Abe no Seimei
Abe no Seimei (安倍 晴明, February 21, 921 A.D. – October 31, 1005) was an onmyōji, a leading specialist of Onmyōdō during the middle of the Heian period in Japan. In addition to his prominence in history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore. He has been portrayed in several stories and films.
Abe no Seimei | |
|---|---|
Abe no Seimei as drawn by Kikuchi Yōsai (菊池容斎), a popular painter in Japan. | |
| Personal | |
| Born | February 21, 921 A.D. – Abemonju-in Temple in Sakurai, Nara, Japan |
| Died | October 31, 1005 (aged 84) |
| Religion | Onmyōdō |
| Senior posting | |
| Based in | Japan |
| Post | Onmyōji – adviser to the Emperor on the spiritually correct way to deal with issues. |
Seimei worked as an onmyōji for emperors and the Heian government, advising on the spiritually correct way to deal with issues. He prayed for the well-being of emperors and the government and advised on various issues. He was also an astrologer and predicted astrological events. He enjoyed an extremely long life, free from any major illness, contributing to the popular belief that he had mystical powers.
The Seimei Shrine, located in Kyoto, is a famous shrine dedicated to him. The Abeno train station and district in Osaka are named after him, as it is one of the locations where legends place his birth.