Exploring the Mysteries of Abe no Seimei

Apr 11, 2024 | News On Japan

KYOTO - Abe no Seimei, a charismatic onmyoji from the Heian period, continues to captivate through novels, manga, and films, though shrouded in mystery.

Possessing the foresight and expertise in curse-crafting, Seimei secured the trust of the era's elites, playing a crucial role in political and ceremonial decisions. However, his life and achievements are laden with unanswered questions. We embarked on an exhaustive investigation of Seimei's remnants in Kyoto, starting with the scenic Arashiyama, known among the informed for its connection to Seimei.

Notably, the Seimei Shrine and Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, alongside the purported grave site at Saga Gobyo, offer glimpses into the mysterious life of Abe no Seimei.

Despite his prominence, much about Seimei's life remains speculative, including his familial lineage and the specifics of his birth. Legends suggest he was born to a fox spirit mother in the wilderness. His birthplace theories vary, with the Seimei Shrine in Osaka claiming an ancient well as his birthwater source.

Further investigation at the Seimei Shrine in Kyoto's Kamigyo Ward reveals more about the genius onmyoji's life, depicting him as a central figure in various myths, including his connections to Sen no Rikyu and the intriguing tale of his tomb.

The shrine, established near Seimei's historical residence, serves as a powerful spiritual site in Kyoto, preserving a rich legacy of legends surrounding Abe no Seimei.

This exploration not only traces Seimei's steps but also intertwines with the life of Sen no Rikyu, another influential figure of the time, offering a unique perspective on their potential interaction.

As we navigate through Kyoto, encountering landmarks like the Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, rumored to have been a site of miraculous rebirth and deeply connected to Seimei's spiritual practices, the enduring influence of Abe no Seimei's legacy on Kyoto's cultural and historical landscape becomes evident.

Exploring the Mysteries of Abe no Seimei

Wikipedia

Typhoon No. 24 Expected to Approach Japan Later This Week

A tropical depression south of Japan is expected to develop into Typhoon No. 24 by September 1 and could approach the Japanese archipelago later in the week, raising the risk of renewed warning-level rainfall and widespread flooding in Hokuriku and heavy rain in the Kanto and Tokai regions.

USJ Eyes First-Ever Park Expansion

Universal Studios Japan is considering its first expansion since opening in 2001, with plans to use about 60,000 square meters of former Nippon Steel factory land adjacent to the park and potentially increase its total area by roughly 10%.

Japan Cuts Speed Limit on Residential Roads to 30 km/h

Japan will lower the statutory speed limit on certain residential roads from 60 kilometers per hour to 30 km/h from September 1, with police in Hyogo Prefecture urging drivers to familiarize themselves with the new rules and drive more carefully in neighborhood areas.

Heatstroke Alert Issued Day After Record Rain Hits Fukui

Residents in Fukui Prefecture began clearing flood-damaged homes early on August 31 as temperatures climbed sharply following record rainfall, prompting authorities to issue a heatstroke alert while recovery work continued in severe heat.

Drones Deliver Supplies to Residents Cut Off by Landslide

Drones were used to deliver food and daily necessities to an isolated mountain community in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, on August 30 after torrential rain triggered a landslide that cut off road access, while volunteers continued flood recovery work in neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Japan's Police Officer Shortage Deepens

Police forces across Japan are struggling to recruit enough officers, with the number of people taking police recruitment examinations falling to less than half the level of a decade ago and concerns growing that persistent staffing shortages could eventually affect public safety.

Fire Breaks Out Near Ise Jingu

A fire broke out at a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on the afternoon of August 31, sending red flames and thick black smoke into the air as firefighters continued battling the blaze with no immediate prospect of bringing it under control.

One in Three Unmarried Young People Plan to Stay Single

About one in three unmarried young people in Japan say they have no intention of marrying, according to the first large-scale survey of young people conducted by the Children and Families Agency, with financial insecurity emerging as the biggest perceived obstacle to marriage.

Eleven Passengers Trapped in Legoland

Eleven passengers were rescued from an attraction at Legoland Japan in Nagoya on August 30 after a door failed to open, leaving them trapped for about 30 minutes, with no injuries or reports of illness.

Smoke at Tokyo Disneyland Restaurant Sparks Evacuation

Guests were evacuated from a restaurant at Tokyo Disneyland on August 30 after smoke emerged from a customer's bag, with police investigating a mobile battery inside the bag as the suspected source.

Three Students Swept Out to Sea in Kagoshima

Three teenage boys who went missing after being swept offshore from the coast of Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima Prefecture, on August 28 were found in the sea near the scene on August 29 and confirmed dead.

Foreign Cyclist Suffers Broken Shoulder in Shiga Hit-and-Run

A foreign man in his 30s suffered serious injuries after being struck by a car while riding a bicycle in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, early on August 29, with police investigating the incident as a hit-and-run.

Bread Dumping Mystery Takes a Twist

A fake video apparently created with generative AI showing a large bear eating piles of sliced bread has spread on social media following a series of illegal bread dumping incidents in Tottori Prefecture, prompting the prefectural government to warn that misinformation could cause economic harm.

< 2 3 4 5 >