Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1912-10-11
THE FOX
WOMAN
Story of a Japanese
Superstition
By CLARISSA MACKIE

residence in that country-that is, the
peculiar superstitions of the japanese
But while there are a marvellous stole
ism, heroism, belief in the connection
Of this life and that bOurn- from
which no traveller returns''-call it what
you will in the case of General and
Nine. Nogi-the superstition among
the lower classes is as absurd as any
ether bigotry the world has ever seen.
1t may be a misuse of the word to
call General Nogi's suicide supersti-
ton. 1t was rather obedience to ira
dition, though perhaps it was both. l
was in Japan during the Russo-Japa-
nese war and saw a good deal of that
stole superstition that made the little
men the victors over their ponderous
enemy. That, too, was far removed
from the following absurd case, which
happened in my own family during my
residence in Japan.
1t happened in Tokyo, and would
never have believed it If l had not
witnessed it myself.
O-Honu, my japanese servant, came
scudding into my room just at twilight
one day. The shoji, or sliding panels,
were pushed aside, and had been sit
| ting there watching the glory of the
moon rising above my miniature gar
den.
''Oh, masterv cried the man, falling
on his face before me.
What is the matter, O-Honu?' ]
demanded quickly, for this servant was
ordinarily quiet, self contained fellow,
! not given to excitement of any sort.
| "What is the matterY 1 repeated.
81 have seen her, master! he walled
"Seen whom?"
! 1.-THE fox woman!' he cried, shudder.
! ing.
''The fox woman? Who is she, pray
| Does she deal in foxes" was clearly
puzzled, for at that time l had not
studied Japanese superstitions.
"Aye, | have seen her. Woe is upon
! me and my houser' mourned the thor.
| VOSA1y ohl1SAICu
'"Tell me about it, O-Honu; then per,
haps can help you,'' insisted.
There is no help for one who has
gazed upon the face of the fox woman, -
he grOaned. WOE is upon me and my
| hOusev'
took him by the shoulder and ad,
| ministered good American shake.
''Now, O-Honu, stop this bawling and
tell me what is the matter with your
Z shouted.
The gentle hammered O-Honu flew to
his feet and stared at me in the twi
light.
Honorable master" he said broken.
ly, II have said the truth to you ]
have gazed upon the face of the fox
woman, and disaster is upon me-"
eff you mean that you've gone crazy
! I think you're right" l said sternly
snow tell me who is this fox woman
''She is an evil spirit, MASTER" muir
INJURED O-Honu, with a frightened
glance toward the open window and
the moonlit garden beyond.
l said nothing for a moment
knew that belief in spirit life was toe
deeply ingrained in the nation for me
to scott at his fear or endeavor to allay
his fears.
'"Tell me all about it, O-Honu," ]
said, and for the moment he ceased
his trembling and obeyed.
II was passing through the cedar
grove beyond the temple, master, and
was fastening, for it has been sale
that the fox woman has been seer
thereabouts, when was conscious that
was not alone in the grove.
something ran beside me and breath
ed as it ran. l thought it was a dos
or fox. and looked down, but saw
nothing.
II looked to either side of me, il
front and behind me, but there was
nothing to be seen save the cedar trees
but all the time l heard the quick
hurried breathing and knew that some
thing was near me.
GAS came into the moonlight turn
ed once more and looked, and, master
It was shew Again my servant fel
TO trembling like leaf.
"The fox woman?" I asked.
eyes. master
"What is she like?"
} He shuddered and placed his hand
before his eyes. she has the form of
woman, but her face-ah!''
''You are sure that you haven't mad
some mistake? Perhaps it was SOM
woman servant who thought to fright
en- yeu.'
He shook his head 'I would that
were So" he said sadly. "But it wa
the fox woman-none other
"You have seen her before?" asked
"NO. MASTER
"What can be done-anything to war
or the evil of her presence?" I asked
more to sOothe him into quietude thai
Of any belief had in the apparition.
He shook his head hopelessly.
There is nothing to do except t
wait the doing of her evil" he sal