History UsefulNotes / Onmyodo

* One of the main party members, Zhuzhen Li, of ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' is well versed in this. As a Taoist sage his magic takes effect by manipulating the primal forces of yin and yang to create all sorts of phenomena, from spontaneously starting fires, to rejuvenating the body, to raising the dead to conjuring storms.

* The "[[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Sealmaster_Meisei Sealmaster Meisei]]" monster in ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'' is an onmyoji.

* Chinnen's stage in ''VideoGame/PowerInstinct Matrimelee'' has onmyoji Yabeno Hikomaro, shrine maiden Kotohime, and three backup monks (referred to only as the Bouzu Dancers) dancing in the background to a surprisingly catchy tune. The song, and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PumFnlu9EIY the unlockable music video for it]], became something of a meme.

Onmyōdō (meaning "the Way of Yin and Yang") is Japanese-style [[FunctionalMagic spell-casting]]. Methods range from Yin/Yang, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godai the Five Elements]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikigami shikigami]], and divination to [=ofuda=] and alchemy. ''Onmyōdō'', like many Real World magical belief systems, is an eclectic blend; while it can be treated as simple ''rule magic'', it also has elements of ''force magic'' and theurgy.

The most famous ''onmyōji'' is [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_no_Seimei Abe no Seimei]], a figure roughly analogous to the Merlin of [[KingArthur Arthurian legend]]. Like Merlin, it is said that he was not entirely human, but the offspring of a nobleman and a female {{Kitsune}} deity. Abe no Seimei is a documented historical personage who lived from about 921 CE to around 1005 CE, the middle of the [[JidaiGeki Heian Period]]. A shrine dedicated to him was built in Kyoto soon after his death, and still exists today. His descendants, the [[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=366 Tsuchimikado]] clan, were responsible for managing the Bureau of Onmyō for most of its existence.

* As of 2017 there is a mobile RPG entitled ''Onmyōji'' developed by NetEase Games.

'''Sub-tropes'''

:'''Shikigami''': Shikigami are spirits called forth to act as servants for the summoner, similar to a {{familiar}} in Western mythology. "Shiki", as they are sometimes known, literally means "equation", "formula" or "style" - a shikigami usually isn't bargained with so much as pulled from the aether and [[FormulaicMagic programmed with instructions]], and [[AIIsACrapshoot a misplaced command or loss of power can cause it to go berserk and turn on its creator]]. In modern representation, shikigami come in three main varieties:

:'''Shikigami''': Shikigami are spirits called forth to act as servants for the summoner, similar to a {{familiar}} in Western mythology. "Shiki", as they are sometimes known, literally means "equation", "formula" or "style" - a shikigami usually isn't bargained with so much as pulled from the aether and [[FormulaicMagic programmed with instructions]], and [[AIIsACrapshoot a misplaced command or drop in power can cause it to go berserk and turn on its creator]]. In modern representation, shikigami come in three main varieties:

:'''Gobosei (pentagram)''':In Japanese culture, this is a symbol of magical power, a diagram of the "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing#Overcoming overcoming cycle]]" of the [[ElementalPowers five Chinese elements]] (Wu Xing). A five-pointed star variant (leaving out the outside pentagon) is known as a ''Seiman'', the personal crest of Abe no Seimei.

:'''[[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]]''':In modern Japanese literature, [=ofuda=] are always rectangles of paper with holy or magical symbols/spells written on them. They may be used to create a protective ward, seal a building, dispel evil influences, or even as a weapon against those of malign intent.

:'''Shikigami''':Shikigami (or sometimes just "shiki") are spirits called forth to act as servants for the summoner, similar to a {{familiar}} in Western mythology. In modern representation, shikigami come in two main varieties:
** A paper doll [[EyeOfNewt used as a focus]] to generate a [[MadeOfMagic magical construct]] shaped like a living creature, with varying levels of realism, power and intelligence depending on the amount of skill and/or magical energy used in its creation. The doll itself is left behind if the shikigami is dispelled.
** A pre-existing creature (usually an animal or a low-level {{Youkai}}) into which a shikigami spirit is summoned to grant it enhanced power and intelligence. More powerful servants are harder to control; Abe no Seimei's use of [[{{Youkai}} oni]] shikigami was a mark of his great skill.

* Player character Sayo-chan/Pocky from the ''VideoGamePockyAndRocky'' series uses ''[=ofuda=]'' as ranged weapons.

* Player character Sayo-chan / Pocky from the ''VideoGame/KikiKaiKai'' / ''Pocky & Rocky'' series uses ''[=ofuda=]'' as ranged weapons.

'''Onmyōdō''' (meaning "the Way of Yin and Yang") is Japanese-style [[FunctionalMagic spell-casting]]. Methods range from Yin/Yang, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godai the Five Elements]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikigami shikigami]], and divination to [=ofuda=] and alchemy. ''Onmyōdō'', like many Real World magical belief systems, is an eclectic blend; while it can be treated as simple ''rule magic'', it also has elements of ''force magic'' and theurgy.

* Several characters, including Abe no Seimei, [[GenderFlip her]] rival Ashiga Doman and his disciples from ''{{Kuon}}'' are identified as onmyouji and can use various kinds of magic.
* Some of this makes appearances in ''{{Okami}}''; notably, ''[=ofuda=]'' "prayer slips" are used by Rao in the Ghost Ship to dispel powerful curses and destroy ghosts.

* Kanetsugu Naoe uses onmyodo in ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors''. His [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]] shoot FrickinLaserBeams.

* In ''VideoGame/Disgaea4APromiseUnforgotten'', Onmyo Monk is an unlockable class.

* Ashiya Mutsuki from ''Manga/DontenNiWarau'' is a practicing onmyoji, complete with shikigami, paper dolls and various techniques. It's a family tradition, and his ancestor Ashiya Mangetsu is shown to have been formidable as well. Descendants of Abe no Seimei also seem to still be practicing onmyodo, and employ the gobosei (pentagram) as their family crest, but the only important character of that line, Abe no Sosei, has chosen the sword instead.

* [[LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero Saito Hiraga]] is a practitioner of this in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10090792/1/Zero-no-Tsukaima-Saito-the-Onmyoji Zero no Tsukaima: Saito the Onmyoji]]''.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' includes a Job called Onmyoji (translated as "Oracle" for the English release of the game).

'''Onmyōdō''' (meaning "the Way of Yin and Yang") is Japanese-style [[FunctionalMagic spell-casting]]. Methods range from Yin/Yang, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godai the Five Elements]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikigami shikigami]], and divination to [=ofuda=] and alchemy. ''Onmyōdō'', like many RealWorld magical belief systems, is an eclectic blend; while it can be treated as simple ''rule magic'', it also has elements of ''force magic'' and theurgy.

Onmyōdō (meaning "The Way of Yin and Yang") is Japanese-style [[FunctionalMagic spell-casting]]. Methods range from Yin/Yang, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godai the Five Elements]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikigami shikigami]], and divination to [=ofuda=] and alchemy. ''Onmyōdō'' is a very eclectic blend; while it can be treated as simply ''Rule Magic'', it also has elements of ''Force Magic'' and ''Theurgy''.

Over the centuries, the various arts and practices of ''onmyōdō'' gradually became absorbed into UsefulNotes/{{Shinto}} and [[UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} Buddhist]] tradition, and also into the disciplines of the ''Shugenja'', and other ascetic groups. Thus, in many anime and manga works, {{miko}} (shrine maidens) are shown as knowing how to summon and control ''shikigami''.

* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'' features the "Sage" class being reclassed as "Onmyoji", which is a potential promotion for Diviners, Shrine Maidens, and their SpearCounterpart monks. While the Nohr magic tends to be about the elements and takes the form of books, Hoshidan magic are paper fans (Scrolls, actually) and summon Shikigami from the chinese zodiac to attack. The Shikigami were translated as "Spirits" for the English release. Izana, the Archduke of the Principality of Izumo is one such Onmyoji - who is seen using Divination during the story.

* The ''AnimaBeyondFantasy'' sourcebook ''Arcana Exxet'' features several alternate theories of magic, allowing for alternate means of spellcasting. Among such options as Shamanism and Voudon, being an Onmyoji is an option. They create Ofuda in order to store their spells in advance, which allows for faster spellcasting that usual.

* LightNovel/TokyoRavens has the majority of magic practitioners be onmyouji due to the system being reestablished to fight in WWII.

* Kanetsugu Naoe uses onmyodo in ''SamuraiWarriors''. His [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]] shoot FrickinLaserBeams.