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Onmyoji (film)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese movie that was released in 2001 and sent to the US in 2004. Directed by Yōjirō Takita, it tells of the exploits of Abe no Seimei
, the Onmyoji (also known as: The Yin Yang Master) from the court of the Emperor. He befriended bungling court noble, Minamoto no Hiromasa
, who enlists his aid to defend the Heian emperor. Meanwhile, an opposing onmyoji Doson is plotting the downfall of the emperor, while attempting to frame Seimei by unleashing a horde of yōkai
to do his bidding.
There are some modern depictions of Onmyoji magic involving divination, transforming paper cutouts into beautiful maidens, and the like. Mansai Nomura is a famous kyogen
actor, a type of traditional theater related to noh
but of a more comic nature, and this role is considered something of a big transition for him. His portrayal of Abe no Seimei
has been described as including a number of 'foxy' looks, perhaps in acknowledging the folklore describing Abe no Seimei's mother as a kitsune
. The lead actress, Eriko Imai, a pop singer, has very few lines and little involvement with the plot.
A sequel, Onmyoji 2
, appeared in 2003. Both movies are based on the Onmyouji novels by Baku Yumemakura
, which also inspired a manga series by Reiko Okano
.
Abe no Seimei
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 and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
, the Onmyoji (also known as: The Yin Yang Master) from the court of the Emperor. He befriended bungling court noble, Minamoto no Hiromasa
Minamoto no Hiromasa
was a nobleman and gagaku musician in the Heian period. He was the eldest son of Prince Katsuakira and the grandson of Emperor Daigo. His mother was the daughter of Fujiwara no Tokihira....
, who enlists his aid to defend the Heian emperor. Meanwhile, an opposing onmyoji Doson is plotting the downfall of the emperor, while attempting to frame Seimei by unleashing a horde of yōkai
Yōkai
are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is made up of the kanji for "otherworldly" and "weird". Yōkai range eclectically from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them...
to do his bidding.
There are some modern depictions of Onmyoji magic involving divination, transforming paper cutouts into beautiful maidens, and the like. Mansai Nomura is a famous kyogen
Kyogen
is a form of traditional Japanese comic theater. It developed alongside Noh, was performed along with Noh as an intermission of sorts between Noh acts, on the same Noh stage, and retains close links to Noh in the modern day; therefore, it is sometimes designated Noh-kyōgen...
actor, a type of traditional theater related to noh
Noh
, or - derived from the Sino-Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" - is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. Traditionally, a Noh "performance day" lasts all day and...
but of a more comic nature, and this role is considered something of a big transition for him. His portrayal of Abe no Seimei
Abe no Seimei
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 and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
has been described as including a number of 'foxy' looks, perhaps in acknowledging the folklore describing Abe no Seimei's mother as a kitsune
Kitsune
is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume...
. The lead actress, Eriko Imai, a pop singer, has very few lines and little involvement with the plot.
A sequel, Onmyoji 2
Onmyoji 2
is a 2003 Japanese jidaigeki film directed by Yojiro Takita.-Cast:* Mansai Nomura* Hideaki Itō* Eriko Imai* Kyoko Fukada* Hayato Ichihara...
, appeared in 2003. Both movies are based on the Onmyouji novels by Baku Yumemakura
Baku Yumemakura
is a Japanese science fiction and adventure writer. He is best known for writing Jōgen no Tsuki wo Taberu Shishi , which won both the Seiun Award and the Nihon SF Taisho Award...
, which also inspired a manga series by Reiko Okano
Reiko Okano
is a Japanese manga artist. In 1989, she won the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Fancy Dance. She is married to director Makoto Tezuka.- References :...
.
Cast
- Mansai NomuraMansai NomuraMansai Nomura , born April 5, 1966 under the name Takeshi Nomura , is a well known Kyogen stage actor, and minor film actor. Nomura recently gained notoriety for his role as the eccentric Abe no Seimei in the film Onmyoji and its sequel.His debut was at the age of three in the drama, Quiver of The...
: Abe no Seimei - Hideaki ItoHideaki Ito-Personal information:He was born in Gifu and has a younger sister. He enjoys riding, diving, skiing, and snowboarding in his spare time.-Television shows:* Dessin * Odoru Daisousasen * Boy Hunt...
: Minamoto no Hiromasa - Eriko ImaiEriko Imaiis a Japanese pop artist. She made her debut in the early 1990s as part of the group Speed which disbanded in March 2000. Eriko began her work away from Speed during 1998, performing "Tsumetaku Shinai de", under the stage name "Eriko with Crunch", on the Speed single "All My True Love"...
: Mitsumushi - Yui NatsukawaYui Natsukawais a Japanese entertainer. She was born on June 1, 1968 in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. She is a left-hander . She was given a Best New Talent award at the 1995 Yokohama Film Festival for her role in Yoru ga mata kuru.-Drama:...
: Fujiwara no Sukehime - Mai Hosho: Uri no onna
- Kenichi Yajima: Fujiwara no Morosuke
- Kenjiro IshimaruKenjiro Ishimaruis a Japanese actor and announcer. He is best known for his role in Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Den-O as the owner of the DenLiner. He has also appeared in multiple competitions of Sasuke as a competitor and during that time has become one of only two people to fall off the Rolling Log obstacle...
: Onmyo-gashira - Kenichi Ishii: Fujiwara no Kaneie
- Houka Kinoshita: Kanmu-Ten'nou
- Sachiko KokubuSachiko Kokubuis a Japanese actress and fashion model. She has starred several TV dramas and movies. She had the starring role in the 2004 horror film Tokyo Psycho.- Filmography :* Nurse no osigoto 3 * Onmyoji * Tokyo Psycho...
: Fujiwara no Tadako - Kenji Yamaki: Tachibana no Udon
- Akira Emoto: Fujiwara no Motokata
- Masato HagiwaraMasato Hagiwarais a Japanese actor. He is employed by Alpha Agency.-Live-Action Roles:*Change!*Onmyoji as Imperial Prince Sawara Shinno-Anime roles:*Akagi as Shigeru Akagi*Blade as Kykyo Mikage...
: Sawara-Shin'nou - Ittoku Kishibe: The Emperor
- Kyōko KoizumiKyoko Koizumi' is a Japanese singer and actress. Her music is released through Victor Entertainment . She is also known by the nickname Kyon Kyon. She had singles reach the Top ten for 12 consecutive years between 1983 and 1994, a female solo artist record, until this was broken by Namie Amuro...
: Aone - Hiroyuki SanadaHiroyuki Sanadais a Japanese actor.-Life and career:Sanada was born in Tokyo. Originally aiming to be an action star, starting with shorinji kempo, he eventually took up Kyokushin kaikan Sanada began training at age 11 with actor and martial arts star Sonny Chiba's Japan Action Club where he developed good...
: Douson
Dub Cast
- Terrence StoneTerrence StoneTerrence Stone is an Irish-American voice actor who is also known as Terry Stone.-Anime Roles:* Ah! My Goddess as Photographer* Apocalypse Zero as Kagenari...
: Abe no Seimei - Mona MarshallMona MarshallMona M. Ianotti is an American voice actress. She is often cast in the role of young boys. Her roles have included parts in not only Japanese anime, but also in American cartoons as well. Mona Marshall has recently lent her voice to the talking bear Koby the Study Buddy...
: Fujiwara no Sukehime - Richard CansinoRichard CansinoRichard Cansino is an American voice actor. He is also known as Richard Hayworth because he is the nephew of Rita Hayworth, and occasionally goes by the name Steve Davis after the British snooker player of the same name...
: Fujiwara no Morosuke - Tom WynerTom WynerThomas Halperin "Tom" Wyner is an English-born voice actor for anime series who usually gets tough guy or villain roles. He is also a producer, director, and writer...
: Fujiwara no Motokata - Bob PapenbrookBob PapenbrookRobert DeWayne "Bob" Papenbrook was an American voice actor. Fellow voice actors often nicknamed him "Pappy". He was very well known in the worlds of anime and video game voice-overs for his voice acting of "gruff" characters...
: Tachibana no Ukon - Tony OliverTony OliverRafael Antonio Olivier , better known as Tony Oliver, is an American voice actor best known for voicing Rick Hunter from Robotech and Arsène Lupin III from Lupin The 3rd...
: Prince Sawara - Kari WahlgrenKari WahlgrenKari K. Wahlgren is an American voice actress who has provided English language voices for dozens of anime titles and video games. Her debut role was as one of the main characters of FLCL, Haruko Haruhara. She had a live-action role as Tinker Bell in the 2003 Damion Dietz film Neverland...
: Aone - Steve KramerSteve Kramer (actor)Steven M. Kramer is an American voice actor for many anime titles. He has also done voice acting for various Power Rangers series in the past, with the best-known of those roles being the voice of Darkonda in Power Rangers in Space. His wife, Melora Harte, is a voice actress...
: Doson - Brandon JonesBrandon JonesBrandon Jones may refer to:*Brandon Jones , American actor*Brandon Jones , NFL wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens*Brandon Jones , Canadian Idol finalist...
: Minahoto no Hirosoma - Simon PrescottSimon PrescottSimon Prescott Born in Brooklyn,New York 26 May 1936;has many Stage,TV & Film credits...also has many V.O. credits including Japanese Anime Cartoon Series and Video games; He has also voice-matched and dubbed many Foreign & Domestic films.-Anime:...
: Emperor - Helen Storm: Toko
- Jim TaggertJim TaggertJim Taggert is a voice actor. He debuted in the movie Akira in 1988. Famous roles include Fushigi Yugi as Chichiri, and Cyborg 009 as Albert Heinrich. Taggert has also starred in Street Fighter II V, where he voiced Fei Long, and in Pilot Candidate as Clay Cliff Fortran...
: Nagamasa