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New York Post
7 days ago
- Science
- New York Post
Experts solve mystery of ancient ‘mummified dragon' discovered by Japanese shogun
Researchers believe they've cracked the mystery of a mummified 'rainbow dragon' that's been sitting in a Japanese treasure house for centuries. The 'dragon' has been stashed at the Shosoin Treasure House in the historic Japanese city of Nara, according to Pen News. The remains were reportedly found by Yoshinori Ashikaga, a 15th-century shogun, in 1429. Legend states that Ashikaga cut a piece from the Ranjatai, a rare and valuable piece of agarwood, at the time of the skeleton's discovery. The shogun was visiting the Todai-ji temple in Nara at the time. Shortly after, a monk at the temple claimed to have seen 'something in the shape of a small dragon' that was dried by the sun. Ashikaga took the skeleton and preserved it. 4 The remains were reportedly found by Yoshinori Ashikaga, a 15th-century shogun, in 1429. Office of the Shosoin Treasure House 4 Researchers used X-ray technology and radiocarbon dating to date the marten back to the 11th or 12th centuries. Office of the Shosoin Treasure House But was the skeleton a dragon after all? Researchers say not quite. A recently published study said the 'dragon' was actually a female Japanese marten. The fluffy, weasel-like animal is native to central and southern Japan. 'The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus,' the study states. 4 The skeleton was found at the Todai-ji temple in Nara in 1429. Getty Images Using x-ray technology and radiocarbon dating, researchers found that the marten dated back to the 11th or 12th centuries. The Todai-ji temple underwent heavy renovations at the time, according to Pen News. Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped before it died and was mummified. Pictures show the marten missing its forelegs, making it resemble a dragon. 4 Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped before it died and was mummified. Office of the Shosoin Treasure House Legend states that rain would descend upon the treasure house every time the skeleton's repository was opened – and during the study, researchers fought heavy downpours that made traveling from Tokyo to Nara difficult. Mami Tsuru, a conservationist at the Shosoin Treasure House, told Pen News she's certain the skeleton is the same one recorded by the Todai-ji monk. 'The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period,' the expert said. Tsuru added, 'We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository.'
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Mystery of 1,000-year-old ‘mummified dragon' that was discovered by samurai warrior is finally solved
Scroll down to find out more about the mystical beast HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Mystery of 1,000-year-old 'mummified dragon' that was discovered by samurai warrior is finally solved THE mystery of a 1,000-year-old mummified "dragon" stashed among the treasures of the Japanese royal family has finally been solved. The remains of the 'rainbow dragon' are said to have been discovered by a legendary samurai warrior in 1429. Advertisement 7 The remains of the "rainbow dragon" were discovered in 1429 Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 An X-ray of the ancient remains has uncovered the mystery of the beast Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 The legendary samurai Yoshinori Ashikaga Credit: Credit: Pen News Yoshinori Ashikaga uncovered the mystical beast during a visit to Nara's Todaiji temple. The samurai is said to have cut a piece from the Ranjatai – a rare and treasured piece of agarwood. Then he 'saw something in the shape of a small dragon' dried by the sun, a monk recalled. The dragon's remains have been stashed among the Japanese Royal family's treasures at the Shosoin Treasure House in Nara, Japan ever since. Advertisement Now, a new study has solved the mystery of the creature's true nature - using X-ray technology and radiocarbon dating. Close comparison with known species found that the 'dragon' was in fact a Japanese marten - a weasel-like mammal. The authors wrote: 'The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus.' The creature was likely a full-grown female marten, measuring 40cm in length. Advertisement Radiocarbon testing suggests that the remains date back to the mid-11th to the mid-12th century – a time when the treasure house faced multiple repairs. It is thought that the animal may have entered the building during repairs, got trapped, and died - becoming mummified. I own an antique weapon that's been in my family for years - Pawn Stars said a secret pocket makes it worth $8k Or it may have been brought in deliberately – since the specimen is missing its forelegs and they have never been located. The "dragon" remains have been shrouded in mystery for almost 600 years. Advertisement Legend has it that after the mystical creature was added to the treasure house it would rain every time it was opened. And it seems this is still the case with researchers from Tokyo having to reschedule one of their visits due to heavy rains. 7 Another 'dragon' in the collection now identified as a type of crow Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 Another 'dragon' now thought to be a pigeon Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News Advertisement Conservationist Mami Tsuru of the Shosoin Treasure House confirmed she believed the 'dragon' to be the same one found by Yoshinori Ashikaga. She said: 'The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period'. She added: 'We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository.' Other 'dragons' in the collection were also analysed and were found to be parts of a Kobe mole, crow, and pigeon. Advertisement 7 The Shosoin Treasure House in Japan Credit: Credit: Pen News
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Mystery of 1,000-year-old ‘mummified dragon' that was discovered by samurai warrior is finally solved
THE mystery of a 1,000-year-old mummified "dragon" stashed among the treasures of the Japanese royal family has finally been solved. The remains of the 'rainbow dragon' are said to have been discovered by a legendary samurai warrior in 1429. 7 The remains of the "rainbow dragon" were discovered in 1429 Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 An X-ray of the ancient remains has uncovered the mystery of the beast Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 The legendary samurai Yoshinori Ashikaga Credit: Credit: Pen News Yoshinori Ashikaga uncovered the mystical beast during a visit to Nara's Todaiji temple. The samurai is said to have cut a piece from the Ranjatai – a rare and treasured piece of agarwood. Then he 'saw something in the shape of a small dragon' dried by the sun, a monk recalled. The dragon's remains have been stashed among the Japanese Royal family's treasures at the Shosoin Treasure House in Nara, Japan ever since. read more on japan Now, a new study has solved the mystery of the creature's true nature - using X-ray technology and radiocarbon dating . Close comparison with known species found that the 'dragon' was in fact a Japanese marten - a weasel-like mammal. The authors wrote: 'The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus.' The creature was likely a full-grown female marten, measuring 40cm in length. Most read in Tech Radiocarbon testing suggests that the remains date back to the mid-11th to the mid-12th century – a time when the treasure house faced multiple repairs. It is thought that the animal may have entered the building during repairs, got trapped, and died - becoming mummified. I own an antique weapon that's been in my family for years - Pawn Stars said a secret pocket makes it worth $8k Or it may have been brought in deliberately – since the specimen is missing its forelegs and they have never been located. The "dragon" remains have been shrouded in mystery for almost 600 years. Legend has it that after the mystical creature was added to the treasure house it would rain every time it was opened. And it seems this is still the case with researchers from Tokyo having to reschedule one of their visits due to heavy rains. 7 Another 'dragon' in the collection now identified as a type of crow Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News 7 Another 'dragon' now thought to be a pigeon Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News Conservationist Mami Tsuru of the Shosoin Treasure House confirmed she believed the 'dragon' to be the same one found by Yoshinori Ashikaga. She said: 'The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period'. She added: 'We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository.' Other 'dragons' in the collection were also analysed and were found to be parts of a Kobe mole, crow, and pigeon. 7 The Shosoin Treasure House in Japan Credit: Credit: Pen News 7 The findings of the X-ray investigation being presented at a conference Credit: Credit: Shosoin Treasure House via Pen News
