[Like before, the usual disclaimer: I describe weird things in Japan, not weird things about Japan. This week, I’m traveling so I don’t have time for any rigor-ish research. But just google “tomb of jesus christ shingo.” — It’s the bizarre intersection between the occult fascination of a Japanese “new religion,” the credulous hucksterism of a small-time mayor looking to boost his isolated village’s image, and the indifferent villagers (only one of whom is Christian) who put up with the odd tourist in exchange for a little spare commerce. And if it isn’t obvious, Isukiri’s creed is my fictional creation]
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ,
His only <first> Son,
our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
<and in his second son, Isukiri,>
<who> suffered under Pontius Pilate <in Jesus’s place,>
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell; <*record scratch* boring!>
<Jesus fled across Siberia to Japan,>
<where he studied the mysteries of faith>
<and married blessed Miyuko,>
<who begat him three daughters,>
<and died in peace at the age of 106.>
<He was buried along side Isukiri>
on the third day He rose again from the dead; <Nahhh>
and ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
<and on the left, loyal Isukiri.>
From there He <They> will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church, [the inquisitor said I had to strike this]
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, <meh.>
<Isukiri’s martyrdom,>
and life everlasting.
(I cannot overemphasize this mindless word:)
Amen.
