Japanese legends, Davis retelling
Jewel Maiden
The Jewel Maiden is introduced as a beautiful and learned woman at the Japanese court. A supernatural light associated with her is followed by the emperor's illness, and a court magician accuses her of causing harm. Rejected by the emperor, she resumes a fox's shape and escapes to Nasu moor.
Also known as Flawless Jewel Maiden · Davis's Jewel Maiden
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In the sources
Learning and attraction at court
TraditionalThe spirit describes the Jewel Maiden as familiar with Buddhist lore, Confucian classics, science and Chinese poetry. Her beauty and learning help explain her position in the opening of the tale.
An identity revealed after rejection
TraditionalA court magician connects the emperor's decline with the maiden. When she is rejected, the narrative reveals her fox form and sends her toward the Death-Stone.
Context & interpretation
This entry preserves the figure and naming in Davis's retelling rather than equating every version of fox-women legends. The magician's accusations are a character's speech within the legend, not an editorial judgement about women or a medical explanation of illness. Her learning and transformation are narrative features.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
Her wisdom equalled her beautyOpen 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
she resumed her original shape, that of a foxOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Death-Stone, printed p. 96
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0109
- Original scan leaf
- 126
- Recorded leaf number
- 126
- Current Reader position
- 108
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed