Chizuko Mifune
Chizuko Mifune (御船 千鶴子, Mifune Chizuko, 17 June 1886 – 19 January 1911) was a self-proclaimed clairvoyant during the late Meiji period in Japan.
Early years
Born in Kumamoto Prefecture, Mifune was married in 1908. It has been stated that she was deeply religious and, at times, was hypnotized by her brother-in-law. She allegedly developed her powers at the age of 25 by breathing and meditation exercises.[1][2]
Fukarai
Dr. Tomokichi Fukurai, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Tokyo, was deeply interested in the supernatural and desired to validate extra-sensory perception. Fukarai's supernatural interests were heavily criticized by his colleagues, but he was convinced Mifune's powers were genuine when he privately tested her in April 1910. A second, public test was conducted by Tokyo University president Baron Yamakawa Kenjirō on 15 September 1910. She appeared to read messages written inside hidden envelopes, however, when these messages turned out to be not from Yamakawa but from Fukurai, she was widely seen as a charlatan and heavily criticized by the press.[1][2]
Death
Four months later, in January 1911, Mifune committed suicide at the age of 25 by ingesting poison.[1][2]
Influences
Japanese horror filmmakers of Yogen and Ringu reportedly used Mifune as the inspiration behind the character Shizuko Yamamura, the mother of Ringu antagonist Sadako Yamamura.[3]
References
External links
- Factual Basis Behind The Ring, Ringworld.com, accessed February 23, 2006
- [1] Factual Basis Behind The Ring, Curse of the Ring, accessed June 26, 2012
- Fukurai Institute of Psychology
- Excerpt from Clairvoyance and Thoughtography by Dr. Fukurai, regarding Chizuko
