Shingo, Aomori

nihongo|Shingō|新郷村|Shingō-mura , sometimes known as [the] "Home of Christ" (キリストの里, Kirisuto no Sato), is a village located in Sannohe District, Aomori, Japan.

As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 3,201 and a density of 21.22 persons per km². The total area is 150.85 km².

The town claims to be the last resting-place of Jesus, buried in the "Tomb of Jesus." According to the local lore, Jesus did not die on the cross at Golgotha. Instead his brother, Isukiri,cite web|url = http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyotravel/tokyojapantravel/3523/tokyojapantravelinc.htm|title = Japan Travel: Jesus in Japan|accessdate = 2006-12-13|publisher = Metropolis] took his place on the cross, while Jesus fled across Siberia, Alaska, and finally to Aomori, Shingo, Japan, where he became a rice farmer, married, and raised a family. cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5326614.stm|title = The Japanese Jesus Trail|accessdate = 2006-12-13|date = September 9, 2006|publisher = BBC] cite web|url = http://www.forteantimes.com/articles/110_japson.shtml|title = Land of the Rising Son|accessdate = 2006-12-13|date = May, 1998|publisher = Fortean Times] While no evidence exists to prove this claim, some entrepreneurs have set up business selling memorabilia and Jesus souvenirs to the large number of tourists. Another tomb in Shingo is said to contain an ear of the brother of Jesus and a lock of hair from the Virgin Mary. The claims started in 1933 after the discovery of supposed "ancient Hebrew documents detailing Jesus' life and death in Japan" cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5326614.stm|title = The Japanese Jesus Trail|accessdate = 2006-12-13|date = September 9, 2006|publisher = BBC] that was supposedly the testament of Jesus. These documents were seized by the Japanese authorities and taken to Tokyo shortly before World War II and have not been seen since.cite web|url = http://www.forteantimes.com/articles/110_japson.shtml|title = Land of the Rising Son|accessdate = 2006-12-13|date = May, 1998|publisher = Fortean Times]

References

External links

* [http://www02.so-net.ne.jp/~shingou/ Shingo official website] in Japanese
*wikitravelpar|Shingo
* [http://www.hachinohe-gappei.jp/ (Hachinohe City)the consolidation of smaller municipalities]
* [http://www.subgenius.com/subg-digest/ancient/0163.html Sub-genius: Jesus-in-Japan]
* [http://www.zetetique.org/herai_en.html Cercle Zetetique: Jesus grave in Japan and other mysteries]