Condemned - Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities

Summary

Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities – Episode: "Condemned"

Release Date: January 28, 2025

In the episode titled "Condemned," host Erin Menke takes listeners on a fascinating journey through two distinct yet equally intriguing tales. Each story delves into historical mysteries and peculiar traditions, showcasing the blend of the past and present that shapes our understanding of the world today.

1. The Enigmatic Okunoin Cemetery of Mount Koya, Japan

Overview Erin Menke opens the episode by exploring the rich history of Japan, highlighting its transition from a nation of samurai and isolationism to a modern commercial powerhouse. Central to this narrative is the Okunoin Cemetery located on Mount Koya, a site where ancient beliefs intersect with contemporary corporate practices.

Mount Koya and Kobo Dashi Mount Koya, established in 819 by the revered Buddhist monk Kobo Dashi, serves as the spiritual heart of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Kobo Dashi, often likened to the "Eastern Leonardo da Vinci," made significant contributions across various disciplines, including calligraphy, poetry, and philosophy. His legacy is preserved through oral traditions, where monks pass down teachings using nature-inspired analogies, such as comparing a "clouded mind" to the different phases of the moon.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kobo Dashi's legacy is his tomb. Unlike traditional burials, he was sealed in a tomb to continue meditating on humanity's welfare. Monks maintain this chamber by providing two meals daily, believing that the tomb functions as an eternal meditation space rather than a final resting place.

Historical Challenges and Modern Reverence Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Mount Koya faced numerous challenges from Shoguns who viewed the growing influence of Buddhism as a threat. Despite these attacks and imposed restrictions, the legend of Kobo Dashi endured, leading Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun, to honor his ancestors by building a shrine on Mount Koya in 1643.

Today, Mount Koya remains a testament to Japan's ability to honor its past while embracing modernity. The Okunoin Cemetery, which originally housed samurai graves, now includes memorials for contemporary corporations like Panasonic, Canon, and Shinmaiwa. These corporate graves often feature unique markers, such as Shinmaiwa's large stone rocket ship, reflecting the companies' identities and legacies.

Notable Memorials One particularly unique memorial belongs to the Japan Pest Control Association, erected in 1968. This memorial honors the thousands of termites exterminated as part of their work, juxtaposing Buddhist vegetarian principles with the practical demands of pest control. As Menke poignantly remarks, "With this memorial, the Japanese Pest Control Association expressed regret that their existence was incompatible with the existence of termites" (03:45).

Cultural Persistence Mount Koya's enduring legacy illustrates how modern Japan continues to be influenced by its historical and spiritual roots. Despite technological advancements and societal changes, the emotions of sadness, guilt, and the desire to honor the dead remain deeply ingrained. Menke concludes this segment with a thoughtful reflection: "They may have traded in their swords for smartphones, but they still feel sadness, guilt, and a desire to honor the dead" (05:00).

2. The Mysterious Death of Christopher Marlowe

Overview The second tale transports listeners back to Elizabethan England, focusing on the enigmatic playwright Christopher Marlowe. Known for masterpieces like "Doctor Faustus" and "The Massacre at Paris," Marlowe's untimely and mysterious death has been a subject of intrigue and speculation for centuries.

The Fateful Night On May 30, 1593, Marlowe was fatally stabbed in a tavern in Deptford, London. The incident occurred after a heated argument over a bill in a private room, leading to his fatal injury. The eyewitnesses—Ingram Friser, Nicholas Scares, Robert Polly, and Kit Marlowe himself—claimed that Marlowe, described as "hot-headed" and possibly intoxicated, initiated the violence by brandishing a dagger (06:15).

Aftermath and Controversies Despite the apparent self-defense scenario, suspicions quickly arose due to Marlowe's reputation and the dubious backgrounds of his companions. Ingram Friser, who killed Marlowe, was pardoned on June 1 with testimony from the other two men supporting the self-defense claim. However, Marlowe's contentious life, marked by accusations of atheism, heresy, and counterfeiting, fueled rumors of foul play.

Conspiracy Theories Historian speculation suggests that Marlowe's death may have been orchestrated by powerful figures threatened by his influence or the subversive themes in his work. The involvement of men with shady pasts, such as Nicholas and Ingram being conmen and Robert Polly's imprisonment for the Babington Plot, adds layers of complexity to the mystery. Menke highlights these theories: "Scholars have proposed a number of theories with suspects, including Sir Walter Reilly, various powerful critics of Marlowe's plays, or even Queen Elizabeth herself" (08:45).

Legacy and Speculation Despite extensive research, the true motive behind Marlowe's death remains elusive. Menke emphasizes the enduring fascination with his life: "One thing we know for sure though, this famous poet died as he lived, providing drama, entertainment and intrigue to us all, living a life as adventurous as any character in a play" (10:25). His works continue to inspire, and his mysterious demise ensures that Christopher Marlowe remains a captivating figure in literary history.

Conclusion

In "Condemned," Erin Menke masterfully intertwines the ancient spiritual traditions of Japan with the tumultuous literary world of Elizabethan England. Through detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, the episode not only recounts historical events but also invites listeners to ponder the lasting impacts of these curiosities on contemporary society. As Menke aptly concludes, "They may have traded in their swords for smartphones, but they still feel sadness, guilt, and a desire to honor the dead," tying both stories together under the universal themes of legacy and remembrance.

For more intriguing tales from the past and present, subscribe to Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities on Apple Podcasts or visit curiositiespodcast.com. Don't forget to check out the official Cabinet of Curiosities book for an extended exploration of these curious narratives.

Notable Quotes:

"With this memorial, the Japanese Pest Control Association expressed regret that their existence was incompatible with the existence of termites." — Erin Menke (03:45)
"They may have traded in their swords for smartphones, but they still feel sadness, guilt, and a desire to honor the dead." — Erin Menke (05:00)
"One thing we know for sure though, this famous poet died as he lived, providing drama, entertainment and intrigue to us all, living a life as adventurous as any character in a play." — Erin Menke (10:25)

Stay curious and continue exploring the depths of history, mystery, and the inexplicable with each episode of Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities.

Transcript

A (0:00)

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B (0:34)

Welcome to Erin Menke's Cabinet of Curiosities, a production of iHeartRadio and Grim and Mild. Our world is full of the unexplainable and if history is an open book, all of these amazing tales are right there on display just waiting for us to explore. Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities Japan is known for many things. Samurai and beautiful castles, cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji. It's a very distinctive nation that has stayed that way in part due to a roughly 200 year isolationist period which kept outsiders outside and the Japanese. Nowadays that isolationist streak is long past and Japan is a commercial powerhouse. They're known for their massive corporations that exports all kinds of goods all over the world. Look around you right now and you'll probably see an electronic device, car, camera or other piece of machinery manufactured in Japan. But any nation is an amalgamation of its past and its present, and the intersection of Japan's history and the modern world can be very curious. Such is the case at Okunakin Cemetery on Mount Koya in southern central Japan. Mount Koya is a temple settlement said to have been founded in 819 by Kobo Dashi, an ancient Buddhist monk. Some refer to him as the Eastern Leonardo da Vinci due to his many contributions across a variety of disciplines including calligraphy, poetry and philosophy. And he is also the founder of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, which is a Buddhist sect wherein the monks orally pass on instruction through the generations. Using a variety of nature based wisdom, they compare a clouded mind to the different phases of the moon. For example, like many Buddhists, they are also vegetarians and do not believe in the taking of life. Kobodashi was so renowned that when he passed away he was sealed in a tomb instead of cremated. This was so that he could continue to meditate on what is best for humanity. The monks on Mount Koya still bring him two meals each day. They believe his tomb isn't a tomb at all, but a meditation chamber. As the centuries passed, the temple settlement experienced many ups and downs, especially in the isolationist period that I mentioned earlier. In the 17th and 18th centuries Shoguns who were threatened by the popularity of Buddhism occasionally attacked the place or put several restrictions on the temple. Even so, they respected and even feared the legend of Kobodashi. So much so that in 1643, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun, had a shrine built on Mount Koya to honor his father and grandfather. If this place was holy, he said, he wanted their spirits to have a home there. And surprisingly, that very ancient attitude has persisted to this day, with curious results. If ancient Japan was all about the loyalty and honor of samurai clans, modern Japan is all about the loyalty and honor of corporations. And some of those corporations revere Kobodashi and Mount Koya just as much as their ancestors did. Okunoyin Cemetery has thousands of graves, many belonging to that samurai era that I just mentioned. But they are now joined by graves belonging to modern corporations, including Panasonic Canon and Shinmaiwa, an aircraft company. The graves are dedicated to their deceased employees and feature unusual markers. You see, while most gravestones at Okunoin are in the shape of a pagoda, the more recent corporate ones can take any form. Shinmaiwa has a large stone rocket ship as part of its gravesite. But the most unique memorial in the cemetery probably belongs to the Japan Pest control Association. In 1968, they erected a memorial on Mount Koya to the thousands of termites they've killed as part of their work. Remember, I told you that the Buddhists are vegetarian and don't believe in the taking of life. That makes being a Buddhist exterminator very difficult. With this memorial, the Japanese Pest Control association expressed regret that their existence was incompatible with the existence of termites. It's a humorous coda to a long history, but it also shows how much the modern world is still very much informed by the past. Mount Koya has existed for over a thousand years, but humans have only changed so much. They may have traded in their swords for smartphones, but they still feel sadness, guilt, and a desire to honor the dead. So the next time you swat a bug in your house, the least you can do is light a candle for the life you just took. Or if that sounds silly, you can just wait for Kobo Dashi to finally wake up and lead us all into enlightenment.