journey or when from home by night. Every morning turn to the east and repeat the phrase Ko-so-roka-ma-ya-taku three times, spitting each time. You need then have no fear of kappas,[1] dogs, or other animals.
A charm against thunder. On the ninth day of the ninth month, cut a peach-stone into a triangular form, and wear it in a three-cornered bag.[2]
How to keep off malignant influences and fire throughout the year. At daybreak on the last day of the year put some water in a bucket or basin, and go round behind the privy, taking care that nobody sees you. Then sprinkle the water three times. It is wonderful how this will preserve you against evil influences and fire.
The moxa[3] applied between the toes will cure intermittent fever.
Moxa (mo-gusa), i.e. tinder, applied to the navel and kept in its place by a band, will prevent suffering from the heat when travelling, and will also act as a prophylactic against cholera and dysentery.
A remedy for ringworm (tamushi). Write with ink over it the character for "lung" in the middle with three rows of asterisks round it in circles. Then repeat the name of Buddha seven times to the ringworm. Or write over it the character for "south" three times.
A child born in the daytime will be like its father; at night like its mother.[4]
Secret method of altering the sex of an unborn female child to a male. In an early period of pregnancy, let the mother put on her husband's nightdress, cap, or hat, and go round the well three times early in the morning. Then let her look twice at her face
- ↑ [The kappa or kawako is a ferocious being believed to live in the rivers of the southern island Kyushu, with "the body of a tortoise, limbs of a frog, and the head of a monkey."—Ed.]
- ↑ [Peaches were thrown at the thunders which pursued Izanagi in the Netherworld. See Nihongi, p. 30.—Ed.]
- ↑ [The moxa is a cone or cylinder of the downy covering of the dried leaves of Artemisia moxa, for burning on the skin.—Ed.]
- ↑ This is a deduction from the In and Yō (Yin and Yang) philosophy of China. In is female, dark, negative, etc. Yō is male, bright, positive, etc.
