Eno & Reigakusya with Peter Schwalm – Music for Onmyoji

Eno, Brian and Reigakusya with Peter Schwalm – Music for Onmyoji (ltd.ed)

Strictly limited edition in special package, a unique collaboration of ambient music and Japanese traditional court music, inspired by Reiko Okano and Baku Yumemakura’s comic/novel “On-myo-ji”

This piece of Art / Music is a journey back in time. Japanese traditional music is mixed with the five elements and thou i don’t understand what they are chanting i feel like I’m listening to and ancient Japanese tale.

This is an amazing experience I wish everyone could hear it, especially those who are interested in Japanese and asian culture. The picture to the left is both the art and the album cover, it’s a piece of art itself. in fold-out silver digipak sleeve with a hologram picture, wrapped in clear plastic cover.

  ONMYOJI: A practitioner and/or master of “Onmyodo,” the craft which uses the Yin and Yang principle to interpret between natural and unnatural phenomena and astrological occurrences to foresee the fortunes of humans. One of the primary duties of the Onmyoji involved using his occult powers to serve and protect the Heian Emperor, the royal families, and the kingdom from malevolent spirits and demons.

Other terms comparable to Onmyoji are: exorcist, supernatural protector, Yin and Yang master, soothsayer, mage, mystic, shaman, wizard, sorcerer, magician, and even necromancer. HEIAN PERIOD: The Heian period (794-1185 AD) is a significant era of medieval Japan known for the presence of an aristocratic ruling class and a culture of refined lifestyles, whereby language, literature, music, other fine arts and crafts developed and flourished. It was during this period of luxury and grandeur that the famous Japanese literature, “The Tale of Genji,” considered the world’s first romance novel, was authored by a female aristocrat.

The Heian period embodied peace, an elegant society and great prosperity, however, many years later, the absence of a single, unifying administration to rule all of Japan would eventually plunge the country into a long-term civil war between hundreds of feudal lords, all vying for power, glory and territory. THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF YIN AND YANG: This is a philosophy, which explains the existence of all things by combining the five natural elements with the basic principle of Yin and Yang.

The two spirits of Yin and Yang gave birth to the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. ABE NO SEIMEI: He is the most recognized Onmyodo master among the imperial order of the Onmyoji serving the Heian Emperor. Although Seimei is officially sponsored by the ruling family, the Fujiwara clan, he does not reside at the royal palace, but lives on his own private estate. Aside from his highly regarded mystical and medicinal skills, little is known about the enigmatic Seimei.  

He has been described by both men and women as beautiful, aloof, carefree, and not seemingly human, perhaps due to the popular folklore belief that his mother was a kitsune (a magical white fox creature that could impersonate a human being). As with other Onmyoji, Seimei dons a special head ware and robe that signifies his specialty and high rank within society.  

He is often the target of jealousy among other Onmyoji (in particular, his rival, Doson) and avoids becoming involved with their political powerplays. (Historical footnote:  Seimei was an actual real-life person and Onmyoji who lived in the capital city, Kyoto, from 921-1005 AD during the Heian period.) HIROMASA: Full name:  Minamoto no Hiromasa. A court noble and swordsman serving the Heian emperor, Hiromasa befriends Seimei and enlists his aid.  

Hiromasa is attracted to the princess, Sukehime, and is quite fond of playing his fue (wooden flute) during nightfall.DOSON: Doson is the court? elite Onmyoji. With his sights set on higher, sinister ambitions, Doson surreptitiously uses his occult skills to manipulate humans and the demons of the netherworld to do his bidding. Beneath his calm and calculating demeanor, Doson seethes with jealousy over his rival, Seimei and resentment over the Mikado (emperor).FUE: A wooden flute used by all classes of people, from the commoner to the imperial soldier.   Even Onmyoji have found that the fue could be used as a tool to calm and appease demons, through its soothing melodies. HITOGATA: A small straw doll or a human-shaped effigy.  

The hitogata could be used as a tool by humans, spirits or demons to inflict harm on an individual. The concept is similar to that of a voodoo doll, whereby a psychic spell or a curse is channeled through the hitogata to affect the targeted person. KARASUBOUSHI: An ornamental cloth head gear of varying heights, shapes and designs worn by imperial court officials, advisors and other male members of nobility and rank serving the Heian emperor.   It was considered embarrassing to be seen without the karasuboushi on one’s head and the wearer would only remove it from his head when he was in complete privacy.

It was not uncommon to even retire to sleep with the karasuboushi still on. OFUDA: A paper seal, card, tag or scroll used by Onmyoji and monks to enact a magic spell for attack or protection purposes. Ofuda may sometimes have word characters written or symbols drawn onto them with a writing brush.  Depending on the user’s skill, ofuda can even be temporarily transformed into a living thing or an inanimate object.MIKADO: The term for emperor, majesty, his highness, etc. MONONOKE: A general term for evil spirits, ghosts, monsters or demons.

Demons were also referred to as “Yokai.” Vengeful spirits were known as “Onryo.”   In addition to causing panic, pestilence and death, malicious apparitions and demons were believed to be capable of possessing the mind and body of unsuspecting human beings or even creating an alternate body. Onmyoji were heavily relied upon to perform incantations and other arcane rites to either control or vanquish the mononoke.