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. |