WITCHCRAFT IN TOKYO.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 153, 30 June 1928, Page 8 (Supplement)

WITCHCRAFT IN TOKYO.

HOMICIDE TRIAL,.

BUDDHIST PRIESTESS BEFORE BAH

RIDDING WOMEN' OF "EVIL EON

Witchcraft days were revived in a Tokyo law court recently when a Buddhist priestess and a tradesman and liis wife were on trial for causing the death of the tradesman's aged mother in an attempt to free her of the spirit of an evil fox which they believed had taken possession of her body.

According to the testimony offered, the priestess, being generally conceded to have supernatural powers in casting out fox spirits, was called in to olliciate in that capacity by the tradesman and bis wife, who apparently were sincere in the beliei that a fox inhabited the body of the man's aged mother.

J a proof of the assertion tlic tradesman and hi* wife both testified that the old woman frequently harked like si fox find that she whs sometimes taken with violent pains when the evil beast was gnawing at her internally. .After offerings to the fox (shrine and various home eiires had proved unavailing, the couple called in the assistance of a priestess who was reputed to have effected marvellous cures where fox spirits were concerned.

As to the exact method of her treatment. the testimony ditFer-i. The tradesman naively reports that the prieste.-s pressed her knees into the old woman's body until the fox spirit, howling with pain, fled from the scene. He contends that the treatment was entirely successful, but for the fact that the patient unfortunately did not survive the ordeal. 'Die priestess maintains that she did not inflict, any bodily injury but merely pressed her hand over the patient's body in the orthodox manner employed l>v those who cast out foxes. She is unable to account for the woman's death.

After hearing the testimony of tho various witnesses, the judge, after admonishing the priestess to be less violent in her priestly ministrations, ordered the ease continued. It is likely that the verdiet. will he a suspended sentence fir a dismissal on the ground that the crime, if crime it was, was committed in ignorance,