Lot Essay
Miyazaki Joso (1855-1910) was born in Tokyo and apprenticed to Kojitsu. He taught many artists, many of whom took on the character "So" in their name, thereby forming the So School.
The Japanese fox is believed to have supernatural powers and has the ability to bewitch people and cast spells on them. Foxes were supposed to live to a great age and to be able to assume human form on reaching one hundred, when they might appear in the guise of a priest or a woman. Possession by foxes was a nervous disorder, once common in Japan. The person possessed, hears and understands everything that the fox inside says or thinks, and the two often engage in a loud and violent dispute, the fox speaking in a voice altogether different from that of the individual. The Spirits of the dead ride upon foxes, and they are said to haunt graves; they are also responsible for the fox-fire (kitsune-bi) or will-o'-the wisp.
However all foxes are not maleficent, one with an appearance of good augury, came bringing Wen Kung T'sin, a book of wisdom. The wise and good ruler was enabled to subdue Barbarians and rule the Empire in the seventh century. Books in roll form are sometimes placed in the mouths of the fox guardians of Inari, the Rice god, who's messenger he represents.
The Japanese fox is believed to have supernatural powers and has the ability to bewitch people and cast spells on them. Foxes were supposed to live to a great age and to be able to assume human form on reaching one hundred, when they might appear in the guise of a priest or a woman. Possession by foxes was a nervous disorder, once common in Japan. The person possessed, hears and understands everything that the fox inside says or thinks, and the two often engage in a loud and violent dispute, the fox speaking in a voice altogether different from that of the individual. The Spirits of the dead ride upon foxes, and they are said to haunt graves; they are also responsible for the fox-fire (kitsune-bi) or will-o'-the wisp.
However all foxes are not maleficent, one with an appearance of good augury, came bringing Wen Kung T'sin, a book of wisdom. The wise and good ruler was enabled to subdue Barbarians and rule the Empire in the seventh century. Books in roll form are sometimes placed in the mouths of the fox guardians of Inari, the Rice god, who's messenger he represents.