Spirit Servant - Narratives of Shikigami and Onmyōdō Developments - A MA Thesis by Carolyn Pang BA Hons NUS (2009).pdf

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SPIRIT SERVANT:
NARRATIVES OF SHIKIGAMI AND
ONMYŌDŌ
DEVELOPMENTS
PANG CAROLYN
(B.A. (Hons.),
NUS)
A THESIS SUBMITTED
FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF JAPANESE STUDIES
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
2009
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acknowledgements are more than a list of names; it is recognition of those
who have been crucial in making this thesis possible and gratitude to all the important
people in my life who have always inspired and supported me during my research.
Mentors are a crucial beacon to guide me when I felt lost during times of
confusion. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Scot
Hislop for his insightful advice, infinite patience and constant concern for my well-
being. Despite the inevitable stress and frustrations, my studies have always been a
journey of great enjoyment because of his continual support. I am immensely
indebted to Dr Lim Beng Choo for her constant emotional support and much-needed
guidance. I always find strength in her gentle and motherly concern to strive on. I
want to thank Professor Komine Kazuaki and Professor Masuo Shinichirō who
warmly welcomed me to participate in their lectures and study groups at Rikkyo
University and provided valuable advice for my research. My sincere thanks to all the
professors of the Department of Japanese Studies who have in different ways shaped
my ideas, inspired new ways of thinking and fueled my passion for further studies.
My family means the world to me for they give me the strength to pursue my
dreams and make it through life. All my achievements are because of their firm
support. To my parents who give me much freedom, I am constantly thankful that you
are my parents. To my eldest sister, Fiona, for being a role model in life and bringing
two wonderful children into this world. To my elder sister, Jane, for always being
there and being the most honest critic of my thesis. To my brother, Richard, for
having faith in me and simply for being who he is. To my niece, Sharleen and godson,
James, for giving me emotional strength. To all my relatives, for being here for me.
i
Friends are my treasured travel companions on this crazy adventure that we
call life. Let us continue to have fun together on this unpredictable life journey. To
Karen Feng, for making my life in Tokyo wonderful and memorable. To Yuen
Shumin, for being a wonderful buddy in study, tutorship, travel, fashion... in summary,
everything! To Kam Thiam Huat, for devotedly connecting all the JS batches. You are
the unsung hero of the department. To my long-time close friends, Kah Yen, Su Lynn,
Jau Chern and Chien Tee, for more than a decade of precious friendship and caring
support. To Letitia, Clarence, Serene, Esther, Karl and Susan for all their valuable
support, advices and companionship. To all JS students, for making my life in NUS
full of fond and cherished memories.
I owe much thanks to the Japanese Studies administration staff for making my
school life so much more enjoyable. To Ms Lee Bee Ling, for her good-natured
accommodation of my random moments and appreciation of my wacky antics. To Ms
Sheila Tang, for her generous sharing of snack rations to ensure my continued
existence in the department. To Mr Tan Kay Hoe, for patiently answering all my
questions and making my study at NUS easier.
In my course of research, I have benefitted from two grants. The Research
Scholarship from the National University of Singapore greatly made my graduate
studies financially easier. The Monbukagakusho scholarship from the Japanese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was essential for advancing my research for this thesis in
Tokyo at Rikkyo University.
Acknowledgements are not meant as an ending note to list one’s appreciation
for people who have helped to make this thesis possible but a reminder of important
things in life. I hope I will continue to have the love and support of all the above-
mentioned people in my ongoing journey in life and research.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ i
Table of Contents ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii
Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- v
List of Figures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii
Glossary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- viii
Chapter 1
Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
1.1 The Early Developments of Onmyōdō ----------------------------------------- 3
1.2 Methodological and Theoretical Issues ---------------------------------------- 5
1.3 Looking at the Spirit Servant through the Chapters ------------------------- 10
1.4 A Note about Semantics and Terminology ----------------------------------- 12
Chapter 2
Prevalent Conceptions of Shikigami
in Contemporary Scholarship ------------------------------------------- 16
2.1 Shikigami as a Metaphorical Reference to
Shikisen
------------------------ 17
2.2 Shikigami as a Representation of Human Cognitive Power --------------- 20
2.3 Shikigami as a Type of Utilizable Energy ------------------------------------ 23
2.4 Shikigami as a Magical Curse ------------------------------------------------- 25
2.5 Shikigami as a Supernatural Being -------------------------------------------- 27
Chapter 3
Early Shikigami Narratives: The Amorphous Entity -------------- 32
3.1 Metonymy of
Shikisen: Makura-no sōshi
------------------------------------ 34
3.2 Cause of Illnesses and Troubles:
Shōyūki
------------------------------------ 38
iii
3.3 A Category of Magic Skill:
Shin-sarugakuki
-------------------------------- 41
Chapter 4
Developments in Shikigami Narratives:
From Augury to Assassin ------------------------------------------------ 49
4.1 Analytical Spy and Physical Materiality:
Ōkagami
------------------------ 51
4.2 Corporeality, Lethal Weapon and Knowledge-based Exclusivity:
Konjaku
monogatari-shū
----------------------------------------------------------------- 54
4.3 Deadly Curse and Retaliation Spells:
Uji-shui monogatari
--------------- 61
Chapter 5
Shift in Shikigami Narratives:
From Spirit Servant to Unbridled Supernatural Signs ------------ 70
5.1 Loss of Control and Indiscriminate Harm:
Zokukojidan
------------------- 71
5.2 Bridge Augury and Twelve Guardian Deities:
Genpeijōsuiki
------------- 77
Chapter 6
Conclusion: Who is the Spirit Servant Serving? -------------------- 86
6.1 Adoption of Shikigami Narratives by Onmyōdō Institutions---------------88
Bibliography ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 93
Appendix 1. Shikigami Narratives ------------------------------------------------------ 104
iv

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