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Taxing people for having access to something is like a restaurateur taking a beggar to court, accusing him of smelling his cooking outside the inn, without paying.

That is the subject of a legendary Japanese story about judge Ōoka Tadasuke, pretty well known in Europe, and something Swedish children probably know.

Ōoka hears the case, and then rules that the jingling sound of the beggar's coins is enough compensation for the "stolen" smell.

(Ōoka was a real historic figure; the story may be apocryphal.)




How'd the story crossover to Sweden from Japan?


That's a nice legend.




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