Shikigami

Abe no Seimei and his shikigami (bottom right) before an assembly of God-like demon spirits

Shikigami (式神) are a type of spirit found in Japanese folklore. They are summoned to serve a practitioner of onmyōdō (called an onmyōji), much in the same way a Western familiar serves a witch. Shikigami cannot be seen by most people, but, according to the Heian period onmyōji who are said to have controlled them, often look like child-sized oni. Shikigami supposedly can, at the onmyōji's command, take a variety of human or animal forms, possess or bewitch people, and even cause bodily harm and death.

A woman performs a cursing ritual ceremony

The famous onmyōji Abe no Seimei was said to be particularly skilled at manipulating shikigami, and even had them performing odd jobs around the house. The Twelve Heavenly Generals were reportedly among the shikigami that he employed.

See also

• Anchimayen
• Japanese folklore
• Japanese mythology in popular culture

References

• Mizuki, Shigeru (2003). Mujara 3: Kinki-hen. Tokyo: Soft Garage. pp. 61. ISBN 4861330068.