World and Lore / Kyoto mystery

The Nine Stages of Decay

There is a unique tradition of Buddhist art called "kusozu" that vividly depicts the process of a body's decomposition in nine graphic stages. Illustrating the impermanence of life, such images are meant to rid practicing monks of their worldly desires. It is believed by some that the tradition originated when a certain empress consort of high renown requested to be laid in a field after her death, and for a series of portraits depicting her rotting corpse to be made for the spiritual instruction of others.