Just after
the Second World War, the Dutchman Mirin Dajo made himself into a
living enigma, as his body was able to be pierced repeatedly,
without suffering any internal injury or even bleeding. Sixty
years on, the world has largely forgotten what he did, even who he
was.
Mirin Dajo was born in 1912 as
Arnold Gerrit Henskes. The first records of Dajo come from 1947
when he allowed an assistant to plunge a fencing foil right
through his body at the Corso Theatre in Zurich, Mirin. The foil
appeared to have pieced several vital organs, but Dajo was
unharmed. People were terrified, but intrigued by what they saw.
Mirin was forced to undergo many medical tests and to perform his
act for baffled doctors. After x-ray tests were conducted, the
legitimacy of his abilities was confirmed by the medical
community. It could not be explained by any physician.
Mirin Dajo was a very religious man
and some media outlets labeled him a “Messiah.” His sideshow
displays were often concluded with a lecture and a message of
peace. During his act he took to being impaled by three hollow
skewers. He would then pump water through those skewers to become
a human fountain.
On May 26, 1948, Mirin Dajo died
from an aortic rupture. He was not performing at the time, but his
death could have resulted from previous acts. A true explanation
for his incredible ability is yet to be determined, maybe luck,
faith, unique biology, or mind over matter.
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