Abe Seimei (February 21, 921 AD - October 31, 1005 AD), Abe Seimei was an onmyoji active in the middle of the Heian period, and ruled the onmyoji from the Kamakura period to the early Meiji era. The founder of the Tsuchimikado family in Liao. Abe Seimei was an expert with excellent knowledge of "Astronomical Way", which was at the forefront of technology and magic at the time, and "Onmyoji", which focused on divination, and was a great Onmyoji trusted by the Heian nobles. And his life story has also been mysterious, giving birth to many legendary anecdotes. During his lifetime, he was a competitor with Master Domo (Michimit Ashiya). There are also rumors that Abe Seimei may be Taira Shogun, the son of Taira Shomon. He was highly regarded by the emperor and powerful officials during his lifetime, and was awarded the title of "Hoseiin" at the age of 79. After his death, through the efforts of several generations of descendants, he was promoted from a doctor of astronomy, a junior doctor, to a highly respected official. So much so that there was a famous saying in the Edo period: "I don't know Minamoto Yoshitsune, but I know Seimei Kō". Since then, Abe Seimei has been known as "Seimei Koshi" and has become a household name in Japan.
Abe Seimei
Abe Seimei, according to the genealogy handed down by the Abe family, is the son of Abe Masacai (あべのますき), a junior nobleman under the Osan Daifu officer. He was born in Abeno, Settsu Province. (Current Abeno Ward, Osaka City). It is said that he is a descendant of Abe Nakamaro. The year of his birth is unknown, but based on the record that he died in September of the second year of Kuanhong (1005) at the age of 85, it is inferred that he was probably born in the 21st year of Yanxi (920). It is also said that he died at the age of 45. (The age of the Tsuchimikado family is different.) There is no detailed record of his childhood. He studied Onmyodo under the onmyoji Kamo Tadayuki and Hoken and his son. He was appreciated by Hoken and was taught the astronomical way.
The conclusive record of Abe Seimei appeared in 960 AD, when Emperor Murakami appointed Seimei, who was a student of astronomy at the time (a professional title for a student who belongs to Onnyōryō and studies astronomy with a doctor of astronomy) to perform divination. Although Qingming came to prominence late, his divination talents have been recognized by the aristocratic society. After that, he was appointed Doctor of Astronomy.
In 979 AD, the 59-year-old Seimei was ordered by the Crown Prince (later Emperor Hanayama) to go to Mount Nachi to hold a ceremony to seal the Tengu. From then on, Seimei seemed to have gained the trust of Emperor Hanayama, and the records detail Seimei's performance of Onmyodo rituals. After Emperor Hanayama abdicated, Seimei also gained a high degree of trust from Emperor Ichijo and Noboshi Fujiwara. This can be seen from the nobility's diary "Mido Seki Hakuki" and the diaries of other nobles.
Seimei, who is extremely famous as an onmyoji, has held important positions such as Dr. Sakyo Gon, head of the granary hospital, and Harima shou. His status was also due to the trust of Fujiwara Michichiro and his strong ability to do things. Climbing from the fourth rank to being awarded the "Hosei-in" became an insurmountable peak for Onmyoji in the Heian era. In addition, Seimei's two sons, Yoshichō and Yoshihira, were also appointed as Doctors of Astronomy and Onnyōsuke (secondary ministers of the Onnyōryō). In Seimei's generation, the Abe family also became an onmyōdo family comparable to the Kamo clan of their master, Tadayuki. Because he is the son of a white fox, the world calls him "Son of the White Fox".
About Abe Seimei’s parents
Abe Seimei’s father is usually considered to be Abe Masukai (あべのますき), a lower-ranking nobleman of the Daisan Daifu Officer, but about his mother, There are many legends, and the most common one is that its mother is a white fox (influenced by the Japanese belief in Inari God) named Kuzunoha. According to "Fuguisho", Abe Masukai rescued a white fox from Eemon. This white fox was the fox spirit "Kudzuha" who had practiced for many years in the Shinta Forest of Izumi Province. Later, she transformed into a human and fell in love with Yicai, and later gave birth to Qingming. When Qingming was five years old, he unexpectedly saw the true form of his mother, the fox, and the moment of separation came. Kuzu Ye left her crying son behind and returned to the forest. "If you miss me, come and look for it... The deepest part of Izumi, Shinta Forest, kudzu leaves..." The song that is sung over and over again is the mother's last words to her child. Seimei will follow the instructions of this song to be able to come again in the future. Meet his mother in a secret place in the forest and inherit powerful spiritual power.
But there are also legends that Abe Seimei has no parents, but is the transformation of himself among all things.
Modern research believes that in fact, Abe Masukai should have married a low-ranking busker girl at the time, or a wandering girl from the mountains and other lower-status classes. In order to cover up this disgraceful behavior in the later period, In fact, or deliberately deifying Abe Seimei, the legend of the white fox Kuzuye came into being, in order to consolidate Abe Seimei’s status and mystery in people’s hearts