Sôtan Inari Shrine
Kyoto's Fox Sôtan
Once upon a time, there was an old fox who had lived
for many years inside the temple of Shôkoku-ji. On cold winter nights,
this fox used to change his form into that of the Tea Master Sôtan and go
wandering off to the homes of other tea aficionados. There he would
partake freely of tea and cakes before heading back home. This happened
quite frequently, they say. At first, no one really noticed, but in time,
people caught on to the fact that they had been made the object of sport
by this Fox Sôtan.
(Translated from Kissa yoroku)
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