was made in Tso-Chau, or the District of the Ancestors, situated
by the Eastern Sea. To summon the ghost of any dead person--or
even that of a living person, according to some authorities,--it
was only necessary to kindle some of the incense, and to
pronounce certain words, while keeping the mind fixed upon the
memory of that person. Then, in the smoke of the incense, the
remembered face and form would appear.

In many old Japanese and Chinese books mention is made of a
famous story about this incense,--a story of the Chinese Emperor
Wu, of the Han dynasty. When the Emperor had lost his beautiful
favorite, the Lady Li, he sorrowed so much that fears were
entertained for his reason. But all efforts made to divert his
mind from the thought of her proved unavailing. One day he
ordered some Spirit-Recalling-Incense to be procured, that he
might summon her from the dead. His counsellors prayed him to
forego his purpose, declaring that the vision could only
intensify his grief. But he gave no heed to their advice, and
himself performed the rite,--kindling the incense, and keeping
his mind fixed upon the memory of the Lady Li. Presently, within
the thick blue smoke arising from the incense, the outline, of a
feminine form became visible. It defined, took tints of life,
slowly became luminous, and the Emperor recognized the form of
his beloved At first the apparition was faint; but it soon became
distinct as a living person, and seemed with each moment to grow
more beautiful. The Emperor whispered to the vision, but received
no answer. He called aloud, and the presence made no sign. Then
unable to control himself, he approached the censer. But the
instant that he touched the smoke, the phantom trembled and
vanished.