The Buddhist priest Genno, after much weary travel, came to the moor of Nasu, and was about to rest under the shadow of a great stone, when a spirit suddenly appeared and said: "Rest not under this stone. This is the Death-Stone. Men, birds, and beasts have perished merely by touching it!"

These mysterious and warning remarks naturally awakened Genno's curiosity, and he begged that the spirit would favor him with the story of the Death-Stone.

Thus the spirit began: "Long ago there was a fair girl living at the Japanese Court. She was so charming that she was called the Jewel Maiden. Her wisdom equaled her beauty, for she understood Buddhist lore and the Confucian classics, science, and the poetry of China. One night, the Mikado gave a great feast in the Summer Palace, and there he assembled the wit, wisdom, and beauty of the land. It was a brilliant gathering, but while the company ate and drank, accompanied by the strains of sweet music, darkness crept over the great apartment. Black clouds raced across the sky, and there was not a star to be seen. While the guests sat rigid with fear a mysterious wind arose. It howled through the summer palace and blew out all the lanterns. The complete darkness produced a state of panic, and during the uproar some one cried out 'A light! A light!' From that very hour the Mikado sickened. He grew so ill that the court magician was sent for, and this worthy soul speedily ascertained the cause of His Majesty's decline. He stated, with much warmth of language, that the Jewel Maiden was a harlot and a fiend who, with insidious art, bewitched the Mikado in order to destroy him! The magician's words turned the Mikado's heart against the Jewel Maiden. When this sorceress was spurned she resumed her original shape, that of a fox, and ran away to this very stone on Nasu moor."

The priest looked at the spirit critically. "Who are you?" he said at length.

"I am the demon that once dwelt in the breast of the Jewel Maiden! Now I inhabit the Death-Stone for evermore!"

The good Genno was much horrified by this dreadful confession, but, remembering his duty as a priest, he said: "Though you have sunk low in wickedness, you shall rise to virtue again. Take this priestly robe and begging-bowl, and reveal to me your fox form." Then this wicked spirit cried pitifully: "In the garish light of day I hide myself away, like pale Asama's fires. With the night I'll come again, confess my guilt and pain and new-born pure desires." With these words the spirit vanished.

Genno did not relinquish his good intentions. He strove more ardently than ever for this erring soul's salvation. In order that she might attain nirvana, he offered flowers, burnt incense, and recited the sacred Scriptures in front of the stone.

When Genno had performed several of these religious duties he said: "Spirit of the Death-Stone I conjure thee! What was it in your former world that did cause thee to assume in this so foul a shape?"

Suddenly the Death-Stone was rent and the spirit did appear once more, crying: "In stones there are sprites, in the waters is a voice heard. The wind sweeps across the firmament."

Genno saw a lurid glare about him and, in the shining light, a fox suddenly turned into a beautiful maiden.

Thus spoke the spirit of the Death-Stone: "I am she who first, in Ind, was the demon to whom prince Hazoku paid homage. In Great Cathay I took the form of Hoji, consort of Emperor Iuwao; and at the Court of the Rising Sun I became the Flawless Jewel Maiden, concubine to Emperor Toba."

The spirit confessed to Genno that in the form of the Jewel Maiden she had desired to bring destruction to the Imperial line. "Already," said the spirit, "I was making my plans, already I was gloating over the thought of the Mikado's death, and had it not been for the power of the Court Magician I should have succeeded in my scheme. As I have told you, I was driven from the court. I was pursued by dogs and arrows, and finally sank exhausted into the Death-Stone. From time to time I haunted this Moor. Now the Lord Buddha has had compassion upon me, and he has sent his priest to point out the way of true religion and to bring peace."

The legend concludes with the following pious utterances poured forth by the now contrite spirit: "I swear, Oh man of God! I swear to thee whole blessing wafts me to the skies. I swear a solemn oath, that shall endure firm as the Death-Stone standing on the moor, that from this hour I am virtue's child alone!" And with that the Spirit vanished underneath the stone, never to be seen again.