The “Rainboard Ragon” that was mummified centuries ago in Japan has been revealed to be a weasel-like marten
Researchers believe it has cracked the mystery of the “Rainboard Dragon,” a mummy that has been sitting in Japanese treasure houses for centuries.
“Dragon” is hidden in Shosoin Treasure House According to Penn News, it is in Nara, a historic Japanese city. The ruins are reportedly discovered in 1429 by Yoshinori Sea Lycaga, a 15th century general.
Legend says that at the time of the discovery of the skeleton, the sea lion cut out the piece from the rare and precious Agarwood Ranjatai. General I was visiting Todaiji Temple in Nara at the time.
Shortly afterwards, the temple monk k claimed to have seen “something in the shape of a small dragon” that had been dried by the sun. The sea lion took the skeleton and saved it.
But was the skeleton a dragon after all? Researchers say that’s not the case at all.
Legend says that the “dragon” was discovered in 1429 by Yoshinori Ashkaga, a 15th century general. (Shosointreisure House via Pen News)
A recently published study found that “dragons” were actually female martens.
Fluffy, weasel-like animal Native to Japan in the central and southern parts of Japan.
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“The two premolars are clearly visible, and this feature indicates that it is a species of the genus MARTES,” the study states.
Researchers used modern techniques, including x-ray analysis, to determine the species of the skeletal structure. (Shosointreisure House via Pen News)
Researchers have discovered that Marten dates back to the 11th or 12th century. (Shosointreisure House via Pen News)
use X-ray technology And radiocarbon dating, researchers have discovered that Marten dates back to the 11th or 12th centuries.
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According to Pen News, Todai-Ji Temple was undergoing intense renovations at the time. Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped and mummified before it died.
The photo shows that Marten lacks its forelimbs, resembling a dragon.
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Legend says that whenever a skeleton repository is opened, The Treasure House falls – and during the study, the researchers fought Heavy downpour This made travel from Tokyo to Nara difficult.
The skeleton was discovered in 1429 at Todaj Temple in Nara. (Getty Images)
Mami Tsuru, a protectionist at Shosoin Treasure House, told Pen News he is confident that the skeleton is the same as that recorded by Todai-Ji Monk.
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“The age decision has significantly increased the likelihood of this. mummy It is an object that looks like a tanned dragon recorded in Muromachi-era documents,” the expert said.
The Japanese mummy marten was mistaken for a dragon because its forelimbs were lost. (Shosointreisure House via Pen News)
Tsuru said, “I think this is a great example of how Shosoin protects not only beautiful items, but all the items in the repository.”