Tag: ONMYOJI
-
When a Voice Becomes a Weapon: A Heian-Era Tale of Curse and Consequence
Why This Tale? Among the many supernatural narratives preserved in classical Japanese literature, some stories stay with you longer than others. This particular tale from the Konjaku Monogatari-shū—a twelfth-century anthology—has lingered in my mind since I first encountered it. Perhaps it’s the premise that unsettles me most: the idea that simply answering a knock at…
-
The Secret Arts of the Onmyōji: A Complete Guide to Japan’s Ancient Mystical Techniques
Long before anime and video games made onmyōji household names, these mysterious figures wielded actual influence over emperors and aristocrats in ancient Japan. They weren’t just fortune-tellers—they were the imperial court’s frontline defense against supernatural threats, cosmic imbalances, and the unpredictable whims of fate. But what exactly did they do? What were the spells, the…
-
The Onmyoji Who Summoned Pirates Back from the Sea: Chitoku of Harima Province
Why I Chose This Story Among the many tales of onmyōji preserved in classical Japanese literature, most spotlight the famous names—Abe no Seimei, Kamo no Yasunori, the great masters of the capital. But every so often, you encounter a figure operating far from the polished corridors of Kyoto, someone whose power was no less real…