research on the human mummified specimens stored in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06869
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 45050:Physical anthropology-related
• Research Institution: National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Sakaue Kazuhiro 独立行政法人国立科学博物館, 人類研究部, グループ長 (70333789)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山本 正二 一般財団法人Ai情報センター(研究グループ), 研究グループ, その他 (40302567)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ミイラ / 日本 / 屍蝋化 / 即身仏

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was intended to investigate "what condition and how many mummies exist in Japan" and to clarify "the current status of them and what steps need to be taken with regard to their protection. The survey revealed that there are currently 64 mummfied specimens in Japan. The classification of these specimens included 15 Sokushinbutsu, which are mummified remains of Buddhist monks, 30 mummy specimens from overseas, and 19 mummy specimens (including adipocere, etc.) found in Japan. Of these mummies, those kept in museums were in relatively good condition, but most of the Sokushinbutsu specimens required removal of mold. Some of theｍ (28 individuals) have been preserved in their current form as electronic data by CT imaging.

Free Research Field

自然人類学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、「Inventory of the human mummy specimens stored in Japan」として、Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science Series D (Anthropology)48に公表した。これにより、これまで未知であったミイラ標本の所蔵機関とその状況、そして保存への手立ての基礎情報が明らかとなった。