WITCHCRAFT IN TOKIO

Otaki Mail, 15 August 1928, Page 1

WITCHCRAFT IN TOKIO

HOMICIDE TRIAL. BUDDHIST PRIESTESS BEFOItE 13 AK. BIDDING WOMEN OF "EVIL FOX.'' Witchcraft days were revived in a Tokvo law-court recently when a Buddhist priestess and 'a tradesman ami his wife were on trial for causing the death oc the tradesman's aged mother in an attempt to free her of the spirit Of an evil fox which they belies ed h-ad taken possession of her body. According to the testimony offered, the priestess, being generally conceded 1o have supernatural powers in casting out fox spirits, was called in to officiate in that capacity by the tradesman and his wife, who apparently were sincere in the belief that a fox inhabited the body of the man's aged mother In proof of the assertion the tradesman and bis wife both testified that the old woman frequently barked like a fox and that she was sometimes taken ,vith violent pains when the evil beast wis gnawing at her internally Alter offerings to'the fox shrine and various home' cures had proved unavailing, the c oU ple called in the assistance of a p ri c,tcss who was reputed to have effected marvellous cures where fox spirits were concerned. As to the exact, method of her treaty met, the testimony <WEcre. lhc tradesman naively reports that t.i priestess pressed her knees into the old woman's body until the fox rpint, hnv.'liii" with pain, fled from the scene. He contends that the treatment was highly successful, but for the fact that -.he patient unfortunately did not survive the ordeal. The priestess maintains that she did not inflict any bodily injury but merely pressed her hands over the patient's body in the orthodox manner employed by those who cast out foxes. She is unable to account for the woman's death. After hearing the testimony of the various witnesses, the judge, after admonishing the priestess to be less violent in her priestly ministrations, ordered the continued. It is likely that the verdict '.'.ill be a suspended sentence or a dismissal on the ground that the crime, if crime it was, was .committed in ignorance.