(解説文要約)
明治三十六年の初夏、福岡県朝倉郡秋月に英彦山の天狗が現れ、
湧き出る霊水であらゆる病気を治すという噂が立ちました。
ヤマの人びともこぞってその霊水を求めて秋月に行ったようです。
しかし、その後警察の調べが入った結果、インチキであることが判明しました。
サクラを使って噂を流し、ばく大な賽銭(さいせん)を着服していたようです。
霊水は衛生的にも飲めるものではなかったそうです。
In the early summer of 1903, a rumor spread everywhere.
The rumor said that the tengu, or long-nosed goblin of Mt. Hiko appeared in Akizuki, Asakura County, Fukuoka Prefecture and that the miraculous water from a spring newly found in the townwould cure every disease.
The people at pits seemingly went to Akizuki for the water all together.
However, the rumor proved to be fraud after it was investigated by the police.
Frauds who had their decoys spread the rumor reportedly pocketed huge money offered at the spring.
It is said, moreover, that the spring water was unsanitary and not good to drink.