Monster Mummies
Japan is home to one of the most bizarre taxidermy traditions on the planet. (Why am I surprised? It IS the coolest country on earth!) For centuries, Japanese artists have created "monster mummies" using the heads, tails, and pelts of different animals--and displayed the results in their homes and temples.
The best-known examples are the Feejee Mermaids, which were profiled on this blog a few years ago. But there are also the demon mummies (shown above) that are proudly showcased in some Buddhist temples--and the mummies of cat-like creatures that are said to fall from the sky during thunderstorms.
But my favorite monster mummy? It's the mummified kappa (river imp) that was discovered in a wooden box hidden in the ceiling of a sake brewery. What do you do with a mummified river imp? If you live in Japan, you build an altar for the creature and put it behind glass so the public can visit it.
Read more at the wonderful Pink Tentacle.
posted by Kirsten Miller at 12:07 PM
10 Comments:
I honestly have not got a well-formulated opinion on this. (I'm kind of like that. :D) It's both weird and more than a little disturbing. It also brings to mind the thought, "Some people have too much time on their hands."
Kappas are cool XD Sorry random~ reminds me of the mummified kappa from the Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan..... The Japanese are crazy... In a good way
Thank you! Finally! Just what I was waiting for! my next get-rich-quick scheme! (Con-artists are so last year)
This is more appatizing than the toilets. by the way, you should add mummies of mystical creatures to your list of interests. i can't count how many mummies i'v seen on this blog.
CREEPY!!!!!!!
Urgh. Trusteth me when I say: Feejee mermaids - not pretty.
This has 'kids, don't try this at home' written all over it.
Ooh . . . now I wanna try it at home!!!
The three-faced demon head is creepy.
I LOVE Japan!!!!
Dakota Blue: I lol'd. xD
Post a Comment
<< Home