Please tell me about Onmyoji and barriers. 【True Stories of the Spiritual World】

Nov. 13, 2018（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

Q. Please tell me about Onmyoji and barriers.

A. Onmyoji were supernatural beings and political advisors during the Heian period. Barriers are magnetic fields created to prevent the intrusion of evil spirits.

Onmyoji were also political advisors during the Heian period.

Onmyoji were individuals who entered and exited the court as a type of supernatural being during the Heian period. The famous Onmyoji Abe no Seimei spoke as follows in a spiritual discourse: "In our time, Onmyodo, the study of yin and yang itself, existed as a form of scholarship, but of course, it was not like the astronomers of today looking at the stars. Through astronomy, we judged the governance of the country and the mission, fate, and heavenly mandate of those in important political positions. Next, we would discern who would rise to prominence, or, while the matter requires secrecy, we would read the timing of the deaths of those in power or the timing of political upheavals, intertwining these with astronomy. Judging good and bad fortune, the idea of 'avoiding misfortune and taking good fortune' means, in modern terms, 'happiness and unhappiness are divided by human judgment.' Therefore, if we could read good and bad fortune in advance using supernatural phenomena, it should be possible to minimize unhappiness and maximize happiness." (From 'The Onmyoji Power that Saves Japan') Regarding politics, Onmyoji played a very important role, advising on what should be done and expressing opinions on personnel matters, as well as defeating political enemies, thus fulfilling a political advisory role.

An illustration of an Onmyoji performing divination with counting sticks from the early Edo period Nara picture book 'Tamamonomae'. Held by the Kyoto University Library.

Barriers are invisible 'spiritual magnetic fields'.

Many people may have seen scenes in movies or dramas where Onmyoji create barriers to seal away demons and yokai. A barrier is something like a fortress against the outside world, created by establishing a religious space or spiritual magnetic field to prevent the intrusion of evil spirits or living spirits. For example, at shrines, 'shimenawa' is hung to enshrine the gods, thus creating a barrier to prevent evil spirits from entering. In the branches and temples of Happy Science, a type of barrier is also established, protected by a spiritual aura.

References: 'The Onmyoji Power that Saves Japan' open_in_new 'The Law of Mysteries' open_in_new

People in the Heian period often called Onmyoji to heal illnesses. In contemporary literature, there are frequent mentions of 'living spirits coming and possessing.' Based on my current feelings, I must say, 'Living spirits do exist. Such phenomena actually occur.'

The true nature of what is called a 'living spirit' is not only the guardian spirit of the person but also something more. The strong thoughts of the person themselves combine with their guardian spirit. The guardian spirit and the person's own thoughts, that is, the thoughts of someone living on earth, merge and come together powerfully.

If one has obsessive thoughts towards a specific person, such as aggressive or hateful thoughts like 'I want to fire them,' 'I want to send them away,' or 'I want them to die,' these thoughts go to that person and stick to them. Many cases arise where such thoughts manifest as illnesses in the other person.

Therefore, it is necessary to remove these, and at that time, it was the job of Onmyoji. In that sense, Onmyoji also served as doctors in the past.

（経典『奇跡のガン克服法』より）

You may have heard the term 'exorcist.' In the past, there were several movies titled 'Exorcist,' so even those who haven't seen the films might have heard of it in some form.

An exorcist, when translated into Japanese, means 'a person who drives out demons.'

In the Christian world, demons are well-known, and many people believe in their existence, so it is widely understood. However, in Japan, demons are somewhat less known and can seem confusing, often perceived as characters from stories or fairy tales.

In Japan, it might be more familiar to think of 'oni' (demons). There have been tales of 'oni appearing' since ancient times, which, to be clear, are demons. The oni of ancient Japan are demons.

（経典『現代のエクソシスト』より）