Soutankitsune　宗旦狐

KEY WORD :　architecture / tea houses

A tea ceremony legend that probably dates from the 1st half of the 17c. An old fox, the story goes, lived in the precinct of Shoukokuji 相国寺 in Kyoto. In the autumn he would disguise as himself as the famous tea master Sen Soutan 千宗旦 (1578-1658) and often visit tea masters in neighborhoods to drink tea and eat cakes. Everyone enjoyed the tea master's company even though all knew he was really a fox. Thus, they called him Soutankitsune. The story demonstrates how well known Soutan was in tea houses at that time.

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