Kumano-Goo

Kumano-Goo

a species of ordeal in use among the Japanese for the detection of crime. The goo is a piece of paper, formally sealed with the signet of the Jammabos (q.v.), on which are drawn several mysterious characters, and the figures of various ill-omened birds. All goos are not of equal value; the most powerful, and those most dreaded by the daemons, come from a place called Kumano. The ordeal above named consists in making the accused party swallow a small piece of goo in a certain quantity of water. If he be guilty, the goo twinges and gripes him in the most violent manner, till he is obliged to confess his guilt.