A new study has revealed evidence linking a Heian aristocrat to the creation of sixteen readings for the 生 kanji.

Researchers discovered that the sadistic nobleman gained pleasure from other people's grief and wore all black because he believed it had a slimming effect.

The readings include `sho', `sei', `i'(kiru), `u'(mareru), `o'(u), `ha'(eru), `ki', `nama', `na'(ru), `mu'(su), and a few others that are not used in normal life.

"This recently unearthed depiction of the Heian aristocrat illustrates his method of sitting on a block of tatami while pondering the most outrageous reading combinations," writes one researcher.

The Rising Wasabi ~ The Onion