Introduction

The purpose of this blog will be to make a cross cultural comparison of mummification differences based on the social status of Chinese aristocrats compared  to Sokunshinbutsu  monks. We will be looking at two different mummies. The first mummy that will be discussed is the monk mummy Honmyokai Shonin  and the detailed context of his burials and findings, and the aristocratic mummy Lady Dai and and the detailed context of her burials and findings.


The method we are using is cross-cultural to get a better understanding of how different members of society in Asia; aristocrats and monks were mummified and how their social status is represented. Evidence to present our case about the different ways social status is conveyed will be burial details such as: manner of mummification, grave goods, and interpretations based on literature contemporary to the burials.


The above video we have included ,The Mummy theme song, serves to begin the discussion in that not all mummies are from Egypt, mummification is practiced in many parts of the world and it is not limited to elites 
such as Lady Dai but can also happen to monks like Honmyokai Shonin.



Summary of findings:

Honmyokai Shonin’s, social status was at first ascribed due to him being a Samurai which he then gave up in-order to become a Living Buddha; which are holy individuals that die to bring salvation to others. By becoming a monk he had to give up his ascribed status in oder to achieve his status as monk and further more as a mummy. The self-mummification process is long, hard, and takes a lot of determination. Honmyokai Shonin achieved living mummy status by using the techniques of starvation and mediation. By dedicating the last portion of his life to becoming a living buddha we can see that Honmyokai Shonin used his ascribed and achieved status to his full advantage. As archaeologists further study self-mummification in Japanese Buddhist monks they will find out more about the religious practices, superstitions, agency, structure, diet, work ethic and many other pieces of valuable information. Therefore, mummified remains can be seen as a doorway that sheds light on the practices, beliefs, and customs. 



The Lady of Dai's high social status as a high ranking noble is ascribed form of social status. The Lady of Dai was born a noble therefore her social status is ascribed and it is supported by the way her final resting place was organized after death, which involved many elaborate and richly decorated grave goods and coffins whose purpose was to make her immortal afterlife as comfortable and luxurious as it was while she was alive. 



Please continue on to the next five post below by clicking on the "older posts" tabs below on the bottom right hand side to learn more about the case study.