Uncovering "Shikigami": The Search for the Spirit Servant of Onmyōdō
A study of scholarly discourse on shikigami reveals diverse understandings of what this thaumaturgical emblem of Onmyōdō (way of yin and yang) represents. From a metaphorical reference to shikisen (an augury using astrological calculations and an augury instrument called shikiban), to a type of magi...
| Published in: | Japanese journal of religious studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Nanzan Institute
[2013]
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| In: |
Japanese journal of religious studies
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| Further subjects: | B
Empresses
B Buddhism B Ceremonial objects B Deities B Astrology B Religious Studies B Incantations B Religious rituals B Religious places |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | A study of scholarly discourse on shikigami reveals diverse understandings of what this thaumaturgical emblem of Onmyōdō (way of yin and yang) represents. From a metaphorical reference to shikisen (an augury using astrological calculations and an augury instrument called shikiban), to a type of magical curse, to a supernatural being, the various explanations offered by Japanese scholars highlight the ambivalent nature oí shikigami and demonstrate the difficulties in establishing the exact nature of this enigmatic being. Although such variations in definition are a result of changing textual constructions of shikigami in Japanese classical literature, literary narratives still function as a useful source of social and cultural studies of early Japanese society. Through my study of shikigami, I seek to highlight the significance of Onmyödö in Japanese religiosity and provoke further studies in Japanese folklore beliefs while examining the use of literary narratives in religious studies. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Japanese journal of religious studies
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