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profoundly influenced those who viewed them. According to Vallee, "Ancient Japanese inform us that on October 27, 1180, an unusual luminous object described as an ‘Earthen vessel' flew from a mountain in Kii Province beyond the northeast mountain of Fukuhara at midnight. After a while, the object changed its course and was lost to sight at the northern horizon, leaving a luminous trail." Early in the morning of September 24, 1235, Japanese General Yoritsume, while camping with his army, sighted a number of unusual aerial objects doing loops in the southwest sky. According to Vallee, this triggered the first "scientific investigation" of a UFO, and the results were predictable. The general's consultants determined that the entire phenomenon was "natural." They determined that the lights observed were the stars being swayed by the excessive winds!" Regarding the impact of these events, Vallee has stated that unusual "celestial phenomenon" over Japanese skies were so common in the Middle Ages that they "influenced human events in a direct way. Panic, riots, and disruptive social movements were often linked to celestial apparitions." The following is a partial list." *On August 3, 989, during a period of great social unrest, three round objects of unusual brilliance were observed. Later they joined together. ‘In 1361, a flying object described as being "shaped like a drum, about 20 feet in diameter," emerged from the inland sea off western Japan. *On January 2, 1458, a bright object resembling the full moon was seen in the sky, and this apparition was followed by "curious signs" in the heavens and on Earth. *Two months later, on March 17, 1458, five stars appeared, circling the moon. They changed color three times and suddenly vanished. Ten years later, on March 8, 1468, a dark object, which made a "sound like a wheel," flew from Mt. Kasuga toward the west at midnight. * On January 3, 1569, in the evening, a flaming star appeared to float in the sky. It was regarded as an omen of serious changes, announcing the fall of the Chu Dynasty. *In May, 1606, fireballs were continuously reported over Kyoto, and one night a whirling ball of fire resembling a red wheel hovered near the Nijo Castle and was observed by many of the samurai. *Chaos spread all over Japan on January 2, 1749, when three round objects "like the moon" appeared and were seen for four days. Such a state of social unrest developed and seemed so clearly linked with the mysterious "celestial objects" that the government decided to act. Riot participants were executed, but confusion became total when people observed three "moons" aligned in the sky and, several days later, two "suns." Legends of ancient extraterrestrial visitations from "star beings" or "gods" from outer space is not limited to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Indeed, some of the most ancient and detailed traditions of such beings are found in the oral traditions of Native Americans. Some of the traditions are closely guarded secrets available only to those in the inner circles of tribal authority. Others are well-known by outsiders. 28 THE "STAR PEOPLE" In June 1996 at the Yankton Sioux Reservation, South Dakota, a landmark conference