Onmyōdō

is a system of natural science, astronomy, almanac, divination and magic that developed independently in Japan based on the Chinese philosophies of yin and yang and wuxing (five elements). The philosophy of yin and yang and wu xing was introduced to Japan at the beginning of the 6th century, and, influenced by Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, evolved into the earliest system of ''Onmyōdō'' around the late 7th century. In 701, the Taiho Code established the departments and posts of '' onmyōji'' who practiced ''Onmyōdō'' in the Imperial Court, and ''Onmyōdō'' was institutionalized. From around the 9th century during the Heian period, ''Onmyōdō'' interacted with Shinto and in Japan, and developed into a system unique to Japan. Abe no Seimei, who was active during Heian period, is the most famous ''onmyōji'' (''Onmyōdō'' practitioner) in Japanese history and has appeared in various Japanese literature in later years. ''Onmyōdō'' was under the control of the imperial government, and later its courtiers, the Tsuchimikado family, until the middle of the 19th century, at which point it became prohibited as superstition.

Development

In the 5th and 6th centuries, the principles of yin-yang and the Five Elements were transmitted to Japan from China and Baekje along with Buddhism and Confucianism, particularly by the obscure Korean monk Gwalleuk. Yin-yang and the Five Elements, as well as the divisions of learning to which they were linked – astronomy, calendar-making, the reckoning of time, divination, and studies based on observation of nature – were amalgamated into fortune telling. This process of judging auspicious or harmful signs present in the natural world, was accepted into Japanese society as a technique for predicting good or bad fortune in the human world. Such techniques were known mostly by Buddhist monks from mainland Asia, who were knowledgeable in reading and writing Chinese. Over time, demand from members of the imperial court who believed that ''Onmyōdō'' divination would be helpful in decision-making, made it necessary for the laity to perform the art, and ''onmyōji'' began to appear around the middle of the 7th century. Under the Taiho Code enacted in the early 8th century, the departments of the Imperial Court to which ''onmyōji'' belonged were defined by law.

From around the 9th century during the Heian period, ''Onmyōdō'' interacted with Shinto and '' Goryō'' worship in Japan, and developed into a system unique to Japan. Until then, ''Onmyōdō'' emphasized divination for policy decisions by high government officials, but since the Heian period, ''Onmyōdō'' has emphasized magic and religious services such as warding off evil for preventing natural disasters and epidemics and for the productiveness of grain, as well as curses against opponents. Because Shinto places importance on 'purity' Shinto priests were required to perform '' misogi'' (ritual purification) and fast before performing these religious services, so their activities were restricted. On the other hand, since ''onmyōji'' did not have to perform ''misogi'' or fast, they were able to deal with '' kegare'' (uncleanness) more easily, and they expanded their activities beyond the support of Shinto priests. It gradually spread from the Imperial Court to the general public. In the 10th century and his son , made great advancements in ''Onmyōdō'', astronomy and calendar science. From among their students emerged , who displayed superior skills in the divining arts of ''Onmyōdō'', by which he gained an uncommon amount of trust from the court society. Tadayuki and Yasunori passed on their skills in astronomy to Seimei while their advances in calendar-making went to Yasunori's son. From the end of the Heian period into the Middle Ages, astronomy and calendar science were completely subsumed into ''Onmyōdō'', and the Abe and Kamo families came to dominate the art in the Imperial Court.

''Onmyōji''

was one of the classifications of civil servants belonging to the Bureau of ''Onmyō'' in ancient Japan's ''ritsuryo'' system. People with this title were professional practitioners of ''Onmyōdō''.

''Onmyōji'' were specialists in magic and divination. Their court responsibilities ranged from tasks such as keeping track of the calendar, to mystical duties such as divination and protection of the capital from evil spirits. They could divine auspicious or harmful influences in the earth, and were instrumental in the moving of capitals. It is said that an ''onmyōji'' could also summon and control '' shikigami''. During the Heian period the nobility organized their lives around practices recommended by ''onmyōji''. The practice of "lucky and unlucky directions" provides an example. Depending on the season, time of day, and other circumstances, a particular direction might be bad luck for an individual. If one's house was located in that direction, such an individual was advised not to go back directly to his house but had to "change direction" (''katatagae''), by going in a different direction and lodging there. Such a person would not dare to go in the forbidden direction, but stayed where they were, even if that resulted in absence from the court, or passing up invitations from influential people.

Famous ''onmyōji'' include Kamo no Yasunori and Abe no Seimei (921–1005). After Seimei's death, the Emperor Ichijō had a shrine erected at his home in Kyoto.Seimei Shrine.
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''Onmyōji'' had political clout during the Heian period, but in later times when the imperial court fell into decline, their state patronage was lost completely. In modern-day Japan ''onmyōji'' are defined as a type of priest, and although there are many who claim to be mediums and spiritualists, the ''onmyōji'' continues to be a hallmark occult figure.

See also

* Chinese alchemy
* Chinese fortune telling
* Chinese influence on Japanese culture
* Dogū
* Haniwa
* Hōko (doll)
* Itako
* Konjin
* Kokkuri
* Ofuda
* Omamori
* Onmyōji
* Omikuji
* Shikigami
* Shugendō
* Tengenjutsu (fortune telling)
* Zuijin

References

Further reading

*
* Kin'ugyokuto-shū (金烏玉兎集/三国相伝陰陽輨轄簠簋内伝金烏玉兎集, "the collection book of the moon and the jade rabbit")
* Senji Ryakketsu (占事略决, "the summary to judgements of divinations") by Abe no Seimei

External links

占事略決
Big5 Chinese) Online text of Senji Ryakketsu.


Online text of Kinugyokutoshū volume 1.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Onmyodo

Divination
Esoteric cosmology
Taoism in Japan
Religion in Japan
Eastern esotericism