Japanese legends, Davis retelling
Death-Stone
A spirit warns the travelling priest Genno against resting beside a stone said to kill those who touch it. Its story leads back to the Jewel Maiden at the imperial court. Genno performs religious rites before the stone, which splits as the spirit reappears.
Also known as Sessho-seki · Stone of Nasu Moor
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In the sources
A warning beside the stone
TraditionalThe spirit tells Genno that the stone is dangerous to humans and animals. His curiosity turns the warning into a request for its history.
The stone opened by a religious encounter
TraditionalGenno offers flowers, burns incense and recites sacred texts. When he questions the spirit about its earlier existence, the stone splits and the spirit appears again.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Davis's adaptation of a dramatic legend mediated through B. H. Chamberlain. The deadly touch and resident spirit belong to the narrative, rather than establishing a physical property of a present-day rock. Modern events and the identification of a surviving site are outside these passages.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
Men, birds, and beasts have perished by merely touching it!Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Death-Stone, printed p. 95
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0108
- Original scan leaf
- 125
- Recorded leaf number
- 125
- Current Reader position
- 107
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
Suddenly the Death-Stone was rent and the spirit once more appearedOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Death-Stone, printed p. 97
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0111
- Original scan leaf
- 129
- Recorded leaf number
- 129
- Current Reader position
- 110
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Jewel Maiden
The learned courtly figure whose fox identity is revealed in Davis's Death-Stone story.
Same subject and traditionGrass-Cleaving Sword
The sword given to Yamato that cuts a path through burning grass.
Same subject and traditionTamate-Bako
Otohime's forbidden keepsake, opened by Urashima after returning from the Sea King's realm.
Same subject and traditionTreasure Ship
The New Year vessel of the Gods of Luck and its fortunate cargo.