#Zen Nurarihyon no Mago

[theotakulifechoseme]

Sorry this took so long~ Pls enjoy

-Mama Nidiot

-- -- --

Zen couldn't remember how he managed to find himself in his current situation, his face flush as he felt [Name]'s soft lips on his neck, her delicate fingers tugging his kimono off his shoulders as she kissed downward. He's just going to blame Karasu Tengu for mentioning heirs the other night, which led to a situation dealing with a heavily intoxicated Third Commander.

For some reason, the idea of having children of his own that would follow the next heir of the Nura Clan stirred something inside him, which led to the situation with [Name], a red maneki neko that worked alongside Ryota-Neko at the Bakenekoya as one of the most popular servers. She had healing abilities and would treat Zen at times for a little extra, which led to the two getting well acquainted with each other.

"H-Hey, [Name], slow down, will ya?" he asked, his voice hoarse as he felt sweat bead on his brow as he looked down, seeing her tail sway and ears twitch as she dragged the flat of her tongue over his chest. She pulled back, lips curling as she crawled over him and placed a kiss along his jaw.

"But Lord Zen~ ♥ isn't this what you wanted~?" she sang, tugging his obi loose and allowing it to pool under him as he laid bare in just a fundoshi. Purring, [Name] pawed at his growing hardness, her [color] hair tickling his bare flesh. "You look so delectable, my Lord~♥ I could just gobble you up~♥"

Zen's crimson eyes widen as heat consumed his face, his breathing coming out in heavy pants as he fisted the futon he was sprawled out on. [Name] hummed, leaning back and untying her obi slowly, her loose kimono falling open and baring herself to him. Zen swallowed, hands trembling as he reached up and cupped her hips, his calloused fingers easily sinking into her plush flesh.

"Mrrow~ If you keep staring at me like that, Lord Zen, I might faint~" she whined playfully, her pubic mound grinding against his leaking member.

He hissed, grip tightening on her hips as he trusted up against her, watching as [Name] whined lewdly, tongue licking at her plush lips. "Stop teasing me, you naughty kitty!" Zen grunted lowly, lips pulled back into a snarl as he felt her wetness soaking the fabric of his fundoshi. Her nipples puckered into hardened peaks as the cool air kissed her flesh, his left hand coming up to cup her breast and play with her peaking nipple.

[Name] mewled loudly, her own hand covering his over her breast. Her other hand reached down, claws sharp as she shredded the fabric of his fundoshi, his hardness springing up, pre-cum leaking from the tip and smearing across the soft patch of hair. "Lord Zen~ Your cream is leaking~ We can't let it go to waste~" [Name] purred, hips lifting and hovering over his arousal.

"D-Dammit, [Name]!" Zen tightened his grip, her flesh peeking out from between his fingers as he dragged her down on top of him, his cock easily sinking into her willing body. "Fuck, [Name]. You're so wet..." Zen groan, eyes fluttering shut as he pinched her nipple, making the maneki neko purr in pleasure.

[Name] leaned forward, sliding up along his length as she gently blew against his ear, making the poisonous bird yokai shiver as his hips jerked, thrusting back into her warmth. "Oh~ Lord Zen, please feed this naughty kitty all of your cream~" she giggled, hips swirling against his own. "I'll give you all the kittens you want, my Lord~ My heat just started today, after all," [Name] informed him, sounding smug as she went back to kissing his neck.

Zen moaned, arching as his hands grabbed her ass, his cock throbbing. "Don't you mean to say chicks, [Name]?" he asked hoarsely, digging his heels into the futon as he trusted up into her, his thumbs brushing against the base of her twitching tail.

[Name] mewled happily, pressing back against his thrusts, a single hand sliding between them as her fingers grazed over her fluffy muff, and found her throbbing clit and rubbed it in tight circles. "I'll birth you anything you want, my Lord Zen~ Just please give me your cream!" she whined pitifully, feeling her walls fluttering around his cock.

Zen chuckled, chest heaving with each breath as his balls tightened, feeling close to tipping. "Keep talking like that, and I'll give you all the cream you want." He panted breathlessly, hips rotating as he flipped them over, his face and chest flushed as he cupped the back of her knees and held her open.

[Name] shivered, lips parted, her sharp fangs on full display as she continued to play with her clit. Her kimono was dirtied with their juices spilling on it as it got caught under her. "J-J-Just a little more~" she stuttered, vision hazy with unshed tears.

Zen groaned at the sight, letting one of her legs fall from his grasp as he cupped the back of her neck, his thumb seeking out her rapid pulse that throbbed in her throat. "You must play with your kitty often, [Name], with how skilled you are with touching your clit," he teased, bending down and thrusting hard into her. She whined loudly, back arching as he kissed her, his tongue forcing itself into her mouth and tangling with hers.

[Name]'s fingers pressed down hard on her clit, toes curling as she reached up to fist Zen's hair, holding him close as her inner walls clamped down on his cock. The knots in her belly finally came undone, causing her eyes to roll back as she came hard, her orgasm squirting all over them and making such a mess. "Lord Zen!" she shouted loudly, pulling from his aggressive kiss.

"[Name]!" The Nura Clan executive growled like a wild beast, hips pressed flush against her own as the tightness in his balls became too much, his cum flooding deep into her womb. The build-up of cum was too much, overflowing and leaking out and onto their kimonos that were spread over the futon. Zen panted, arms trembling as he fell forward, nuzzling his face into his favorite kitten's neck.

Both of them panted heavily, bodies trembling from their intense climax as [Name] cradled Zen's body with her own, her womb so full of his milky cream. She used her osore, making him relax more into her hold as she wrapped her legs around his hips, keeping him pressed flush to her. "Mm~ If you feed my kitty with that much cream again, I just might become heavy with your child~" she purred lowly, rubbing his shoulders.

"Let me catch my breath at least, you naughty kitten, then I'll feed you as much of my cream as you want." Zen huffed out, chuckling as he pinched her backside.

[dawnrider]

Oh haaaay, it's Friday! That means it's time for a #FuckitFriday post! 🎉

This is an angsty piece I started for the Nurarihyon no Mago universe. Post canon.

I'm calling it The Last Layer

It had been some time since he’d been to the main house. There hadn’t been a meeting of the other clan leaders for a long while. Rikuo had been clear though, that it was important for all of them to be there. “He’s ready,” was all he’d said over the phone, and that was enough. Shoei had immediately grabbed his haori, emblazoned with the Nura clan insignia, and headed out the door.

Now well into their twenties, the younger generation had been watching the older ones retire, or disappear. Not every youkai went out in a blaze of glory, much as they wished they would. Shoei was glad, in a way, for his father going down while fighting, though he missed him every day. Today especially though… the ache hurt more.

“Shoei. Thank you for coming,” Kana greeted him at the door. He could tell by the look on her face that it had been strained in the house for some time now, but that she’d been keeping up her smile just like her mother in law always had. Lady Wakana was at the shoji, an equally pale smile on her lips.

“Rikuo’s with him already. He’ll know you’re here.”

With a nod, he dipped his head in a bow of thanks, then ducked a little further to enter the room. He’d always been tall, not quite able to crouch the way his father had, and it made him stick out. Not here though. Here in a room full of others ranging from human-appearing to monstrous. They were all family to him.

Without a word, he knelt into the spot left open to the right of his oldest friend. “Brother,” he murmured, his knuckles brushing the worn floorboards to rest beside Rikuo’s for just a moment. A soft bump of shoulders acknowledged his presence.

“He will be glad you’re here.”

A wheeze met his ears and he winced. 

They had known this day would come. It was inevitable. But that didn’t make it any easier to accept. He’d held on far longer than anyone could have anticipated. “Borrowed time,” he’d said. “Borrowed that I’ll have to give back.” They had shrugged it off for years, but now that it came time, Shoei knew that he meant what he said. That not even Rikuo knew the depth of those words. The one final show of allegiance and brotherhood that Zen would make.

[ao3feed-izuku-midoriya]

Diffusion (Mist in Wind, Ink in Water)

Diffusion (Mist in Wind, Ink in Water) by Roses Bloom In Greenland

The age of youkai has long since passed.

In the Era of Quirks, no one believes in youkai anymore. But that doesn't mean they aren't there. The ancient and powerful Nura Clan, headed by the Sandaime, Nura Rikuo, only a quarter youkai but still incredibly powerful, still stands as a bastion of youkai prowess, protecting youkai and humans alike.

But there are whispers about the old shadow master of the underground coming back once more. Whispers that send Nura Rikuo off to UA undercover as a student. As a human. As a teenager.

Can he protect his classmates without revealing his secrets? Or will the youkai world be doomed to be exposed to the human world?

Words: 4913, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga), Nurarihyon no Mago | Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: Gen

Characters: Nura Rikuo, Midoriya Izuku, Class 1-A, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead, Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Sensei | All For One, Gyuuki (Nurarihyon no Mago), Oikawa Tsurara, League of Villains, Shigaraki Tomura | Shimura Tenko, Dabi | Todoroki Touya, Kubinashi (Nurarihyon no Mago), Kejourou (Nurarihyon no Mago), Aotabou (Nurarihyon no Mago), Kurotabou (Nurarihyon no Mago), Zen (Nurarihyon no Mago), Night Rikuo

Relationships: Nura Rikuo & Nura Clan, Nura Rikuo & Oikawa Tsurara, Nura Rikuo & Midoriya Izuku, Nura Rikuo & Yagi Toshinori, Nura Rikuo & Class 1-A, Nura Rikuo & Aizawa Shouta, Nura Rikuo & Yamada Hizashi, Kubinashi & Kejourou, Aotabou & Kurotabou, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead & Yamada Hizashi | Present Mic, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead & Midoriya Izuku, Midoriya Izuku & Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead & Class 1-A, Iida Tenya & Midoriya Izuku & Uraraka Ochako, Midoriya Izuku & Todoroki Shouto, Class 1-A & Midoriya Izuku, Bakugou Katsuki & Kirishima Eijirou

Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Secret Identity, Secret Identity Fail, Parental Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead | Dadzawa, dadmight, Parental Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Parental Yamada Hizashi | Present Mic, Aldera Middle School Bashing, in the background, Post-Canon, for Nurarihyon no Mago, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, when my brain is working, Attempting to be Human, Undercover, No Beta We Die Like Nura Rihan, Sorta OP Nura Rikuo

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46214980

[mer-birdman]

So @quilleth tagged me to list 10 of my favorite characters from 10 different fandoms… and I guess maybe tag people? Let’s see…

Zen from Nurarihyon no Mago (eng localization Nura: Rise of the Yōkai Clan)*

Grimsley from Pokémon B/W**

Sakura Kinomoto from Cardcaptor Sakura

Lirael from the Old Kingdom series

Ulquiorra from Bleach***

Caleb Widogast from Critical Role Campaign 2: the Mighty Nein

Xerxes Break from Pandora Hearts

Yellow from the Pokémon Special manga (eng localization Pokémon Adventures)

Satsuki from My Neighbor Totoro

Jemima from Cats: the Musical

*Gonna be honest, I could probably list half the cast here, I have spent SO MUCH TIME brainrotting about these characters…

**Listen I just think he’s neat

***One of the Heritage Blorbos, from the Teen Years… yeah no he still has bewitched me let’s be real

Uh… yeah this is a weird cross-section of interests! Not really presented in any particular order. Just train of thought (and train of trying not to list ten popular anime boys, because I really don’t want to invite That Kind Of Judgement).

Tagging whoever wants to do this? But also specifically I’m gonna attack @kinetic-empathy @bibliomatsuri and @sunneinsplendor just because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[thecrazyanimegirl]

[johannepetereric]

This looks so nice!

[hijikatalove]

SugitaTomokazu Happybirthday❤❤❤

2020.10月11日

[evysanimescreenshots]

cant even try to pray in peace without the devil sending minions after ur ass

that’s not really what’s happening here but still. in any case i still cant explain why i have a thing for adorable grumpy pricks like this guy

[branto]

[shell-senji]

Embracing Fear, Chapter 23

In which Rikuo has a case of the Mondays (and Kagome too, to be fair).

You can read this chapter either on AO3 or FFnet

Tagging:  @impracticaldemon @hakuyamazakisensei @eheartangel @kondo-hijikata @sabinasanfanfic @miss-zei @katiaos3173 (as always, let me know if you’d like to be added to the list or removed!)

[ryuukenden4]

A little sketch I did last night. I am very into Nura Rise of the Yokai Clan if you can't tell. I think this is the first piece of art I am uploading to Tumblr too~! I will try to put some more up...anything I am proud of anyway.

By the way, Kitsuneko is my fan character if you were confused. I may put a bio up for her sometime, as I am very proud of her design and personality. 😋

I used this base (but cut out a character), so thank you to the person that made it!

I had to contribute something to this dying fandom~ lol

I hope you like my art! Please do not reupload it anywhere without my permission. You can definitely reblog it though! 😉 Thank you!

~Ryuu

[onceabluemoonwrites]

Nurarihyon just keeps making me think of rare pairs. Not very hard since there aren’t that many fics, but there are so many people who could have some very good chemistry! 

Seriously. I love RikuoKana, but KanaZen is fascinating! KiyotsuguTsurara suddenly came into being while writing a ‘’wish you would write’’ ask for the meme for @metronomeihear , who has TAKEN REVENGE by giving me one back with SetsuraYamabuki. ALL THE BEAUTIFUL SHIPS. 

[blacksunradiance]

Nurarihyon no Mago Character CD Series #1: <Special Drama>Killing Every Zen in the World (三千世界の鴆を殺し, Senzensekai no Zen o koroshi) 

Summary:This time Zen has fallen ill, but what can Rikuo do to help?

Translation was done by a member of the now defunct NuraMago mangafox forums, but I believe they are the same pika318 over on mangahelpers.

EDIT: Translation was done by x0401x!

Translation below.

Rikuo: Eh?! Zen-kun has fallen ill?! Tsurara: Yes... there was a sudden worsening in his state... Rikuo: That means... his health is even worse now?? Tsurara: Zen-sama already had a weak body, but it seems this time... Rikuo: Let’s go! Tsurara: Eh? Rikuo: To where Zen-kun is! When I caught a cold, Zen-kun rushed to take care of me! This time, I have to do something in return! Tsurara: Eh, does that mean... taking revenge? Ah, no... I know you don’t want to offend Zen-sama, so Waka can’t be possibly... Rikuo: *breaks into run* Tsurara: Ah! Please wait, Wakaaa~! ~ Tsurara: *opens door* Excuse us, Zen-sama. *closes door* Rikuo: Zen-kun, you okay? It’s Rikuo. Zen: *vomits blood* Rikuo: *gasps* Zen-kun?! *runs over* Tsurara: *gasps* This is terrible...! Ah, if we don’t call someone quickly– Rikuo: Ah! Tsurara, please! Tsurara: Yes!! *leaves* Rikuo: Zen-kun, hang on! ZEN-KUN! Zen: *pants* Hm? What? Isn’t it Rikuo? Rikuo: “What” my ass! Mou, you scared me! Zen: My bad... Rikuo: You really scared me. If Zen-kun continues like this... Zen: “Like this”...? Rikuo: Oh? Ah...! Hm-hm! It was nothing! Zen: I know what you wanted to say, Rikuo. Rikuo: Zen-kun... Zen: In fact, it’s just like that... because I’m from a clan of people with weak bodies. Oyaji and Jii-san also couldn’t live for very long. Rikuo: That... Zen: I, too, will soon... Rikuo: What are you saying?! It’s not like that! Zen: Say, Rikuo... Rikuo: ...What? Zen: Isn’t there... anything troubling you? Rikuo: Eh? Zen: Are the clan’s youkai doing well? They haven’t been doing anything tricky, right? Rikuo: Ah... hm... I think they’re okay... Zen: Then... on the human side, are there no issues? Rikuo: “Human side”? Zen: You, who have both youkai and human blood... have to face lots of hardships in the human world as well. But, don’t worry... because I’ll always... be your ally. Rikuo: No, hum... I’m fine. Right now, worry about your own body– Zen: *coughs* Rikuo: Ah! Zen-kun! Zen: *vomits blood* Rikuo: Stay strong, Zen-kun!! ZEN-KUN! Zen’s thoughts: My bad, Rikuo... I know the most important to me should be my own body. However... however, you see... at least until you formally become the third... and gather your own Hyakki Yakou... even if it’s impossible, at least... at least, becoming your strength... would be...  ~ Rikuo: *sighs* Zen-kun... will he be fine...? Tsurara: *opens door* Uh? Waka~! You were in this kind of place? Rikuo: Ah... Tsurara. Tsurara: Were you thinking... about Zen-sama? Rikuo: Hm... it’d have been better if I had stayed by Zen-kun’s side back then after all... Tsurara: About that, Zen-sama can take care of himself. Right now, the best is for him to rest. Rikuo: Is that so? That’s it, ne? Tsurara: It’s okay~! Zen-sama will surely be fine~! Rikuo: Tsurara... thank you. Tsurara: Don’t worry too much and stay up late, ne? If Waka falls ill too, Zen-sama won’t be able to rest properly. Rikuo: Ah... *sighs* Sorry... Tsurara: Then, excuse me, Waka. Rikuo: Hm. Good night, Tsurara. Tsurara: *closes door* Rikuo: *sighs* Zen-kun... will surely be fine, ne? Surely... Tsurara: *comes running* Rikuo: Aaah?! Tsurara: Wa-Waka!! Rikuo: W-what is it?? Coming back so suddenly, you scared me– Tsurara: It’s terrible! Enemy youkai have gone rampage in Nura clan territory! Moreover, it seems Zen-sama has headed there! Rikuo: *gasps* Zen-kun has?! ~ Zen: *panting* How’s that, my poisonous feathers? You, lowly youkai, are nothing against– *vomits blood* Shit... I’m feeling dizzy... I’m pitiful... to this degree... Rikuo: *comes running* ZEN-KUUUN! *panting* Zen: Rikuo... Rikuo: What are you doing, Zen-kun?? You were supposed to rest!! Zen: It’s obvious. I can’t just leave alone... those bastards who try to cause a ruckus on Nura clan territory. Rikuo: There’s no need for Zen-kun to fight because of that! If anything happens– Zen: I don’t care! Rikuo: Eh? Zen: If my life can stand for the clan... and you... that is... Rikuo: *gasps* What are you saying?? Zen: Rikuo... y’know, I’m... I’m... scared. Rikuo: Eh...? Zen: Of dying... like this... before being able to become your strength, that is. Rikuo: That... something like that...! Zen: In the future, you, as Nura clan’s third... won’t be able to help but walk a steep path. Still... probably, when this time comes, I won’t be here. There’s... nothing tougher... than not being able to stand as your Gikyoudai. (T/N: sworn sibling) Rikuo: Zen-kun... Zen: That’s why, at least... while I’m still alive... I want to become your strength. Until I’ve completely worn this life out. Rikuo: *gasps* Zen: Let me do it, Rikuo. There are still enemies out there. I will... I will... *coughs* wipe out... all of them...!! *inhales sharply* Transforming Rikuo: Is that so? I understand... your feelings perfectly. Zen: *gasps* You... in night form... Rikuo: I totally get it, Zen... what you’ve been thinking, that is. Zen: Then, let me do it! If I just keep sitting quietly like this, I will– Rikuo: I won’t let you. *draws sword* Zen: *gasps* What... are you...? Rikuo: I totally get your feelings. If you really want to die... if you really don’t need your life... I will, right now, take it from you. Zen: *gasps* Rikuo: It’ll be quick. Just one cut from this katana... and it’s the end. Zen: What... are you...?! Rikuo: You want to die, right? Then... I’m telling you I will fulfill this wish. Zen: W-wrong...! I, for your sake– Rikuo: There’s nothing wrong! No matter where I cut you... if you die, it’s the end. Zen: Rikuo... Rikuo: Don’t say these idiocies about fighting the enemies and such. I will... kill you. [wind sounds] Zen: *starts laughing* Rikuo: What’s so funny? Zen: Nah... I’m just glad... that you’d do that much for a wanna-die like me. Nura clan’s third, personally ending my life... there’s nothing happier than that. Thank you, sibling. I’m relieved... to be able to die in your arms. Rikuo: Is that so? Zen: It is. Do it. Rikuo: Yeah. [wind sounds] Rikuo: Let’s go, Zen. Zen: Yeah...! Rikuo: Hooo!! Zen: Rikuo... oi, Rikuo! What’s the meaning of this...? Why won’t you cut me? Won’t you kill me?! Oi!! Rikuo: I’ll kill you. Zen: Then, why...?! Rikuo: I’ll be the one to kill you. That’s why, until then... live. Zen: *gasps*  Rikuo: Until the time to kill you comes, live. Keep living. This is an order. Zen: Rikuo... Tsurara: *comes running* Waka~~~! Have you found then Zen-sam—eh? Waka?? Why are you in night form? Rikuo: Tsurara, walk Zen to the household. Tsurara: Ah, what about Waka? Rikuo: Zen left some things unfinished, so I’ll do it for him. Tsurara: Understood. Zen-sama, this way. Zen: *gets up* Kh...! Tsurara: *gasps* What a horrible wound...! Rikuo: Don’t worry. Zen won’t die... because I ordered him not to.  Tsurara: Uh?? Zen: Yeah... just as Rikuo says... Rikuo: Hm. We have no time for needless talk! Go. Tsurara: Ah! Waka...! Do your best, ne, Waka~~~! Zen’s thoughts: Rikuo... I’ll live... that’s my promise... with you...! ~ Rikuo: Ah! You’re awake, Zen-kun? Zen: Rikuo... this is...? Rikuo: Nura clan’s household. Last night, Tsurara brought you here. Zen: Is that so...? I caused trouble, huh... Rikuo: No way. I’m happy just by the fact that Zen-kun is fine. I’m really glad! Zen: *laughs* Rikuo: Eh? Have I... said anything funny? Zen: Nah, you see... your day self and your night self are very different. Rikuo: Ah... *laughs nervously* that’s... stop it...! Zen: What are you embarrassed about? Ora, ora! *pokes* Rikuo: Ah, wai—don’t poke me, Zen-kun! Zen: Ora, don’t run away. Let’s play a bit mor—ugh?! *starts vomiting blood*  Rikuo: Ah?? Zen-kun! That’s why you shouldn’t overdo it! Ah! TS-TSURARA!! CALL SOMEONE! SOMEONEEE!! Zen-kun! Ah! Aaah! He’s fain... he’s fainting!! Zen-kun?! Zen’s thoughts: *laughs* Really... your day self and your night self don’t change... in kindness, that is. Rikuo: ZEN-KUN, HANG OOON~!

[orihara-infobroker]

Omnyodo and Onmyoji

Japan has a unique and diverse mythology that draws from different sources and it's quite fascinating to look at. This is a stream-lined rundown on how Onmyodo came to be.

Shinto is inherently Japanese, an animistic/shamanistic religion based on the concept that there are spirits everywhere. They call their gods "The Eight Million Kami" because to them there is an unknowable number of potential kami in the world. Shinto is both widespread and also localized. Local shrines may be dedicated to kami known only to that region, while some kami are known and revered across the country. Kami are neither wholly good nor evil, possessing the characteristics of both and inherently connected to nature, to the living and dying world. They are often looked at as beings humans should aspire to be, existing in harmony with the world. They are hidden from the mortal world, existing in their own spirit world that is a mirror to ours, separate yet connected. Shinto is led by priests, those whose role is to be an intermediary between spirit and material.

Buddhism was brought to Japan from China. A religion that deals in reincarnation and dharmic balance, it urges humanity to strive for purity, a wholly pure and good existence by which one might eventually achieve enlightenment and become a bodhisattva. Buddhism has distinct places that are equivalent to heaven and hell, and how you live your life reflects how you will be reincarnated. You may be reincarnated on earth, as any living being, or you may ascend to heaven, or descend to hell. There are a great many sects of Buddhism and it can be quite complicated to navigate. I've only a cursory understanding of it as it isn't my religion and I am not drawn to ascetic lifestyles. Buddhism does not have priests. Buddhism is a path you dedicate your life to and so they have monks. 

There is a saying in Japan: "Married Shinto, buried Buddhist." This is the reflection of these religions. Shinto is about life, Buddhism is about death. 

Onmyodo is not a religion. It is an occult practice that mixes the elements of a variety of mystical practices. An onmyoji is an occultist, not a priest or a monk. And Onmyodo primarily roots itself in the practice of Taoism, another Chinese influence on Japan. 

Taoism is, similarly to Shinto, a way of living harmoniously in the world. It's quite old and quite complicated, having a very long time to grow and change. The important parts here are that Taoism uses cosmology to determine the best path for humans - fortune-telling, feng shui and horoscopes - and it holds up an elemental balance using five elements - earth, water, fire, wood, and metal.

These are important because the roots of Omyodo lie in the practices of fortune-telling, reading the stars, and using the elemental energies. But they also lean into Shinto's native animism, involving spirit magic in the mix. So not only do Onmyoji tell fortunes and read the stars, but they can also summon or banish spirits. 

A side note here: while it is possible for Priests to exorcise spirits, it is not usually within their realm of ability to summon them. They can call upon the kami of their shrine but they cannot bend one to their will.

Onmyoji, on the other hand, were known for their ability to call on the spirits, often forming contracts with them. These are most often referred to as shikigami. The most common tools that Onbmyoji use are the five-pointed star symbolizing the balance of the five elements, combined with the ofuda, Japanese talismans commonly seen in Shinto, though the ones used by Onmyoji often used constellations rather than invocations of the kami. They also used hand mudra - taken from Buddhist influences - called the Kuji-in/Kuji-kiri. There were nine syllables to the mudra the Onmyoji used:

Rin (臨) - The strength of mind and body

Kyō (兵) - Direction of energy

Tō (闘) - Harmony with the universe

Sha (者) - Healing yourself or others

Kai (皆)- Premonition of danger

Jin (陣) - Reading the thoughts of others

Retsu (列) - Mastery of Time and Space

Zai (在) - Control over the elements of Nature

Zen (前) - Lighting and speed

Onmyodo was very popular in the Heian era but really reached its height with Abe no Seimei who was said to be particularly skilled and charismatic. The Tsuchimikado clan, whom he is either attributed to being the head of, continued his legacy, keeping close ties with the Emperors for centuries until 1868 when Onmyodo was outlawed and the Tsuchimikado clan was disowned by the Court.

So this is a very truncated version. It’s a centuries-old practice that mixes together other centuries-old practices to create something unique but information on it is not as accurate or available as on the practices that it stole from because of it being outlawed. The Tsuchimikado clan had actually developed a rigid curriculum of sorts with which to teach the practice but much of that was effectively lost or fragmented. I find it quite fascinating, especially where it overlaps and where it goes in its own direction. There are quite a few animes that incorporate onmyodo elements or characters:

Tokyo Babylon

Tokyo Ravens

Yami no Matsuei

Nurarihyon no Mago

A Certain Magical Index

Shaman King

Shounen Onmyoji

Natsume’s Book of Friends

Twin  Star Exorcists

Ao no Exorcist

And really, most anime that get into yokai also tend to touch on onmyoji. The Onmyoji mobile game is getting an anime in 2020:

So yeah, fun and excitement. I’m going to eventually follow up this post with some related thoughts on how I headcanon this working in the Harry Potter-verse because I’ve been a bit preoccupied with the thought. And I also am going to do a small post talking about the kotodama at some point which is a completely separate weird Japanese magic thing. This one will probably be much later because it’s still kind of a secret in Shadow and Light :3

[sailorheadcanons]

In an alternate timeline where Sailor Moon meets Nurarihyon no Mago, Crystal Tokyo doesn't comes to pass since Hotaru married Rikuo, Zen married Ami and his lifespan curse gets lifted when she finds a cure, and Gyuki gets engaged to Setsuna.

[thecrazyanimegirl]