Secrets of Shinto Part I - Amatsutatara Scrolls and Yamashita's Gold

 
Secret scrolls in Japan

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Highest level of spiritual knowledge

There are two main collections of myths in Japan, Kojiki (The Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihon shoki (or Nihongi, Chronicles of Japan) which were compiled in 712 A.D. and 720 A.D. respectively. Kojiki was compiled by the imperial family, and consequently consists of myths, legends, songs, anecdotes, folk etymologies, and so forth centered around the imperial family and other leading families of Japan at that time. It has three books ordered in a chronological fashion: Book One deals with "The Age of the Gods"; Book Two, the reigns of the legendary first fifteen sovereigns (from Emperor Jimmu to Emperor Ojin); and Book Three, the imperial reigns from Emperor Nintoku to Emperor Suiko (628 A.D.), the sixteenth to the thirty-third emperors.

The indigenous religion of Japan is often described more as a philosophy, an understanding of life and natural being where all things animate and inanimate contain spirit. All life is valuable as gods creation. There are many aspects of Shinto life with varying degrees of teachings. Ninpo contains within its system the highest levels of spiritual knowledge preserved within Shinto in the tradition of the Amatsutatara.

Much of this knowledge is contained in the ancient scrolls but a large part is still preserved in the oral tradition of Kuden (secrets passed on from Master to student). In this article we describe the Amatsutatara and hopefully can allow you to pick some hints on what are the ultimate secrets of Shinto.

 
1 & 2. Emblems of Amatsutatara; 3. Amatsutatara portrait; 4. The secret boxes where Amatsutatara hid her treasures

Amatsutatara Hibumi

According to folklore, Takamatsu Toshitsugu wrote about the Amatsutatara Hibumi (secret scrolls) in his Amatsutatara Budo Keizu Hikan scroll. The Amatsutatara scrolls contain information about all material arts, spiritualism and humanism.

From hearsay of Japanese tradition, the Amatsutatara Hibumi were written around 700BC by King Mima as a record of the history of Japan. Tatara Isuzu Hime No Mikoto had given these scrolls to the Othtomo, Nakatomi and Mononobe families who had close ties to the emperor.

At this time these scrolls were made from Cedar bark and were written in Kamiyo Moji, an ancient land written form of ideograms which literally translates as 'Gods characters'.

The word Amatsu Tatara (Amatsutatara) is not well known. However, the name of the secret scrolls or books of the Amatsu Tatara are well known to special Japanese scholars, martial artists and spiritual experts. It is very difficult to explain the Amatsu Tatara because it is only for a special grandmaster or special priest. For this reason it has been kept very secret all the while.

"Amatsu" means Heaven or Nature. "Tatara" means the highest secret teaching system of Martial Arts and original Shintoism spirit.

This is how the Amatsutatara came about. In about 700 BC (or 500 BC, or 600 BC), the King Mima drifted from the ancient Babylonia Caldia Kingdom (Middle East? near Israel?) to Japan with three attendants and they lived on Miwayama mountain (Nara Area). He formed a good friendship with the chieftain of Japan Amaterasu Ohmikami and made great efforts in controlling Japan. This is why he was made a Kunitsu Omi Muraji (Minister).

King Mima brought the special Kubikazari (necklace) which was made of 72 Magatama (jewels). The Kubikazari was not only for just fashion which was the symbol of a King. It had very important meaning and was used for fortunetelling as well. Power of divination, to foresee one's future from about an individual to a country, even to the end time of the world. King Mima presented it to Amaterasu.

Hiboko-no-Mikoto followed King Mima to Japan. Hiboko was a great Shaman and brought Tokusano Kandakara (ten kinds of Gods treasures) of Shikin. Shikin means Rei-jutsu (spiritual techniques by truth consciousness.).

In 500 BC or 550 BC, several hundred Buddhist Vader people of the Malay race attacked Japan and fought the emperors army of Miwayama. The emperor's army fought and defeated them. From the battle the Japanese emperor's army designed weapons, created how to use them, and also how to win (strategies). From that time until about 10 AD a special scroll was written; the Amatsu Tatara Hibumi-no-Ikkan (original main secret scroll of the Amatsu Tatara) which includes all special techniques, philosophies, Tenmon (heavens things), Chimon (earth things) and others.

 
!. Entrance to a secret shrine that was rumored to be once built inside the cave. After earthquake the cave is now flooded with water
2. A magic stone believed to have divination power in a Japanese mountain cave. Now it is protected in a glass house by the museum
3. A mysterious rock in Japan, craved and polished in prehistoric time with some pattern that is unknown about its meaning and its use
4.Deep in a Japanese village jungle, a lion statue is mysteriously placed on a tree trunk. The local worship it as a guardian to some treasure

Amatsutatara The Secret Scrolls

The origin of the spiritual power and understanding of Gods law is from the Amatsutatara secret scrolls and the Amatsutatara Ginkoroku secret scrolls which had been veiled in darkness through history. For example Kuji and Juji are connected to Shugendos? training methods. The root is particular and is basic of Amatsutatara scrolls. What are Kuki Amatsutatara scrolls? What is Kukishin Ryu? It is from the Shinto tradition who’s origin in Kuki scrolls is one of the old and historical and traditional scrolls in antiquity before the 6th century. Kuki family is the head of Kumano Shugendo. It was also very well known from a leader of Kiki Navy, the strongest Japanese naval power. Amatsutatara is in the highest position, the oldest and the best bible about the Martial arts and religion.

Amatsutatara consists of the following scrolls; Hibumi shiron, Shinpi Kansei, Seikan-Ron, Kanagi-Hen, Hokyo Hiden, Tenmon, Chimon, Kenpo Hiso Hen etc?.

It is divided up three types as the following; History, secret miracle religion (spiritual teaching) and Martial Arts. They say that if you use the secrets written in them, the universal Mysterious power will respond to five natural main elements (Chi, Sui, Ka, Fu, Ku) not only to control the other party but to fulfill any hope you like. The whole of the Amatsutatara has been veiled in a dense fog because it has been prohibited to show it and to talk about it. Only one person in its family could receive it and hand it down the next generation. But the distinguished secrets were leaked out. All people concerned with old Shinto and old Budo know that it is the most valuable secret scroll/book. It is fascinating that some history differs from usual history books.

The original Amatsutatara was in the period of King Mima who came from Chaldae kingdom ancient Babylonia in around 700BC. He had a view of the world as an intellectual, prophet and philosopher. He lived with three retainers on Mt Miwa, Yamato which was the holy mountain of Yamato in Nara-Ken. King Mima helped the overall Japan leader ‘Amaterasu Ohmikami?as one of the main staff. He brought a necklace with 72 beads which tell secretly the future vicissitude of the world. King Mima presented it to Amaterasu. All the Japanese Gods kings convened in Yamato. Then Amaterasu was given the highest position in Japan. The person who was given the necklace by Amaterasu was to be an Emperor in the highest position in the world. The old Imperial family used the necklace as a holy means to govern Japan. People could not see the necklace only the royal family.

Ama No Hiboko was an authority on mystical power who came to Japan as a retainer of King Mima. He brought ten kinds of holy treasures. They were given to the Emperor to use for ceremonies for the imperial family’s stability. These things are the Amatsutatara and these things were given to Nakatomi (Kuki’s origin), Imbe Mononobe and Ohtomo from Emperor. Amatsutatara was succeeded to Kuki added the secrets of Shugendo and Mikkyo too. Most of the original Amatsutatara that Kuki possessed burnt up in a fire due to a huge air raid in 1945. But fortunately, Toshitsugu Takamatsu had copied them because the 21st head of the Kuki family Takaharu Kuki had given him permission. Takamatsu sensei was a successor of a lot of Ryu/Ha, born in Meiji 22, he gave that to Kinbei Sato and Masaji Kimura. Tanemura Shoto received all scrolls and densho from that.

The teaching of the Amatsutatara is of the highest level of Martial Arts and Spiritual training. It contains the secret to be a Martial artist. When one can decode the amatsutatar and organize it one can manage universal power with freedom. To misuse it is a serious matter and abuse of it is never forgiven. Therefore Ninpo trainees are always required to devote themselves to their training. But it is not sufficient just to gain the Amatsutatara. It will be complete and effective when you receive the ultimate secrets to understand the mystical power system.

 
!. Shinto altar that allows priests pray to the sky, the heavenly beings
2. In most Shinto Shrines, the most sacred part where the Kami resided and the secret treasure is kept, often is barred out from entry
3. Shinto priests would have to pray outside the sacred hall because it is believed that Kami is absolutely pure and human is direty
4. The holy lamps once lit up signify the presence of spirits at the place

Heavenly Abode and Sacred Mirror of Amaterasu

Down the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading "eheyeh asher eheyeh," the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning "I AM THAT I AM".

Japan's sacred mirror, one of three items of the imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mei Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as "O-Ise-san" or "officially "Jingu" holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan.

The site of the nation's most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world's greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplist and most mysterious structures. Described as the "starting point for all journeys in Japan", Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a "pure world" of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land.

About the sacred mirror, on day the Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano's sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (Yata No Kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Impreial princess, reflecting the nation's early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses.

There is still a long journey before we can fully uncover the ultimate secrets of Shinto...

Star Shrines in Japan

By Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara, January 1996

In Japan, the "unusual" natural phenomena almost invariably has a shrine nearby. The natural "object" may be a waterfall, an old twisted tree, an outcropping of rocks, or some other aspect of nature that ancient Buddhist and Shinto followers felt was associated with a particular deity. Star shrines are sometimes dedicated to the familiar Amaterasu (goddess of the sun). More often, they are dedicated to one of the three gods or deities who were said to be born from nothing and from which all came (Similar to the Holy Trinity in Christianity and "San Ching" in Taoism?). Interestingly, these three deities have been associated with a number of "three star" asterisms in the sky including Orion's belt, the tree stars that span Aquila's wings, and the three stars we associate with the head of Scorpio.

As you might guess from the foregoing, star shrines are usually associated in some way with a meteorite (real or imagined). Certainly, if an old twisted tree deserved deification, you can imagine what a "stone" falling from the heavens must have meant to local people in ancient times. Comets, while seen, were "intangible" and usually considered evil. Meteorites, on the other hand, were "tangible" and seen as a direct gift from the "heavenly deities". Of course, such associations for meteorites were not unique to ancient Japan.

Though in a somewhat different way, meteorites still inspire awe. Recent press reports of the furor raised by possible meteorite fragments in the Kanto area attest to the present day ability of these "visitors" to arouse wonder. This, of course, seems to happen all over the world when bolides have been seen or there is any reason to belive that a "stone" may have fallen.

Star shrines exist all over Japan, and there are about 80 in Kochi Prefecture alone. Some star shrines indeed were built around an actual fall and still have a meteorite or fragment of a meteorite enshrined. Some have had the original "stone" stolen (for which local people are usually quite embarrassed). In other cases, the original stone was (and is) not an actual meteorite but rather an indigenous (usually round) stone that locals found and thought must be a "stone from the heavens".

On the whole, star shrines seem simple in structure, not having the architectural flare often associated with temples and shrines in Japan. Most are usually located in wooded and quite peaceful areas. Star shrine construction, in terms of orientation and alignment, generally has no astronomical significance. Rather, it tends to reflect a mix of aesthetic choice and Confucian pragmatism.

These are Saddam's gold, found in Iraq that would be similar to Yamashita's gold
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Yamashita's Gold

Yamashita's gold refers to the supposed billions of dollars in gold that were looted from East and Southeast Asia by Japan during World War II and left behind hidden in the Philippines. Most people believe the reports of gold to be an urban legend, yet there are still many treasure hunters who believe in the stories and comb the Philippine countryside in search of the gold. However, some people speculate that the hidden treasure was buried in Malaysia jungles and even underneath the Syonan Jinja in Singapore.

The "gold" is believed to have been anything from gold bullion to religious statues. The idea was that the gold from Asia would finance Japan's war effort, since that nation is poor in resources. The gold had to be transported from the continent back to Japan, via the sea. Most of the stolen gold from South East Asia was first shipped to the port of Singapore, where it was then relayed to the Philippines. From the Philippines the gold was intended to be shipped to the Japanese home islands.

However, as the Pacific War progressed, Allied submarines and aircraft took a heavy toll on Japan's shipping. The Japanese then took the gold and hid it in caves and underground complexes throughout the Philippines, hoping to recover it after the war was over. However, many of those who knew of the locations of the gold were either executed or incarcerated for war crimes, including General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the General in charge of the Philippines, and alleged ringleader of the operation. Thus, the whereabouts of the gold were lost. Many have attempted expeditions to recover the gold, most turn up empty handed. Ferdinand Marcos claimed to have discovered the location of the gold and used it to finance his lifestyle. However it alleged that this is untrue and Marcos merely stole his wealth from the Filipino treasury.

In the eyes of some historians, a 2003 book Gold Warriors: America's Secret Recovery of Yamashita's Gold by Sterling Seagrave and Peggy Seagrave, has both revived the credibility of the story and added to it. The Seagraves have alleged a complex operation by US intelligence operatives to suppress awareness of the loot, and to locate and use it to finance covert operations around the world. The Seagraves have supported their claims with CD-ROMs containing 900 megabytes of documents, maps and photographs.

Here is the link to the report published by South China Morning Post recently on Yamashita's God by Sterling Seagrave and Peggy Seagrave. It is called "Yamashita's Gold - Eyewitness Reveals Truth Of Fabulous WWII Hidden Treasure".

 
Shinto Shrine ruin at MacRitchie Reservoir is full out dangers as well as many underground holes and caves

 
Could these be the possible hideout for Yamashita's Gold?

Another Lobang for Yamashita's Gold?

(Source from Insider's Singapore)

One last mystery refused to die with "Tiger". Was there such thing as "Yamashita's Treasure" and what happened to it?

This treasure is the horde he was alleged to have plundered from rich men's homes as his spoils of victory in Malaya and Singapore, with "souvenirs" from Thailand and Burma also - gold, precious jewellery, valuable paintings select objects d'art, and so on.

Insistence upon the horde's existence lingers on most strongly in the Philippines, where it was said the treasure worth some $300 million was hidden in 172 secret locations around that country's many islands.

It was even alleged by Imelda Marcos that her decreased and disgraced husband Ferdinand, far from stripping the Philippine treasury bare for his own personal use, was an independently wealthy man through his "discovery" of Yamashita's Treasure.

It has since emerged that Marcos has in 1972 ordered Philippine troops to dig a series of 40 m - deep holes across the country in an elaborate - and phoney - Yamashita Treasure hunt. For Marcos was aiming to give the impression that the loot found in these "post-dated" holes was actually the original source of his wealth. After his 1986 downfall, Philippine investigators established that the primary source of his gold was what he'd looted from Manila central bank - ruling that Marcos had been "a fantastic liar"

But a Japanese - American businessman named Minoru Fukumitsu, who had served as one of the Gen MacArthur's was crimes investigators, had undertaken a widespread and fruitless hunt for the treasure. He'd struck a deal with the new Philippines administration to use his insights and contacts to investigate the horde's existence, in exchange for the release of 200 Japanese PoWs. But officially, no luck.

How about Singapore's MacRitchie Reservoir? Did Yamashita stash his goodies there? In 1981, an Indonesian gardener named Sappari, who worked at the reservoir during the Occupation years, suggested that something very valuable had been buried close to the Jinja Shrine. His story went that just before the defeat looked imminent in 1945m several Japanese soldiers in trucks drove up to the reservoir and undertook what Sapparu described as "a lot of activity".

In 1947, the British Administration had hired Sapppari and seven other labourers to dig deep at the suspect end of reservoir, paying them a sizeable sum for their efforts - and their secrecy. Sappari commented (in 1981): "It was hard work. We worked on several spots, digging a total of 21 holes to a depth of seven metres. But we found nothing."

Then there's Batam and other neighbouring Riau islands in Indonesian. It was said that several high - ranking Japanese Officers got out of Singapore just ahead of the British in 1945 and hid out awhile on these nearby islands, together with a large slice of Yamashita's Treasure. Who knows?

Actually, if there ever was such a horde of valuable wartime booty, it would most probably have found its way back to Japan. And that nation's secretive ways would mean that the real truth about Yamashita's Treasure will never be known.....
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