I'm Legitimately So Impressed At How You Style The Hairs In Your Hijab Cosplays, Particularly Sonettos.

Reverse 1999

Vertin: @tuesnaii

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023)

Frieren: @tuesnaii

Reverse 1999

Vertin: @tuesnaii

Sonetto: @komitrueself on instagram

Pokemon X&Y Concept Art

Hello!

A few weeks ago I got a commission from @pokeli to help them translate Pokemon X&Y concept art. I had so much fun translating the whole concept art. I like Pokemon too and I do think Kalos region is such a beautiful region with so many interesting characters. Hopefully, my translations could be a good medium to connect the concept art from the developer and the Pokemon fans out there, especially the international Pokemon fans.  

Please check out Pokeli’s awesome video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptqwIns4btQ

Genshin Impact

Lynette: @tuesnaii

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023)

Serie: @tuesnaii

Run With The Wind Event (風が強く吹いている声優イベント) - Mostly Focused on Uchiyama Kouki

Hello. This is the translation for Run With The Wind Voice Actor Event (2019.04.07) and mostly focused on Uchiyama Kouki.  Here is the original video: https://youtu.be/dMIJ-G5vmJ8 There is no subtitle on the video because I don’t do that and I only make raw translation, so here you go if you don’t mind. 

Cast

1.       Toyonaga Toshiyuki—Haiji Kiyose

2.       Kazuyuki Okitsu—Yukihiko Iwakura

3.       Irino Miyu—“Prince” Akane Kashiwazaki

4.       Uchiyama Kouki—“Shindo”Takashi Sugiyama

5.       Riki Kitazawa—“King” Youhei Sakaguchi

6.       Kabumoto Hideaki—Musa Kamala

7.       Takeo Ootsuka—Kurahara Kakeru

8.       Takanori Hoshino—“Nico-chan” Akihiro Hirata

9.       Enoki Junya—Jou Tarou

10.   Uemura Yuuto—Jou Jirou

 Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Then, let’s start to the next section. We will introduce you to Kansei University Marathon Club activity game. We will ask everyone to repeat the activity. First, “Self-Best Time”. This is a pair game. It will include the depth of each character’s background and the drama as well. And from that, here is the plan. All the cast will fill questionnaire and choose their character’s best scene. In this scene, Prince finally succeed the requirement thanks to Haiji. What is the reason of choosing this scene?

Irino Miyu: Yes. In this scene, as expected Prince, well everyone who watched it already know I guess, his sport ability is really low but in this team he must run as well. So it’s not like he hates sport, especially running. That’s why, he is able to move but at the same time he is not because he had hard time catching breathe. And then while seeing pictures, he can breathes normally. And suddenly he became tired and think “I can’t do it” but at last he still managed to finish it. In reality, I think it is really hard to act it.  And even after he ran, he is trembling a lot. Actually, I feel like even my hands are trembling as well, they became numb after I ran.  

Kazuyuki Okitsu: You can feel it too, huh?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Actually in the studio, in every running scenes of course they record everything. Especially Miyu-kun, Prince’s part took some times, right?

Irino Miyu: Ah right, well Prince’s count (nth place) is pretty far

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yeah right. And in that condition he runs. Every time he finished recording, Miyu would tell us one by one “my hands are trembling” “you know what, I’m trembling”

Irino Miyu: “hey I’m trembling” “my hands keep shaking”

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yes, yes

Irino Miyu: and he would say “don’t tell me”

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Right! Ucchi, why would you say that?

Irino Miyu: “My hands are trembling you know”

Uchiyama Kouki: You know, when you run,… at the end of the last part everyone will say it all at once “ we did it because of this person!”, right?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yeah, we did it

Uchiyama Kouki: I mean, that’s like because you auditioned for Prince it became an obvious thing!

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Oh yes you’re right

Uchiyama Kouki: It’s like an expected thing from all the supervisors

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: And then this case, for Kitazawa-san, what do you think about sport?

Riki Kitazawa: Me? Sport?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yes

Riki Kitazawa: I’m good at sport, you know!

Everyone: Eh???

Uchiyama Kouki: Really?

Irino Miyu: Please don’t lie. Sure thing it’s a lie

Kabumoto Hideaki: It’s a lie

Riki Kitazawa: It’s true!

Irino Miyu: It supposed to be visible then

Riki Kitazawa: Well,…

Uchiyama Kouki: Hee.. what’s wrong?

Kabumoto Hideaki: Well actually, we were taught by the real runner, the person really came. And before that everyone did run around the studio’s nearby

Irino Miyu: yes we ran!

Kabumoto Hideaki: But at that time, there was only one person who didn’t run

Uchiyama Kouki/Irino Miyu: Ehhh, everyone did run

Uchiyama Kouki: I did

Irino Miyu: Because the director came along as well

Uchiyama Kouki: Right

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Ucchi did the best I think

Irino Miyu: Well that’s because he was forced too I guess

Uchiyama Kouki: Not really

Kabumoto Hideaki: Kitazawa-san didn’t run

Riki Kitazawa: Hahahahaha

Uchiyama Kouki: Ehh??

Irino Miyu: Kitazawa-san—EHH???

Kazuyuki Okitsu: But somehow I get the point lol. Then we continue to Uchiyama Kouki’s Best Time choice, Shindo’s running ambition scene. Here we go!

Uchiyama Kouki: Yes, please

[ Shindo: Yes!

Haiji: Yes, Shindo!

Shindo: I will try to run in Hakone! At first I thought my parents would be glad to see me running in Hakone and I think we can really do it since there are fast runners such as Haiji-san and Kakeru. But like that sport university guy said, we are merely just figurants. No, probably will be burdensome

Twins: That’s enough!

Shindo: I don’t want to be like that. We were chosen to be able to live here so let’s run! I will grant my deepest will

Haiji: And the point is?

Shindo: I will do with my best running in Hakone Ekiden

Haiji: That’s the spirit!

Shindo: Thank you ]

Kazuyuki Okitsu: The best time that being chosen was from episode 5, at the scene where Shindo was drunk and being honestly telling his feeling.

Uchiyama Kouki: yes

Kazuyuki Okitsu: Please tell us what is your reason choosing this scene?

Uchiyama Kouki: Drunk acting was really hard

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Right. He was practicing so hard for this scene

Uchiyama Kouki: I was told I don’t have to be perfect to do it even before in the studio I already got OK. For the burp part, there was a person named Takashiya-san involved as well. And I was like “the vibe for the drunk, is it really drunk?”

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Really drunk?

Uchiyama Kouki: “…or just drunk?”

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Is there any variation for this stuff?

Uchiyama Kouki: There is!

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Eeehh, just like wine..

Uchiyama Kouki: Right. There were so many patterns that being taken, a lot of things should be prepared until finally it could be like “is it okay to make the variation just like this?” and to do it takes a lot of practicing

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: And then because of used to it suddenly you can do it?

Uchiyama Kouki: No, but I listen for it all the time. While listening, I give some comments in the middle of listening as well. But when the voice is perfect and see the result, well usually rather than seeing how we do it, the production focused more to movement of the picture, right? And then when we see it closely to the result, rather than the picture, the voice was overdo. Well it was overdo from the beginning but..

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: I can’t, I’m trying to focus right now!

Uchiyama Kouki: I was told that my acting was too lively, contrast to the ojigi at the last (the bow Japanese people usually do). I think that scene was too much but I thought that was okay and when I really did it I had to ignore about that fact. I think because of that (overdoing the act), then the result became like that. Really, really, everything in life is connected

Irino Miyu: No, it just.. you’re cool. It feels like as if you’re telling lie

Uchiyama Kouki: No, it’s true. Then, I’m grateful that he keep drinking. In time like this if he stop it’ll be hard for me

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Ucchi seems suitable to demonstrate it here—

Uchiyama Kouki: No way. It’s too much

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Well, yes that’s right

Irino Miyu: But it sounds foolish, right? The way he sounds

Uchiyama Kouki: Huh?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yeah, he was smiling foolishly

Uchiyama Kouki: No, I was not smiling foolishly. Oh please

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Then you started laughing using falsetto

Uchiyama Kouki: Laughing using falsetto…..

Irino Miyu, Uchiyama Kouki and others started laughing

Uchiyama Kouki: Ah but, yeah that was true

Kazuyuki Okitsu: Well, yes you sounds like that

Uchiyama Kouki: I think life is including that too

Kazuyuki Okitsu: If I should say the important point is, even him could run passing two people at the corner. Isn’t it cool?

--during this the camera focused on Takeo Ootsuka and Takenori Hoshino--

Idk who say it: Eh? Could you show me once more?

Idk who say it: Yeah, should we watch it once more?

Idk who say it: Nobody saw it??

Idk who say it: If we watch it once more…

Idk who say it: Well saw it once is a bit hard

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Let’s watch it once more

Uchiyama Kouki: Let’s watch it in order guys

Uchiyama Kouki: Ah, at that corner?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: This is it. He speed up for 33 seconds

Everyone: Hooooo

Irino Miyu: I thought you would choose a scene where you had a lot of lines

Kazuyuki Okitsu: Well, surprisingly Yuki’s best scene is when he doesn’t speak

Irino Miyu: Hmm hmm. Well running at the corner was beautiful after all

Kazuyuki Okitsu: It was really surprising to see suddenly it became dramatized when he runs

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Oh that’s right

Uchiyama Kouki: Um, it was obvious right? I mean when it was Yuki’s turn after I finished mine, um how long was it that time? I was told it was 2 seconds left, and that 2 seconds are something and so on and so forth—(he did nothing basically, just let go for that 2 seconds)

Irino Miyu: You!! Do your best please!!

Kazuyuki Okitsu: Take it seriously as if you are running for taking things you like!!

Irino Miyu: I’m sorry, this is supposed to be crucial scene. You can do like just give it, just give it already, seriously…

Uchiyama Kouki: Well how many seconds left for my part at that time? Um--

Irino Miyu: Just stop it already!!

Uchiyama Kouki: Something and so on and so forth. But then in running, there is difference I guess

Irino Miyu: Well, that’s true. Eh, but no, it’s not like that!! Of course there is difference!!

Kazuyuki Okitsu: I was running for the sake of this kind of guy?!!

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Now, let’s move to the next part. Tonight, the challenge to do is: Identify Jouta and Jouji!

Uemura Yuuto: Aw, it’s hard

Enoki Junya: It’s not gonna be easy

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: We already set 10 panels

Uemura Yuuto: No, no, no. I don’t know

Enoki Junya: No, of course you know

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: I’ll explain about it so please listen

Irino Miyu: Is it “who is this and who is that”?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki/Kazuyuki Okitsu: Right. Which one is Jouta and which one is Jouji, please choose. Each person choose 1 sheet, and answer it in turns. Please make sure to answer all the questions. The correct answer will get 5 points and the wrong answer will get -5 points. The game will be over for everyone if in the middle of the game you get more than 10 points. Because this game works in pair, it will be fine if both of you guys get it right, but when the first pair answer the question correctly and the others are wrong, it will be minus point

Uchiyama Kouki: Ehhhh whyyyy??? Why, why, why??

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: You got a problem with that?

Uchiyama Kouki: This is already hard, you know. Whyyy??

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: I can’t help with that. That is why, I thought this is gonna be the fault of the amount of questions we have.

Kazuyuki Okitsu: It keeps becoming minus

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Right now, if we have one sheet answered correctly the score will be zero

Uchiyama Kouki: This one, we know it, right?

Irino Miyu: Well as if I know..

Uchiyama Kouki: I don’t know this one

Takeo Ootsuka: This is troublesome

Irino Miyu: Isn’t it this one?

Uchiyama Kouki: No, I don’t know. How about this one? Which one? Either way?

Irino Miyu: Yeah. Either both. Just say it

Uchiyama Kouki: Either both

Irino Miyu: It’ll be fine if it’s you

Uchiyama Kouki: I don’t know. Ain’t this gonna be minus point?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yes. If it’s wrong it’s gonna be minus

Irino Miyu: It’s fine

Riki Kitazawa: Will it be minus..

Idk who say this: I’m counting on you, Ucchi

Uchiyama Kouki: Well, this right is… umm… Jou..ta. (pointing the left) Jou…ji.

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: The panels who know the answer, how is it?

Everyone: (screaming happily after heard the correct bell)

Enoki Junya: Awesome!!

Uchiyama Kouki: Yeah! Just one!

Idk who say it: Do it once more!

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: It’s getting lively eh

[ Musa: Thank you for your cooperation

Shindo: How was it?

Musa: It seems everyone is coming

Shindo: Yosh!

Prince: Handing out flyers…. as usual, has to be done one by one huh?

Shindo: But, when we first did it, we handed them from the familiar place, right?

Musa: Ah, how nostalgic. [雨垂れ石を穿つ] “Constant effort will result in success”, right?

Prince: Did you teach him, Shindo-san?

Shindo: No, it wasn’t me

Musa: I learned it by myself. Just like the raindrop, even if it’s just as small as grain, if it keeps falling at the same place, it could even make hole at stone. Even if it’s weak, if you continue patiently, you will get great results later

Shindo: Are you talking about us? Well, even Haiji-san waits for 4 years, right?

Prince: The first one who got persuaded was Musa, wasn’t it?

Musa: Really? How was it?

Shindo: The first one, huh? Who was it?

Musa: When I was informed about the run, I was already cornered by the twins

Prince: Then the first one were the twins huh? They are so easy to get in every way

Musa: Shindo-san, were you also being cornered as soon as being informed?

Shindo: Ahaha, at first I said I was on diet, right?

Musa: Prince-san also being hostaged while reading comic. Eh, in this case, self-hostaged (because the one who hostaged him was his own people at dorm)?

Prince: I don’t think so

Shindo:  Ah, but because of that the people who was at first didn’t want to do it can reach their goal, expressed their feeling, that means it changed something in our life, right?

Musa: At first, everyone keep saying it was impossible for us to run. But as we started to run, we realized a lot of things. I saw the racist act towards foreigner as well. At that time, Rikudo’s Fujioka-san’s words saved me. But, the happiest moment for me was Kakeru who got mad about that. He is always being sincere and doesn’t discriminate. That’s why he got hurts and looks a little bit lonely all the time. Even him changed as well. I think Kakeru who always run alone by himself is already gone. That goes the same to me. I was running alone but it feels like for sure as if 10 people were running together. How far that thing will be our strength? Being fast doesn’t mean you can win, I finally understand what does that means after I tried to run.

Shindo: Me too. I was thinking “what is winning?” “what is strong?”, I thought a lot of things. At first, I thought my family would be surprised for sure, just that and I didn’t think about anything else. Me became a marathon runner, I never imagined that before. When I ran for the first time, I think I’m not suitable for this thing. But, because I don’t understand as well, I have a feeling I have to try it. I was really frustrated when I couldn’t run in perfect condition. I barely remember the scenery I saw when I ran. But, everyone was waiting. The meaning of “connecting” is, forever cannot be forgotten. Just like Musa said, the support of everyone really becomes strength. Being strong is, when I don’t know what to do, when I may not be able to do anything, I wonder “why am I trying” and that thing is the reason that I continue to keep in my heart deeply.

Prince: You guys are really diligent, huh? I’m still the same person as usual. If it’s possible, I don’t want to do painful thing. Even until now I can’t say that I like running. Haiji-san and Kakeru were pretty stricted to me. But I understand the reason of their strictness. I have something I’m looking for from the bottom of my heart. Even myself don’t know what that thing is. That’s why, they became strict runner--they can be strict for person like me. I could trust that kind of persons. I thought, at the end of the road I ran, I have people I want to trust to, waiting for me.  No matter how long it takes for me to be able to run to that point, because of everyone who never give up to me, I did my best. That’s all  

Shindo: Kakeru also changed because of you, Prince

Musa: You two are really mutual friends

Prince: You don’t really have to say that

Shindo: But well, you guys were fighting because both of you were serious, right? If Kakeru was the only one who became furious, that kind of fighting would’ve never happen.

Musa: Because of serious, the clashing happened as well, right?

Prince: I didn’t think it’s better to regretting doing it rather than regretting not doing it. More than doing it, I did my best until all the regrets gone

Shindo: What’s that? Could it be—wise words?

Prince: You know that?? That masterpiece??

Shindo: No, I don’t know

Prince: Ah well it can’t help. That masterpiece is--  

Musa: Ah, by the way, Nico-chan senpai and the others, are they alright?

Shindo: Ah, they are currently doing the décor, right? I’d like to see it, should we go home earlier?

Musa: Let’s do it

Prince: You didn’t hear it, didn’t you? My explanation

Shindo: Um,..yeah… ]

Uchiyama Kouki: Thank you for coming today. Got the role Shindo is really hard for me because I usually didn’t get the role like this. I said it to myself as well, it felt so hard acting as him and ended up as a series of trial and error because I feel like being swayed by my specialty. But really, being able to be doing this role together with everyone and this kind of vibe and something and other, at the end while trying my best, it became really happening and I could get through until the last part.  After finishing the recording session for a while, when I saw the final result and saw how my voice is there already covered up, I thought “as expected this team is really awesome”. Once more, I thought it could be cool if Production IG and the voice direction team can do it together again. And then, for all the cast, somehow if I could say one by one to each of you, by the time until only good work left and being number one, I’m so glad being able to work together with all of you guys. Thank you so much for today.

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yes, thank you so much. Um, for addition, let me introduce myself. I’m Toyonaga Toshiyuki and I played Kiyose Haiji. Really, half year ago I thought it felt like I’m looking at professionals. The staff, Production IG staff, the anime production team, the voice direction team, the people who add small effects, the people who add big effects, and especially for me personally of course the cast of this anime, and also people who support the teams, I’m so glad today we could rescreening this anime. I think the other cast feel the same way I did, well even before this we already talked about this event in our LINE group. Of course as the cast, being able to be involved in this kind of work, I give this work all of me and hoping that everyone who came can watch this anime as well. I guess this applied to other roles that I worked as well. Every weeks, everyday, it’s really lively in our  LINE group. Sometimes it’s just like “It’s already midnight when it’s aired” or “It’s already airing”. Every weeks we could just gave reactions or personal questions. Sending that kind of reactions, and of course I joined the chat as well, and being able to do those things makes me  feel the “youth” feeling from the work as well. I thought “what a great work”. And moreover, from that work I could get the meaning of “the best”, the meaning of “strength”, the meaning of things that we cannot see with our eyes. And um, every weeks everyone, even from the twitter as well, from the Production IG, the production staff team worked hard from the designs of each characters, connecting all the sketches like from the illustrations until became submission were so mindful about this work. Each of everyone in Production IG at their own spot in the office really watch the airing episode and somehow show us, and when they did it I could feel the real love more than just do it for work or just marketing, everyone did it because they love this anime. And at the production place, I think it could be said as “the work of love” that we can see. At the end of the production, the last thing to do is to bring the character alive and as the voice actor we got the most important position and I’m glad for it.

Kazuyuki Okitsu: TOO LONG

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: I’m sorry

Kazuyuki Okitsu: I TOLD YOU TO GIVE IT TO TAKEO!

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: I’m sorry

Irino Miyu: It’s here lol (Kazuyuki’s anger)

Kazuyuki Okitsu: I TOLD YOU

Irino Miyu: That’s..

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yeah, I’ve waited for this (Kazuyuki’s anger)

Kazuyuki Okitsu: The others are waiting too (for Takeo’s turn)

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: I’m sorry. I’m really sorry it became too long. I want to give it to Takeo so I’m really sorry. Starting from now, please continue hyping on this anime. Thank you. Let’s go to the next person

Takeo Ootsuka: Well, um.. how do I say it, um.. this work “Run With The Winds” is always a blink of time. And um, at the time I was being allowed to read the work suddenly it’s already over. When I came to the studio to record and began to do the recording session in a blink of time it is already over. I feel like Anime in every episodes is really quick to over. But from that dense work I had fun. Um, it’s really.. how to say it.. good things is always getting lapped by the time. But from that, just like what Fujioka-san said “whether you have goal, if we could say there is an end…” is actually none, right? As long as everyone in “Run With The Winds” are still here, it will never end, just like them (the runners in the anime). This work is able to touched a lot of people’s heart and make each of you feel like as if we’re running along with the work. I feel like I want to over this talk. Actually running 10.000 meters is kinda scary, you know. So scary, so scary.

Irino Miyu: It’s already over isn’t it?

Takeo Ootsuka: Oh right, right

Irino Miyu: It’s okay, it’s okay

Takeo Ootsuka: Ah no please stop it. Please stop it

Uchiyama Kouki: Takeo really did his best, right?

Everyone is laughing

Uchiyama Kouki: It feels like something from his is changing, right?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Isn’t it good?

Uchiyama Kouki: You better don’t regret your past

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Really, isn’t it a good thing to be grateful for?

Irino Miyu: Oh yeah that’s right

Uchiyama Kouki: It seems like you’re quite growing

Irino Miyu: You can see it from the scene he chose, it feels as if his heart is 5% widened

Uchiyama Kouki: Ceirtanly it’s changing for sure

Takeo Ootsuka: No, no. But just like Kakeru who feels saved by these Aotake members, being able to play as Kurahara Kakeru in this season, of course not just the cast but also the production team moreover all the people who came here and always supported this work, because of those things this work can come this far. I strongly feel that a work is truly not made by one person. Other than that, I learned a lot of things from this role. For me, it is really become my best work. It will be great if everyone here could feel the same. If I continue to talk I could ended up crying so I’m gonna end here. Seriously, thank you so much for the supports. For all the cast, once more I say thank you so much. Thank you so much everyone.

Kazuyuki Okitsu: And with this, finally. Toyonaga-san is going to do something but because Toyonaga-san speak to much, there is no much time left.

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Let’s do it

Takeo Ootsuka: I’m fine actually to do it

Kazuyuki Okitsu: Bowing as the leader, please.. as the succession, Toyonaga-san.. please do it in loud voice

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Yes, as I planned before actually. This time, should we do it with Kakeru?

Takeo Ootsuka: I understand

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Kakeru, you ask.

Takeo Ootsuka: Okay. Um, then, if we ask 「箱根の山は」(The Hakone Mountains are), please answer it

Others: “That one”, right?

Takeo Ootsuka: Yes, please answer with “that one”

Irino Miyu: I think it’s okay

Takeo Ootsuka: It’s okay, right?

Toyonaga Toshiyuki: Is it okay?

Takeo Ootsuka: Let’s say it—ah, ahahahaha, thank you. Then, let’s go. 「箱根の山は」(The Hakone Mountains are)

Everyone: 「天下の険」(THE STEEPEST PLACE IN THE WORLD). Thank you so much  

Translation by Moi (@corvusnacht on twitter)      

“Golden Age”

Japan’s history and explanation of “The Golden Age”

I just realized I ever made this simple explanation of the Heian period, Onmyoudo, and the modern adaptation of that stuff. I made this last year and ever posted it on Twitter. I took Japanese literature during my college time but was not really good at this kind of stuff (I was more focused on literature rather than the culture), but I would like to share what I know. Let me know if there is any mistake you found here and don’t be scared to correct me if I’m wrong. Thank you. 

Starting in the 6th century, in East Asia, things also happened there and one of them was the influence of faith and religion. Confucianism from China and Buddhism from India started influencing Japanese society during that time. Back then, the government of Japan was ruled by aristocrats.  No longer after that, during the 7th century, a lot of scholars and monks were sent to China to study. At the same time during the end of the 7th century, Japan began to know the terms Tennou (天王) and Nihon (日本). 

The highlight of this explanation is the Nara and Heian periods. 

Nara period (710-784) was the era where everything was still heavily influenced by the Chinese. The capital during that time was located in Nara and the capital was modeled on the Chinese T’ang dynasty. The Chinese language was intensively studied, in most of the government documents were using Chinese. During that time, some characters were also adapted to Japanese. Japan also copied Chinese manuscripts (especially about Buddhism). 

The grand results during this era were Japan’s well-known storybooks: Kojiki (古事記) and Nihon Shoki (日本書紀). Manyoushuu (万葉集), the famous Japanese native poetry anthology was also written during this era. 

Moving on to Heian, this is the special era that became the title of this simple explanation.

The Heian period (794-1185) was the era when Japan started to become its real self. The Heian period started when the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto. Even though the Imperial House seemingly hold power on the surface, behind them, the Fujiwara clan is controlling the government. Japanese culture was also born during this era (building, clothing, paintings). Japan also started to establish its own characters in its language (kanji, hiragana, and katakana).

The famous literary work that was born during this era was The Tale of Genji (源氏物語) by Murasaki Shikibu. It is also said that this work was the oldest novel in the world. Another work that is worth knowing is Konjaku Monogatari (今昔物語), the collected stories of folklore and Buddhism related stories. A lot of them are about the encounter between human and spiritual beings. For example, tales of encounters with Hyakki Yakou ( 百鬼夜行 ) or Night of Hundred Demons, tengu, or various other obake.

Back to the history books that were mentioned before, I’d like to talk a little bit about it. The first is the Kojiki. It is also said as the “Record of Ancient Matters”. Kojiki is considered the sacred text of the Shinto religion. It consists of myths, legends, and historical accounts from the earliest days of creation up to the reign of Empress Suiko (628). It became the source for ceremonies, customs, divination, and magical practices of ancient Japan. 

Next, Nihon Shoki (日本書紀). It is also known as Nihon gi. This work is considered the “official history of Japan”. It consists of 30 chapters that conclude with myths, and legends of ancient Japan, and is also an important source of Shinto. The late chapters that start from the 5th century and so on talk about several powerful clans as well as imperial families. 

Another stuff that I want to talk about here is Onmyoudo （陰陽道).

Onmyoudo is the Japanese traditional esoteric cosmology, a mixture of natural science and occultism. It is also called  “the way of yin and yang”. It was influenced by Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. At first, this Onmyoudo wasn’t considered a religion, but in the 5th-6th century and also late 7th century, it finally became an independent faith. In the 9th century, Onmyoudou interacted with Shinto and Goryou and then developed a new unique system in Japan. It is also becoming the latest hit in the Heian period because during this era everyone believes that most phenomena are caused by spiritual-related things.  The activities in Onmyoudou include astronomy, calendar-making, the reckoning of time, divination, observing nature, and fortune-telling. During the Heian period, the activities that were held were a little bit more religious services such as warding off evil for preventing natural disasters and epidemics (and for the productiveness of grain), as well as curses against opponents. 

Then, we have Onmyouji, the person who does Onmyoudou professionally. You can say they are the practitioner of Onmyoudou. Back then, Onmyouji was an actual official position in the Bureau of Onmyou. They were recognized by society and the government as legal jobs. People at that time also believed that they could summon and control shikigami. Some of the notable onmyouji was Kamo no Yasunori, Abe no Seimei, Ashiya Douman, Kamo no Tadayuki, and Haruo Tsuchimikado.

From what I know, here are the simple differences between Onmyouji and Jujutsushi. They are somewhat similar to each other and I think they only have slight differences, not that much. 

Nowadays, we can still see some of the modern adaptations of literary works actually adapting the stories about stuff I explained before. Here I made a list of the modern adaptation (anime) that used the stories related to Onmyouji or Jujutsushi. Personally, I really like Jujutsu Kaisen. There is actually a continuation of this presentation but I think I’m not going to talk about it now. That’s it. That’s all I know. Hopefully, it could be a simple guide for you guys who is interested in Onmyouji-related stuff or just as extra knowledge. Thank you for reading!

Zenless Zone Zero

Anby Demara: @tuesnaii

YOOOOO YOUR COSPLAY IS SO COOL AKDHALSVZKANZKA

Thank you!! Wow, so happy to know people like my cosplay 😆🫶