Mummies That Made Themselves

	Shizue Endo, Chief Priest at Dainichibo Temple, Japan		Shinyokai Mummy at Dainichibo Temple, Japan		Kisho Sato at Churenji Temple, Japan

The mummy shown above is unique. Unlike other mummies around the world that were created by nature or by those who outlived them, this mummy is the body of a monk who underwent a process of self-mummification while still alive.

In 18th-century Japan, legend has it that a field hand fled to a Buddhist monastery after killing a samurai in self-defence. Stricken with guilt and afraid of revenge, he sought sanctuary with a sect of Buddhists who believed extreme physical suffering offered a path to spiritual enlightenment. Yearning for enlightenment, he planned to mummify his body while still alive.

Locked away to meditate in a sealed room with no food or water, he had only a bell with which to signal to the other monks. For 13 days he rang the bell, but on the 14th day he was silent. When, after 1000 days, the room was unlocked, the dead monk's body was found perfectly preserved.

Nor is this a unique case. Hidden in the mountains of Japan are the mummified remains of other Buddhist monks who died more than 200 years ago. Now a team of Japanese scientists is trying to unravel the mystery of the monks' perfect mummification.

Top