McLeod, N. Illustrations to the Epitome of the Ancient History of Japan.

(JAPAN).

Tokyo

1878

Third Edition. Title-page, two leaf list of subscribers, five introductory leaves, followed by eighty-three engraved plates, letterpress list of contents at end.

A most curious volume identifying the Shindai class of Japan as descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The author, a Scottish explorer, traveled extensively in Japan, then under the rule of the Shogun, and came to the conclusion that the noble Samurai are descendants of two of the Ten Lost Tribes, Ephraim and Menasseh. Although the origins of the Japanese race are shrouded in mystery, the putative claim that the Japanese nobility are exiles from the Northern Kingdom of Israel, might be considered tentative at best. See EJ, XII cols. 249-52.