Half-human, half-fox. A collection of "otherworldly" anecdotes about the strongest Onmyoji, Abe no Seimei

Abe no Seimei is a treasure trove of anecdotes

In my previous article, I reported on the completion of my new song, but this time I will introduce the surprising anecdotes of Abe no Seimei that lie behind it.

Why has he been passed down through Japanese history as such a "special" existence?

The answer is that every record concerning him is "inhuman."

This time, let's unravel in detail the many legends that also served as the basis for the lyrics.

His mother was the white fox "Kuzunoha"

When talking about Abe no Seimei, the legend regarding his mother is something that cannot be avoided.

In fact, it is said that Seimei's mother was not a human, but a "white fox" living in Shinoda Forest (present-day Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture).

Seimei's father, Abe no Yasuna, saved a white fox that was being chased by hunters.

At that time, a beautiful woman appeared before the injured Yasuna and nursed him back to health.

Her name was "Kuzunoha."

The two eventually became a couple and were blessed with a child named Dojimar (the future Seimei).

However, the happy days did not last long.

When Seimei was young, Kuzunoha accidentally let her family see her true form as a "fox."

Once her true identity was known, she could no longer remain in the human world.

With tears in her eyes, the mother decided to return to Shinoda Forest, leaving behind her beloved child and husband.

The poem she is said to have left written on the shoji screen is still passed down today.

"If you miss me, come and seek me out in the Shinoda Forest of Izumi, where the Kuzunoha leaves grow."
(If you want to see me, please come visit me in Shinoda Forest in Izumi.)

This origin of being "half-human, half-otherworldly" has been believed to be the source of his immense spiritual power.

The power to see through the "demons" lurking in the darkness

After parting with his mother, Seimei began to manifest extraordinary talents, as if in exchange for that sorrow.

One night, when he was walking while accompanying his master, Kamo no Tadayuki.

Seimei, who was still a young child, was the first to sense the appearance of a terrifying "demon" coming from ahead.

He used his innate vision to see through the anomaly in the darkness that even the adults who had undergone training had not noticed.

Because of this incident, his talent was recognized by his master, and Seimei was taught all the mysteries of Onmyodo.

"He didn't work hard because he had talent," but rather, "He was on a different level from the start."

It is truly an episode worthy of the opening of a legend.

The employment of Shikigami

When it comes to Seimei, the existence of "Shikigami" is inseparable.

Shikigami are spirits or demon gods that an Onmyoji employs.

Seimei used these Shikigami in surprising ways.

According to one record, it is said that in Seimei's house, gates would open and close on their own, and cleaning and laundry were done perfectly even though no one was there.

In fact, there is also a story that because Seimei's wife was afraid of the terrifying faces of the Shikigami, he did not let them into the house and instead had them live under the nearby "Ichijo Modoribashi Bridge."

He would call them only when necessary, and have them perform everything from chores to sorcery perfectly.

This overwhelming "sense of mastery" symbolizes his effortless strength.

Crushing a frog with a leaf

At one time, nobles who doubted Seimei's power pressed him.
They presented him with the unreasonable demand, "Use your magic to kill that frog in the garden."

Although Seimei disliked killing, due to their persistent demands, he picked up a blade of grass that was nearby.

He chanted a spell over the leaf and threw it at the frog, and the moment the leaf touched it, the frog was crushed flat and died.

Without touching it directly, he turned a simple blade of grass into a "cursed weapon."

From this anecdote, one can see that the power he possessed easily transcended the laws of physics.

...By the way, the reason I didn't include this episode in the lyrics this time is because I was hesitant to visualize it.

It is an anecdote that cannot be left out when talking about Abe no Seimei, but the image of a frog being crushed is pitiful, and...

Actually, I am very bad with the visuals of frogs...

Sorcery battle with his rival Doman

What makes Seimei's story even more fascinating is the existence of his greatest rival, Ashiya Doman.

Doman was also an Onmyoji with tremendous power, but he was defeated in every direct confrontation with Seimei.

The famous one is the "guessing what is inside the box" contest.

While Doman predicted, "The contents are 15 mandarin oranges," Seimei answered, "They are 15 rats."

When the box was opened, it was supposed to contain mandarin oranges just as Doman had predicted...

However, the next moment, the mandarin oranges changed their form into rats due to Seimei's magic and jumped out of the box.

It was no longer a prediction, but "the power to rewrite reality itself."

This overwhelming difference in stature is the reason why Abe no Seimei is considered the "strongest in history."

The supreme mystery: Taizan Fukun Sai

And the last one I will introduce is the "Taizan Fukun Sai," which even controls the exchange of lives.

This is the greatest secret art of Onmyodo, in which one offers prayers to the god who governs lifespan to save the life of someone who is dying.

At one time, there was a young disciple who volunteered to die in place of a high priest who had fallen ill.

In order to save the disciple's life, Seimei performed this ritual and attempted to rewrite fate.

As a result, it is said that the god listened to Seimei's prayers, and both the master and the disciple had their lives saved.

Even the fate of death can be turned away.

This is the reason why the person known as Abe no Seimei is still passed down with awe even after a thousand years.

A fantasy called history

How was it?

The episodes I introduced this time are all detached from reality.

However, for the people of that time, Abe no Seimei's power was an undeniable "reality."

Learning history is not just about memorizing dates.

I believe it is about re-experiencing what people of that time were surprised by and what they believed in as they lived.

If you remember these anecdotes while listening to the song "Abe no Seimei" this time, you should be able to enjoy its worldview more deeply.

A lonely and strongest Onmyoji who lived between history and fantasy.

His story will continue to be passed down without fading.

Thank you for reading until the end.

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