Is this finally the evidence proving the existence of “mermaids” in real life?
Discovery of a Creature Resembling a “Mermaid”
Between 1736 and 1741, a terrifying creature resembling a human was reportedly found in the Pacific Ocean. Strangely, the creature had a distorted face with sharp teeth, but instead of human legs, it possessed a fish tail in the lower half of its body.
Even more bizarre, the “mermaid” mummy was said to grant immortality to anyone who consumed its flesh, and scientists are conducting research to uncover the true nature of this entity.
Discovered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Shikoku Island, Japan, between 1736 and 1741, the mummy is currently housed in a temple in the city of Asakuchi.
This strange creature, with a wrinkled face, sharp teeth, two hands, and even hair and eyebrows – has an oddly human-like form, except for its fish tail.
Researchers from Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts in Japan have taken the mummy for a CT scan in hopes of shedding light on the mysteries surrounding this creature.
Researcher Hiroshi Kinoshita from the Okayama Folklore Cultural Association stated that this mummy might hold religious significance.
Scientists are scanning this strange creature with a CT machine to uncover its true nature
Mr. Kinoshita said: “Japanese mermaids have legends about immortality. It is said that anyone who eats the flesh of a mermaid will never die. A legend in many regions of Japan tells of a woman who accidentally ate the flesh of a mermaid and lived for 800 years.“
This creature is now worshipped in a Japanese temple.
“The legend of ‘Yao-Bikuni’ is also preserved near the temple where the mermaid mummy was found. I have heard that some people who believe in the legend have attempted to eat the scales of this mummy.”
According to Japanese legend, mermaids grant immortality to anyone who consumes their flesh.
Mr. Kinoshita further shared: “There is also a legend that a mermaid predicted a contagious disease.”
Is This the Mermaid from Legend?
A letter dated 1903, stored alongside the mummy, recounts the origins of this mysterious creature.
“A mermaid was caught in fishermen’s nets off the coast of Kochi Prefecture. The fishermen, unaware that it was a mermaid, brought it to Osaka and sold it as a strange fish. Coincidentally, my ancestors purchased it and kept it as a family treasure.” the letter states.
It is unclear how or when the mummy arrived at the Enjuin Temple in Asakuchi Prefecture.
The temple keeper mentioned that the corpse had been displayed in a glass case for about 40 years and is currently stored in a fireproof safe.
Scientist Hiroshi Kinoshita – a member of the research team.
In a statement to the press, this individual said: “We worship it, hoping that it will help alleviate the Corona pandemic, even just a little.”
However, researcher Kinoshita has a different perspective on this creature.
He believes it was “manufactured” at some point during the Edo period – a historical era in Japan that lasted from 1603 to 1867.
“Of course, I don’t think it is a real mermaid. I believe this creature was produced for export to Europe during the Edo period. The legend of mermaids still exists in Europe, China, Japan, and even around the world. For that reason, I can imagine that during that time, people were also very interested in it,” Mr. Kinoshita shared.
He continued: “I think this creature was made from living animals, and we want to identify them through CT scanning or DNA testing. It looks like a fish with scales in the lower body but resembles a primate with hands and a face in the upper body.”
Scientists are currently researching the mummy and will publish the results by the end of this year.
