# Onmyo-Za

Onmyo-Za (Japanese: 陰陽座, Hepburn: Onmyō-za, literally "gathering of yin and yang") is a Japanese heavy metal band from Osaka, who released their first album in 1999.

## History

They play quite orthodox heavy metal music, mixed with elements from Japanese folk and pop music, and play both fast, hard songs and slow ballads. Since their debut in 1999, they have appeared in traditional clothing characteristic of Japan's Heian period.
Their name refers to Onmyōdō and the gathering of yin and yang (Inyo in Japanese, formerly Onmyō), and the theme of opposites and cosmic dual forces are prevalent in their lyrics. This contrast is also represented by the female and male vocals and two guitarists.

## Band members

* Matatabi - bass, vocals, leader, lyrics, composer
* Kuroneko - vocals, lyrics
* Maneki - guitar, backing vocals
* Karukan - guitar

### Support members

* Dobashi Makoto - drums, percussion
* Abe Masahiro - keyboards

### Former members

* Atsushi "Tora" Kawatsuka - drums, percussion (1999–2009)

## Stage names

Each of the band member's stage names feature a double entendre with a sense of humor and make references to cats.
* Matatabi (瞬火) means "flash fire", but it can also be read as silver vine (loved by cats, similar to catnip).
* Kuroneko (黒猫) literally means "black cat", just symbolizing her personality.
* Maneki (招鬼) practically means "summoning oni", but see also maneki neko.
* Karukan (狩姦) is unclear. Karu (狩) independently means "attacking"/"hunting" and Kan (姦) is "adultery". The kanji 姦 and 奸, (the latter now meaning "wickedness") were the same in old times but have been changed. But it is also a brand of cat food.
* Tora (斗羅) It's pronounced like the word "tiger", but its reading is the same as tabby. It also refers to him being a Hanshin Tigers fan.

## Influences

Matatabi was influenced by heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest, Annihilator, Destruction, and Rush. Osamu Tezuka and Futaro Yamada had a significant influence on him. Matatabi also hailed Ningen Isu as the precedent playing heavy metal and singing in Japanese. Kuroneko said she respects Ronnie James Dio as her eternal goal. In addition to that, her inspirations included Kenji Miyazawa and Zdzisław Beksiński. Karukan cites Jason Becker, Maneki and Paul Gilbert as his main influences. He practiced songs by "Shrapnel" Artists back in the day such as Jason Becker, Richie Kotzen, Greg Howe and so on, and covered Megadeth's songs along with Maneki. Maneki listed Gary Moore's "Blues Alive" as his favorite album.

## Themes and inspiration

Their songs mainly deal with Japanese folklore, such as the oni, yōkai, and the dragons. However, some songs have more concrete themes and inspirations. For example, Onmyo-Za have composed twelve songs related to "Ninpocho", or "ninja scrolls". These songs are a tribute to author Futaro Yamada and his ōchō series. The band's hit song, "Koga Ninpocho", was written for the Studio Gonzo TV animated series Basilisk, which was based on Yamada's novel, The Kouga Ninja Scrolls.
There are also some other songs inspired by Osamu Tezuka and Natsuhiko Kyogoku, and the Kumikyoku Yoshitsune trilogy is based on the legend of Japanese ancient tragic hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune. "Soukoku/Doukoku" was written for the Nintendo DS game The Inugami Clan which was based on Seishi Yokomizo's novel The Inugami Clan. "Aoki Dokugan" was written for the pachinko machine "CR Sengoku-ranbu Aoki Dokugan" which is based on the story of Date Masamune, a famous daimyō.

## Discography
### Albums

| Title | Album type | Release date | Peak Japanese Chart Position |
| Kikoku-Tenshou (鬼哭転生; Wailing Reincarnation) | Studio album | December 5, 1999 | did not chart |
| Hyakki-Ryouran (百鬼繚乱; Welter of Hundred Demons) | Studio album | December 24, 2000 | did not chart |
| Kojin-Rasetsu (煌神羅刹; Coruscating god Raksasa) | Studio album | January 10, 2002 | 49 |
| Fuuin-Kairan (封印廻濫; Circulating Seal) | Studio album | July 24, 2002 | 63 |
| Houyoku-Rindou (鳳翼麟瞳; Phoenix Wing, Unicorn's Eye) | Studio album | January 22, 2003 | 23 |
| Mugen-Houyou (夢幻泡影; Illusion of Vapor and Shadow) | Studio album | March 3, 2004 | 27 |
| Garyo-Tensei (臥龍點睛; Finishing Touch) | Studio album | June 22, 2005 | 20 |
| Maou-Taiten (魔王戴天; Evil Lord Takes Heaven) | Studio album | July 25, 2007 | 13 |
| Chimimouryou (魑魅魍魎; Evil River and Mountain Spirits) | Studio album | September 10, 2008 | 9 |
| Kongoukyuubi (金剛九尾; Sturdy Dazzling Ninetails) | Studio album | September 9, 2009 | 13 |
| Kishi Bojin (鬼子母神; Mother Of Devils) | Studio album | December 21, 2011 | 13 |
| Fuujin Kaikou (風神界逅; Fuujin Against the Realms) | Studio album | September 24, 2014 | 10 |
| Raijin Sousei (雷神創世; Genesis of Raijin) | Studio album | September 24, 2014 | 11 |
| Karyou Binga (迦陵頻伽; "Kalavinka") | Studio album | November 30, 2016 | 7 |
| Hadou Myouou (覇道明王; High-handed Wisdom King) | Studio album | June 6, 2018 | 11 |
| Ryuuou-Douji (龍凰童子; Legacy of the Dragon King) | Studio album | January 18, 2023 | 6 |

### Compilations

| Title | Album type | Release date | Peak Japanese Chart Position |
| Sekinetsu-Enbu (赤熱演舞; Red Hot Dance) | Live album | June 25, 2003 | 68 |
| In'you-Shugyoku (陰陽珠玉; Jewel of Yin and Yang) | "Best of" compilation album | February 8, 2006 | 14 |
| Onmyou-Live (陰陽雷舞; Onmyou Thunder Live) | Live album | June 7, 2006 | 35 |
| Ryuuou-Shugyoku (龍凰珠玉; Jewel of Dragon and Phoenix) | "Best of" compilation album | December 4, 2013 | 18 |

### Singles

| Title | Release date | Peak Japanese Chart Position |
| Ouka no Kotowari (桜花ノ理; Logic of Cherry Blossoms) | August 19, 2000 | did not chart |
| Tsuki ni Murakumo Hana ni Kaze (月に叢雲花に風; Moon in the Clouds, Flower in the Wind) | December 16, 2001 | did not chart |
| Youka Ninpocho (妖花忍法帖; Ninja Magic Story of Voluptuous Flower) | December 25, 2002 | 57 |
| Houyoku-Tenshou (鳳翼天翔; Soaring Phoenix Wing) | June 4, 2003 | 66 |
| Mezame (醒; Awakening) | October 1, 2003 | 30 |
| Nemuri (睡; Sleep) | January 7, 2004 | 40 |
| Kumikyoku "Yoshitsune" - Akki Hogan (組曲『義経』～悪忌判官; "Yoshitsune" Musical Suite - The Abhorrer of Evil ) | September 23, 2004 | 30 |
| Kumikyoku "Yoshitsune" - Muma Enjou (組曲『義経』～夢魔炎上; Blazing Nightmare ) | October 27, 2004 | 32 |
| Kumikyoku "Yoshitsune" - Raise Kaikou (組曲『義経』～来世邂逅; Reunite in Afterworld ) | November 26, 2004 | 33 |
| Kouga Ninpocho (甲賀忍法帖: Ninja Magic Story of the Kouga) Basilisk TV animation theme song | April 27, 2005 | 31 |
| Kokui no Tennyo　(黒衣の天女; Black-Robed Celestial Maiden) | June 27, 2007 | 14 |
| Kureha　(紅葉; Kureha) "Kureha" is a name of legendary female Oni. | August 6, 2008 | 15 |
| Soukoku/Doukoku (相剋/慟哭; Rivalry/Lament) The Inugami Clan Nintendo DS game soft theme songs | January 21, 2009 | 13 |
| Aoki Dokugan (蒼き独眼; The Blue One-eyed ) A song tributes to Date Masamune | August 26, 2009 | 17 |
| Konpeki no Soujin (紺碧の双刃; Azure twin blades ) Announced as a sequel to Aoki Dokugan | February 9, 2011 | 23 |
| Seiten no Mikazuki (青天の三日月; Crescent moon in the blue sky) Announced as a sequel to Konpeki no Soujin | March 19, 2014 | 19 |
| Ouka Ninpouchou (桜花忍法帖; Ninja Scroll of Cherry Blossoms) Theme song for Basilisk: The Ōka Ninja Scrolls, sequel to the 2005 animation | January 10, 2018 | 15 |

### Live Performances

| Title | Media Type | Release date | Peak Japanese Chart Position |
| Hyakki-Korinden (百鬼降臨伝; The Legend of Descent of Hundred Demons) | VHS DVD | January 10, 2002 February 14, 2004 | did not chart |
| Hakkou-Ranbu (白光乱舞; White Shining Boisterous Dance) | DVD | June 25, 2003 | 40 |
| Wagashikabane wo Koeteyuke (我屍越行; Go Beyond the Corpse of Mine) | DVD | March 2, 2005 | 28 |
| Yuugen-Reibu (幽玄霊舞; The Live for Profoundness and Sprits) | DVD | August 22, 2005 | Fanclub only |
| Shugyoku-Enbu (珠玉宴舞; The Jewel of Feast and Dance) | DVD | June 21, 2006 | 40 |
| Tenkafubu (天下布舞; Conquer the World with Pageant) | DVD | January 23, 2008 | 44 |
| Ryuou Rinbu (龍凰輪舞; Rondo of Dragon and Phoenix) | DVD | April 21, 2010 | 24 |
| Shikigami Raibu (式神雷舞; Shikigami Thunder Live) | DVD | July 1, 2010 | Fanclub only |
| Zekkai Enbu (絶界演舞; Hidden World Live) | DVD | September 5, 2012 | 6 |
| Shikigami Oubu (式神謳舞; Shikigami Celebration Live) | DVD | December 13, 2013 | Fanclub only |
| Fujin Raibu (風神雷舞; Wind God Live) | DVD/Blu-ray | September 9, 2015 | 15 |
| Raijin Raibu (雷神雷舞; Thunder God Live) | DVD/Blu-ray | September 9, 2015 | 16 |
| Zetten Ranbu (絶巓鸞舞; Absolute Dance) | DVD/Blu-ray | June 14, 2017 | 6 |
| Hadou Seibu (覇道征舞) | DVD/Blu-ray | March 13, 2019 | 10 |