as a first step to understanding “why things became this way in this era” and “how that influences the present day.”

Next time, we will delve deeper into the Emperor.

.

.

.
This is the story of the transition from the “regal government” of the Fujiwara family to the “insei” government of the emperor prior to the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

• Winny Incident
• STAP Cell Incident
• TRON Incident
• Samsung Explosion Issue

What these incidents share is the sudden crushing of excellent Japanese technology. It’s as if an “underlying force” was at work, with remarkable timing. While these are superficially labeled as “accidents,” “scandals,” or “conspiracy theories,” many people must feel a sense of unease.

Reasons Why Geniuses Were Silenced

The Darkness of the Winny Incident and the Genius Programmer

TikTok – Make Your Day

Isamu Kaneko, the genius programmer from the University of Tokyo who developed Winny, was framed by fabricated police and prosecutor reports. It took him seven years to win his innocence, and just as he was about to return to his professorship, he suddenly died at the young age of 42. This is extremely unnatural. He possessed technology that could change the world. If Winny had become widespread, the era of iTunes and YouTube might not have existed. Furthermore, the probability of a person dying naturally in their 40s is 0.96%. What percentage of that is a natural death?

The Tragedy of STAP Cells and Haruko Obokata

TikTok – Make Your Day

In April 2024, surprising news spread: STAP cells, once labeled as “fabricated,” were finally granted a patent. Moreover, the patent applicant was Professor Charles Vacanti of Harvard University, her mentor who believed in and supported Haruko Obokata until the very end. Formerly, a co-author at RIKEN was deemed to have “committed suicide,” and Ms. Obokata was attacked by all media and socially ostracized. However, after 10 years, STAP cells were patented, and Professor Vacanti openly lectured in Kyoto. This highlights the fact that “the truth was suppressed.”

The Silenced Domestic OS “TRON” and Dr. Ken Sakamura

TikTok – Make Your Day

Another “silenced man” is Dr. Ken Sakamura. He created TRON, the world’s best domestic OS, which supported many Japanese technologies, from Toyota cars, home appliances, cameras, to smartphones. The Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer was also controlled by TRON. However, in 1989, the U.S. government designated TRON as an “unfair trade barrier.” To allow Windows to win, Japanese technology was crushed at a national level. At that time, seven out of the world’s top 10 companies were Japanese. In just a few decades from then, Japan surrendered all its technology to America.

The Mysterious Explosion Incident at Samsung

Furthermore, in 2016, there was the Samsung Galaxy explosion incident, which Apple had never been able to surpass. Videos spread of smartphones exploding, blowing up homes and cars. Samsung incurred losses of over 2 trillion yen in two days, and the following year, the iPhone recaptured the top spot in global market share. It’s a series of events almost too perfectly orchestrated, like a movie. Currently, new Samsung Galaxy phones include the UN Agenda 2030 app.

The “Force” Lurking in the Background

All of these events can be seen as having occurred to protect “vested interests” and “control.” “Protecting the control structure” was prioritized over “human evolution through technological progress.” This is a massive power structure led by the United States. The CIA, major media outlets, government agencies, and even the economic world each play their roles, moving without knowing the full picture. In other words, those who believe that “the world will be better if they play their part” are unconsciously complicit in a massive “dark scenario.”

Of course, if a vastly superior OS to Windows had been provided free of charge for PCs, Bill Gates would never have reigned at the top of the rich list.

Spiritual Truth: A Story of Darkness vs. Light

From a spiritual perspective, these are also battles between love and control.

[Side of Love]

Dr. Ken Sakamura (TRON), Isamu Kaneko, and Ms. Obokata all created technology with a pure desire for “human progress” and “people’s happiness.” Dr. Sakamura provided TRON free of charge, contributing to household appliances and space exploration worldwide.

In the original path: “Technology for improving people’s lives should be shared free of charge.” → There was technology of “goodwill” like Dr. Ken Sakamura’s TRON.

[Side of Control]

Opposing them are forces obsessed with vested interests, greed, and control. Fearing that “technology of love” would change the world, they tried to crush it by all means.

In the chosen path: “A competitive society driven by greed, control, vested interests, and jealousy.” → U.S. pressure, vested interests, media manipulation, technological suppression.

This is the conflict between “a civilization of love and sharing” and “a civilization of greed and control.” STAP cells, Winny, and TRON were truly technologies that would advance humanity. But there were forces that wanted to protect the “structure of control” by crushing them.

Steve Jobs’ “Last Words” Provide the Answer

Steve Jobs, just before his death, spoke these words. He confessed in his autobiography that he used cocaine and LSD to conceive the iPhone. It seems he intentionally designed the screen to be easily breakable to promote replacement demand, but after various experiences, he left behind his final notes.

I reigned at the pinnacle of the business world as the human who sold the most things in human history. However, apart from business, my life had little joy. As life ends, all the things I accumulated—wealth, riches, desire for recognition— all that I was proud of fades and feels meaningless. In the darkness, I gaze at the blinking green light of the life support machine, only the sound of machinery echoing in my ears. I feel the breath of God. I know death is approaching. Now I finally understand something. If you’ve accumulated enough wealth, you should spend your time on things unrelated to wealth. Relationships, art, or childhood dreams are fine. Endless, insatiable obsession with wealth distorts a person. What God has given is not the illusion brought by wealth, but the feeling of being able to love. The wealth I gained, I cannot take with me. All I can take are memories overflowing with love. Memories filled with love are the richness of life, they stay with you forever, and they give you strength and illuminate the right path. Love transcends time and distance. There are no limits in life. Do whatever you want to do. See all the sights you want to see. All the answers are actually in your heart. You already have them. Material things can be found again and again. But there are some things, once lost, can never be regained. It’s life. It’s life itself. No matter what stage your life is in now, an end will surely come someday. Cherish your family’s love. Cherish time with your beloved. Cherish time with your friends. Cherish yourself. And be kind to others.

These words are the “truth of humanity” he realized on his deathbed. No technology, no success, is meaningful without love. It means “what’s truly important is technology with ‘love,’ and a life with love.”

“Two United States of America” — A Conspiracy Plan Underway Behind the Scenes

Have you ever heard the talk of “there are two United States of America”? This is a major topic, sometimes referred to as the “truth of the hidden world” that is not generally known.

It All Began with the “16-Year Plan”

In 2016, it is said that a “16-year plan” was set in motion by the forces that secretly manipulate the world, the “Cabal (Illuminati),” to completely seize control of the American nation. Former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were reportedly working to execute this plan. The roots of this conspiracy go back even further, to the time when Bush Senior (George H.W. Bush) was the CIA Director. He was a member of the famous secret society “Skull & Bones,” as was his father, Prescott Bush. In other words, secret societies, including the Freemasons, have been deeply involved in the control structure of America.

“Two United States of America” Exist

As an unknown fact, it is said that the United States of America exists in two forms:

1. United States of America Corporation: This is America as a “corporation,” registered as a “corporation” in Puerto Rico.
2. Republic of America: This is the original “republican state” of America, established by 13 states after the Revolutionary War approximately 250 years ago.

The American government we know is reportedly functioning not as a true “nation” but as a “corporation.”

The “Debt Hell” Moving in the Background

The United States of America Corporation established the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and seized control of finance by issuing paper money. However, it is said to have accumulated enormous debt and was on the verge of collapse. Despite this, the FRB maintained the economy on the surface by distributing funds, while behind the scenes, the “privatization” of the nation progressed.

The Ultimate Goal Was “World War III”

The climax of this “16-year plan” was reportedly a terrifying one: to install Hillary Clinton as president and ignite World War III. Wars are not fought between countries because countries are fighting. It means there are those who cause wars for their own financial gain.

However, this plan was thwarted in the 2016 presidential election when Donald Trump won. It is said that the “plan to secretly control the world” was scrapped.

Why Is This Story Important?

If you only look at modern news and politics, you only see superficial conflicts and events. However, by knowing these underlying power structures, you can realize the “real reasons” why the world moves.

“Everything was planned.”

Having this perspective may significantly change how you view the world.

What Has Truly Been Lost?

Behind these incidents lies the reality that not only “technology” and “assets” but “the pride and future of the Japanese people” themselves have been taken away. If we forget patriotism, the same tragedies will repeat.

What we must do now is:

• “Know the facts.”
• “Focus on the essence.”
• “Pass on the truth for future generations.”

What are your thoughts on this?

.

.

.

.

.

I like exsplosion, what a great idea.

Introduction

Himiko and Yamatai-koku — this is one of the greatest mysteries in ancient Japanese history. For many years, the “Nara (Kinai) theory” and the “Fukuoka (Kyushu) theory” have waged debates. However, the view that the Fukuoka Prefecture = Yamatai-koku theory is 99.9% correct is rapidly gaining support now. (I am someone who recently learned about this.) This article will thoroughly explain the basis for this view and delve into the true nature of Himiko.

What Was Himiko?

• While read in Chinese characters as “humble person’s (humble term) shaman (miko),” it is actually considered a phonetic transcription of “Hi no Miko (日の巫女) = Sun Child/Priestess of the Sun.”
• Therefore, it was a title given to successive ritualistic priestesses (shaman queens), not the proper name of a single individual.
• Her position was that of a “ritualistic monarch” who received divine oracles and presented them to the state, with politics sometimes handled by her younger brother (Isekihiko/Ikiki) or assistants.

Reign Length Impossible for a Single Generation

A reign of approximately 60-70 years is unnatural, considering the average lifespan and power structures of the time. It is highly probable that mystery and youth were emphasized for priestesses, making a system of succession around 30 years old more realistic. Therefore, it is highly plausible that there were 3-4 Himikos.

Multiple Tombs and the Eastern Migration

① Himiko of the “Hashihaka Kofun”

• The “authoritative Himiko” who received investiture from Wei.
• Likely the Himiko around 239 CE, existing at the center of the Yamato court.
• The “100 human sacrifices” and “huge tomb” in the Weizhi Worenzhuan (Records of Wei: Account of the Wa People) match this person.
• Potentially a figure directly connected to the later Imperial Family.

② Himiko of “Yoshinogari”

• A figure said to have died in 248 CE.
• The end of the priestly government in northern Kyushu, replaced by a male king (the king before Iyo).
• Theories of assassination due to dissatisfaction with the female government or internal conflicts.
• A shamanic figure buried in Yoshinogari during the course of the eastern migration.

Connection with Tenson Kōrin (Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild)

Multiple generations of “Hi no Miko” (Himiko) traveled throughout the country, establishing a network of rituals. The shift of power (eastern migration) from Kyushu to Yamato also overlaps with the Tenson Kōrin myth (the descent of Ninigi-no-Mikoto). This implies a spiritual lineage that can be read as Himiko → Hiko → Hikohōhodemi → Ninigi. The “multiple Himiko theory” is also a key to bridging myth and historical fact.

1. Geographical and Directional Indications in the Weizhi Worenzhuan

The Chinese historical text, Weizhi Worenzhuan, meticulously describes the journey to Yamatai-koku:

Guye-guk (southern tip of Korea) → Tsushima → Iki → Matsuro-koku (Saga) → Ito-koku (Itoshima) → Na-koku (Fukuoka City) → Fumi-koku (Munakata) → Tōma-koku (Chikugo) → Yamatai-koku.

A straightforward reading of this route strongly suggests the high probability of Yamatai-koku’s existence in the Fukuoka Prefecture-Saga Prefecture area.

② Ito-koku’s Center is in Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture

The Weizhi Worenzhuan states that Ito-koku was the “important country responsible for diplomacy before Yamatai-koku.” In Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, archaeological sites like Hirabaru Ruins and Mikumo Minami-koji Ruins preserve Yayoi period royal tombs and large-scale structures. This makes sense as a “diplomatic relay point” preceding Himiko.

③ Numerous Excavated Remains Corresponding to the “Himiko Era”

Fukuoka Prefecture boasts a wealth of archaeological evidence, including:

• Yoshitake Takagi Site (Fukuoka City): Large building complexes and ritual facilities (potential capital of the queen).
• Sugunookamoto Site (Kasuga City): Numerous bronze mirrors and swords excavated, said to be the center of Na-koku.
• Hirabaru Site (Itoshima City): Possible queen’s tomb containing the largest “Naikōkammonkyō” (Chinese-made mirror) in Japan.

④ Proximity to Ancient China

Geographical advantage of direct connection to the Korean Peninsula via Tsushima and Iki. It was the most accessible location for envoys from China (Wei), making the “Guye-guk → Tsushima → Iki → Kyushu” route realistic.

Counterargument: “Is the Kinai Theory (Nara, Makimuku) Not Valid?”

Recent excavations at the Makimuku Ruins have greatly strengthened the Nara theory (e.g., the theory that Hashihaka Kofun is Himiko’s tomb). However, there remains strong criticism that the “distances and directions are unnatural” when compared with the Weizhi Worenzhuan descriptions.

Why is the “Fukuoka Theory” Said to Be “99.9%”?

(The phrase “Why, why…?” sounds like a faint echo of a song.)

This is because, if Yamatai-koku is understood not as a singular capital but as a “confederate/networked center,” then the initial base was definitely in Kyushu.

• Himiko originally served as a ritualistic monarch in northern Kyushu.
• From there, her influence and spiritual lineage spread eastward, eventually connecting to “Tenson Kōrin” and the “Yamato court” in later generations.

Himiko = Shamanic Beings Throughout the Country

“Himiko” was not a proper name but an official title for a woman who performed rituals. Therefore, it is believed that multiple “Himikos” existed throughout the country. It’s unrealistic for one person to maintain a reign of 70 years in an era where the average lifespan was around 40. It’s highly probable that Himiko’s title was passed down through generations, with 3-4 individuals holding the position.

This is why legends of Himiko exist across the country, and it’s thought that a network was expanded through security alliances and political marriages centered around Yamato.

This aligns with the memories of the real “Hi no Miko” (日御子) who existed in various regions nationwide.

1. Himiko = Title/Official Position (Hi no Miko)

Himiko was not the name of a single woman, but the position of “Hi no Miko (日御子) = Priestess of the Sun / Ritualistic Monarch.” Women holding this position were indispensable in the various states and tribes that existed throughout the land. Documents like Hotsuma Tsutae also suggest that Himiko was a descendant or incarnation of Amaterasu (Amaterasu Omikami), implying a highly revered status not just as a shaman, but as the “Sun Priestess,” a representative of the Sun Goddess. Amaterasu Omikami’s activities were primarily those of a miko, weren’t they?

2. Stability Among Nations = Marriage with Hi no Miko

By installing or welcoming a Himiko (Hi no Miko) and establishing marriage/ritualistic ties with Yamato (the center), political and spiritual stability was achieved in the regions. In ancient Japan, “spiritual legitimacy” was synonymous with governmental legitimacy, and Himiko’s presence served as proof of that.

3. To Guarantee Diplomatic and Ritual Authority

Even in diplomatic documents and tributes to “Wei” and other countries, regional powerful clans would send envoys under the name of the central Himiko, creating an impression of unity and solidarity. However, in reality, various “legitimate Himikos (divine branch entities)” existed in each region.

Why Couldn’t Chinese Historical Records Specify “Yamato’s Location”?

The Weizhi Worenzhuan states that “to the south of Wa is Yamatai-koku,” indicating a southward progression from Kyushu. However, this “directional confusion” can be explained by the following reasons:

There were “Yamatai-koku-like Himiko Governments” in Various Regions

Yamatai-koku was a ritualistic center, a base for Himiko, and it’s possible it “moved” depending on the era and region. Also, local Himikos were “agents of Yamatai-koku’s Himiko” or “branch shaman queens,” so some tribes told Chinese envoys, “We are Yamatai-koku.”

Examples of Regions Where Legends Remain

Why is the Nara (Kinai) Theory Supported?

The Makimuku Ruins and Hashihaka Kofun in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, have garnered attention as potential tombs of Himiko. However:

• The distances and directions in the Weizhi Worenzhuan are unnatural for Nara.
• Hashihaka Kofun could also be for the second Himiko or her successor.

This suggests that the initial base was indeed Fukuoka, and Yamato was the “second stage” where authority later shifted.

The Mystery of the “Han Tradition” and “Qin People” in the Weizhi Worenzhuan

The “Han Tradition” (韓伝) written before the Weizhi Worenzhuan describes the history of the Korean Peninsula and its relationship with Wa (Japan), not just Himiko and Yamatai-koku. Within it is a fascinating passage:

“Many Qin people migrated to Jinhan (辰韓).”

This is believed to be a group of Yayoi people, but they were actually Jews. In the 4th century, this group of Jews came to Kyushu, Japan, via the Korean Peninsula. These were the Hata clan (秦氏). There are various branches of the Hata clan, including cavalry nomads and those who literally served Qin Shi Huang.

Historical Romance: Were the Yayoi People Ancient Israelites? ~ The Hata Clan and the Japan-Israel Common Ancestry Theory ~ (This link from the original text directs to a blog post about the Hata clan and the Japan-Israel common ancestry theory.) It is widely known that the roots of the Japanese people are a mixture of Jomon and Yayoi people. Among them, a theory that has been discussed among some researchers and history enthusiasts in recent years is: “Could some of the lost 10 tribes of ancient Israel have been included among the Yayoi people?”…

Conclusion and Summary

• The starting point of Yamatai-koku was “Fukuoka Prefecture = Northern Kyushu.”
• Archaeology, literature, and geography all align.
• Himiko was an official title for multiple individuals, holding influence nationwide as the pinnacle of shamans.
• The political shift from Kyushu to Yamato led to Tenson Kōrin and the formation of the Yamato court.
• Ultimately, Yamatai-koku was not “one place” but a “federal cluster of shamanic kingdoms.“

Based on these points, the “Yamatai-koku = Fukuoka theory” stands as an extremely strong historical argument.

In the orthodox Takeuchi Monjo (Ancient Documents of the Takeuchi Family), the existence of successive “Hi no Miko” (ひみこ) is not a specific individual but a title/position for a ritualistic monarch who communicates with gods across generations. They were the supreme authority in spiritual and religious matters, separate from the “ruling monarch (Ōkimi/Sumeramikoto)” who held political power. The ruling monarch (Sumeramikoto) was said to govern under the divine will of the “Hi no Miko,” forming a system of unity between divine and political rule. This is a respectful term for the Emperor.

Himiko was a symbol of the shamanic monarchy, a spiritual leader who delivered divine oracles rather than engaging in politics. She reigned as a praying monarch for multiple generations, was absorbed and integrated into the male monarchy over time, and sublimated into mythology. Her spiritual lineage was thus inherited by Amaterasu Omikami, Tenson Kōrin, and the Imperial Family.

It’s like a “Himiko 48” group now. (That’s not funny.) There must have been people who performed shamanic activities, and thank you all for your hard work.

In fact, there’s a theory that the Arctic was once a place known as “Paradise” (Utopia). This paradise has been fragmentarily depicted in various myths, religions, and maps throughout history.

Paradise = The Arctic? The “Center of the World” Common in Myths

In ancient texts and myths, there is a common concept of the center of the world = sacred land = paradise. For example:

• Norse Mythology: Yggdrasil and Asgard
• Buddhism: Mount Sumeru (Shumi-sen)
• Persian/Indian Mythology: Paradisia (Paradise)
• Greek Mythology: Hyperborea
• Celtic Mythology: Avalon
• Christianity: Garden of Eden
• Tibetan Buddhism: Shambhala

The sacred sites and paradises depicted in these myths share a common structure: a worldview where there is “a giant mountain or pillar at the center, from which four rivers flow in four directions.” Is this a coincidence?

Yggdrasil and Ymir

Ymir (ユミル) is part of the Norse creation myth (cosmic genesis myth), primarily described in Snorri’s Edda (Prose Edda). Ymir is the first being and primordial giant (frost giant) to appear in Norse mythology. When Niflheim (the world of ice) and Muspelheim (the world of fire) converged, the ice from the rivers flowing between them melted, and Ymir was the first to be born. He then created other giants from his sweat in dreams, eventually causing the giant race (Jötnar) to flourish in the world. A grand myth tells how Ymir was later killed by the gods (especially Odin and his brothers Vili and Vé), and the world was created from his body. This story definitely brings a certain manga to mind, doesn’t it?

Mount Sumeru (Shumi-sen)

Mount Sumeru (須弥山), as depicted in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, and even a “central pyramid” in Mayan civilization. The Inca and Navajo cultures also share similar concepts.

The model of Mount Sumeru shows pyramids at the top and bottom of the center. This is an energy shape, representing the “Torus energy (magnetic energy)” that Earth and all life possess. This indicates that the Arctic is a “powerful electromagnetic field.” Nikola Tesla discovered this. There’s a theory that the sun and moon receive electromagnetic energy from here and orbit the Earth. By the mid-17th century, the Arctic islands and central mountain disappeared and were never seen again.

The Lost Continent and “Rupes Nigra”

The Mystery of Rupes Nigra, the Phantom Island of the Arctic Circle on Ancient Maps / Sora Tono | webMU World Mysteries and Wonders News & Analysis Column (This link from the original text directs to a Japanese article about Rupes Nigra.) There’s an “island” in the Arctic Ocean centered around a huge rocky mountain! This place, repeatedly drawn on maps throughout history, is it an uncharted paradise or an entrance to the Earth’s interior?

Ancient maps from the 16th and 17th centuries, especially the famous Mercator map, depict the Arctic in a completely different way from how it is today. They show:

• Four islands in the Arctic.
• “Rupes Nigra” (a black, super-high magnetic mountain) at their center.
• Four great rivers flowing radially, dividing the four islands.
• The inscription: “Polus Arcticus (Arctic Pole).”

This information is said to have been drawn based on actual explorations and oral traditions, appearing consistently on many maps of the time. So why does this terrain no longer exist today?

The “Axis Mundi (World Axis)” Hidden in the Arctic

Many myths state that a pillar (or tree) connecting heaven and earth exists at the center of the world. This is the “Axis Mundi (世界軸).” The World Tree Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, Mount Sumeru in Buddhism… there are likely many more. These are all depicted as “centers of energy,” “spiritual gates,” and “entrances to transcend dimensions.”

And the place at that center is believed to be the former Arctic = the lost paradise. These Arctic lands are not imaginary, but actually exist on this Earth.

The Arctic as a Center of Energy

The models of Mount Sumeru and the torus structure suggest the existence of upward and downward energy flows (magnetism). This shows a curious consistency with current quantum physics and magnetic field theories.

• The Earth’s magnetic field originates from the North Pole and flows towards the South Pole.
• The compass points north because there is a “powerful source of magnetism” at the North Pole.
• Some theories even claim that “the sun and moon orbit the Earth due to this magnetic field.”

The Arctic might not be a material geographical point but a “cosmic focal point of power.” However, the Arctic eventually disappeared from maps, and thereafter, the “Arctic” became commonly understood as a “barren land of ice.”

Why Did This Paradise Disappear?

After the mid-17th century, the Arctic terrain depicted on Mercator maps suddenly disappeared. (The Mercator projection is a mapping method widely used, especially in navigation and geography, for projecting locations on Earth onto a flat map.) What we now know as the “ice-covered Arctic Ocean” became common knowledge, and the islands and mountains were “not supposed to exist.”

Was this just a geographical misunderstanding? Or was it intentional concealment or falsification of information?

These maps prove that “Eden,” “Shambhala,” and “Agartha” were once widely known. However, for some reason, that knowledge was erased and became treated as “occult.”

Is the Arctic Still a “Sealed Paradise” Today?

Past explorers reported “anomalous magnetism,” “time distortions,” “holes in the sky,” and “traces of advanced civilizations” in the Arctic. Some people still believe that the entrance to the underground world of Agartha exists in the Arctic. In Tibetan Buddhism, it’s called Shambhala (a Buddhist kingdom).

Furthermore, some recent satellite data has fueled rumors of a strange, hole-like shadow being observed at the North Pole.

In Conclusion: Time to Look at the True Face of the Earth

The Arctic may not just be a block of ice, but a key connected to truths sealed from humanity.

• Why do so many myths speak of similar paradises?
• Why was the true form of the Arctic erased?
• Why have we in modern times forgotten to explore it?

Holding these questions, let’s once again turn our attention to the “center of the world.” Paradise may not be lost, but simply waiting to be remembered.

✦

What is “Tartaria”?

Have you ever heard the term “Tartarian Empire”? Once, a mysterious empire called Tartaria was marked on world maps. This entity, said to have stretched primarily across modern-day Russia and Siberia, mysteriously vanished from maps after the 19th century. However, this “lost civilization” is once again drawing attention. And remarkably, there is a theory that Japan too might have been under Tartarian influence.

Was Hokkaido Once Tartarian Territory?

According to one hypothesis, Hokkaido was once Tartarian territory, and other parts of Japan were “friendly nations” influenced by it. Fuyu’e Anzai, a poet from the Taishō to Shōwa periods, penned a verse in his poem “Spring”:

“A single butterfly crossed the Dattan (Tartar) Strait”

This “Dattan Strait” refers to the current “Mamiya Strait,” the channel between Sakhalin (Karafuto) and the Russian mainland. In European countries, it’s called the “Tatar Strait.” Some consider this a poetic yet symbolic expression indicating a connection between Japan and Tartaria.

The Connection Between “Tatara” and “Tartaria”?

Many place names across Japan include “Tatara,” deriving from tatara iron-making. However, some theories point to a connection between “Tatara” and “Tartaria.” What if the advanced technology for producing iron was actually brought from the Tartarian civilization…?

Below, we’ve compiled information on regions, characteristics, and historical sites related to “Tatara” throughout Japan:

【1】Chūgoku Region (Shimane, Tottori, Okayama): The Heartland of Tatara Iron-Making

• Shimane Prefecture, Okuizumo Region (Unnan City, Okuizumo Town):
  • One of Japan’s leading centers for tatara iron-making. The traditional tatara-buki (bellows forging) method is still practiced today.
  • Nittōho Tatara: The only traditional iron furnace still in operation in Japan (produces tamahagane steel for swords).
  • Iron History Museum (Unnan City): Learn about the history of Izumo tatara and the tools and processes of iron-making.
  • Also connected to mythology, said to be a model for “Princess Mononoke.”
• Tottori Prefecture, Nichinan Town:
  • Tatara artisans are said to have gathered deep in the mountains to produce iron.
  • “Tatara Folk Museum” introduces their lifestyle and beliefs.
• Okayama Prefecture, Niimi City / Maniwa City:
  • Part of the ancient Kibi Province, rich in iron ore (iron sand).
  • Scattered settlements and shrines developed through tatara are found here.

【2】Kinki Region

• Hyōgo Prefecture, Shisō City / Sayō Town / Yabu City:
  • In the Harima region, many tatara settlements called “Sannai” existed.
  • Produced high-quality iron, such as “Chigusa iron.”
  • Local shrines maintain beliefs of enshrining “Kanayamahiko” (god of blacksmiths) and “gods of tatara.”

【3】Shikoku Region

• Kochi Prefecture / Tokushima Prefecture (mountainous areas):
  • Small tatara operations were scattered along the Niyodo River basin, etc.
  • Locally, tatara artisans were treated as a special group, merging with mountain god worship.

【4】Kyushu Region

• Kumamoto Prefecture / Ōita Prefecture:
  • Remains of iron mining and processing exist around the Aso volcanic range and Yabakei.
  • Place names like “Tatara-dani” (Tatara Valley) and “Tatara-yama” (Tatara Mountain) remain.

【5】Tōhoku Region

• Akita Prefecture / Iwate Prefecture / Aomori Prefecture:
  • Iron-making was somewhat later here, but in the Edo period, the Nanbu clan developed tatara iron-making for military purposes.
  • Many “Tatara-ba Ato” (Tatara site ruins) have been confirmed.

【6】Kantō Region

• Gunma Prefecture (around Mount Akagi):
  • A long tradition of iron-making, with numerous tatara iron-making sites.
  • Names like “Tatara-tōge” (Tatara Pass) and “Tatara-sawa” (Tatara Marsh) remain.
• Saitama Prefecture, Chichibu:
  • Remnants of tatara iron-making in mountainous areas. Mining and iron ore extraction were also active.

【7】Chūbu Region

• Niigata Prefecture, Itoigawa City / Nagano Prefecture, Saku City:
  • Magnetite extracted from Mount Hiuchi, etc., was used since ancient times.
  • The connection to “hiuchigane” (flint steel) and “Mount Hiuchi” is also intriguing.

【8】Hokkaido and Eastern Japan: The Word “Tatara” and Place Names

• Hokkaido:
  • Records show that artisans from Honshu settled after the Edo period and attempted iron-making in southern Hokkaido.
  • Some place names like “Tatara-sawa” and “Tatara-rin” (Tatara Forest) remain.
  • These are interesting as Japanese (Yamato) place names, not Ainu.

Not Japanese Style? The Mystery of Edo Period Architecture and Clothing

Montanus’s “Atlas Japannensis,” drawn by a Dutch missionary in the 17th century, depicts a Japan completely different from our imagined “Japanese style.”

Itinerarium Orientalis Indicis Navium: “Journal of the Dutch East India Company Embassy to Japan” – Aobane Antiquarian Bookshop – Foreign Books, Art Books, Academic Books (This link from the original text directs to an antiquarian bookshop’s page about Montanus’s work.) “Journal of the Dutch East India Company Embassy to Japan” – Aobane Antiquarian Bookshop, based in Kyoto, focuses on art books, academic books, and foreign books, sourcing rare and hard-to-find titles from overseas. We also accept orders for rare books.

For example, Kyoto’s Sanjūsangen-dō. While often considered a prime example of Japanese architecture, its depiction at the time looks just like a Roman temple. The clothing of the people also appears to be from India, the Middle East, or the West.

Is This Japan? Montanus’s Depiction of a Mystical and Strange Country (This link from the original text refers to an article discussing Montanus’s depiction of Japan.) I once researched hidden Christian okake-e during my student days. [What are “Okake-e,” the Sacred Paintings of Hidden Christians?] At that time, I don’t remember where I saw it, but probably in a book or something, I found an intriguing copperplate engraving illustration. This is it…

Furthermore, in a painting of “Japanese god Kannon (觀音),” a Naga-like being is depicted, with stone pillars and arches that appear to be of Tartarian style. These records show a scene drastically different from the “Edo Period” we learned about in textbooks. The current Sanjūsangen-dō is entirely Japanese in style, though.

Umbert’s “Shogun’s Temple” Also Western Architecture?

The “Shogun’s Temple” depicted by the French painter Aimé Humbert, who visited Japan at the end of the Edo period, is presumed to be the current Zōjō-ji Temple in Shiba.

Aimé Humbert’s “Pictorial Japan and the Japanese” Illustration: Interior of the Edo Shogun’s Temple (Zōjō-ji), Buddhist Statues at Atago-yama Prayer Hall | ToMuCo – Tokyo Museum Collection (This link from the original text directs to a museum collection page.) Tokyo Metropolitan Museum and Art Museum Collection Search.

However, its appearance is like a Greek temple. It bears no resemblance whatsoever to the current Zōjō-ji. So where did this colossal building disappear to?

A Civilization Buried Underground? The Mud Flood Theory

The key to solving this mystery is the hypothesis of the “Mud Flood.” This is a supposed great catastrophe that occurred worldwide around the early 19th century, specifically in 1816, where entire cities were buried by massive amounts of mud. In Japan, the fact that many city buildings are built on stone foundations is considered a remnant of this disaster. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the “basement level” of old buildings to be used as the first floor above ground. The buried lower levels might be structures from before the Mud Flood…

Zōjō-ji as a Post-Mud Flood Building?

Daihonzan Zōjō-ji Temple (This link from the original text directs to the official website of Zōjō-ji Temple.) The official website of Daihonzan Zōjō-ji Temple, deeply connected to the Tokugawa Shogun family. Zōjō-ji in Shiba, Tokyo, has a 600-year history and is cherished as a “temple of good fortune” enshrining the “Kurohonzon,” a hidden Buddhist statue associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu.

July 15, 2025: Did they intentionally change the background of the top page a bit?

The current Zōjō-ji Temple, reconstructed in 1974 (referring to “Shogun’s Temple”), stands on stone steps. This implies that “the topography had already changed at the time of its reconstruction.” In other words, the former Zōjō-ji might have already been buried in mud, and the current temple built on top of it.

Remnants of “Tartarian Architecture” Across Japan

It is claimed that many Tartarian-style buildings once existed in major cities across Japan, such as Niigata, Osaka, and Tokyo. The “Triumphal Arch” in Nakanoshima, Osaka, in 1937, or in Shinbashi during the Russo-Japanese War, were all surprisingly Western-looking and gigantic structures.

Going to See the Triumphal Arch of the Russo-Japanese War (This link from the original text directs to a website about the Russo-Japanese War Triumphal Arch.)

Some theories suggest these were not mere decorations but legacies of the Tartarian civilization, functioning to regulate wireless power or energy flow.

The Great Famines of the Edo Period: Was Hunger Truly the Cause?

The “Tenpō Great Famine” of 1833 is said to have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Records indicate that an “epidemic” followed, but some view this as “not an epidemic, but actually radiation exposure.” 1,500 skeletons were discovered in Umeda at the time. They were said to be buried in a commoner’s graveyard, but was that truly the case? Could the Mud Flood have been the real cause…?

And the Biggest Question: Did the “Edo Period” Not Exist?

What if… a Mud Flood devastated previous cities, and then the story of the “Edo Period” was constructed in a short time afterward? This suggests that the “Edo Period” we believe in might have been nothing more than a reset history created after the Meiji era. So, what about historical dramas then…? Most family trees and graves were created after the Meiji era. There was even a period when family trees were sold. Only a few genuine family trees likely remain.

In Conclusion: Fiction, or a Forgotten Truth?

The theories presented in this article are not academically proven. However, history may still contain “blanks” and “lost stories” that we are unaware of. How much of this do you believe is fiction, and how much is truth? For us living today, re-evaluating such narratives might lead not only to rediscovering “lost technologies” but also to reconnecting with a “lost spirituality.”