Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master (2001)

Set in the capital city of Kyoto during the Heian period, a magician and fortune teller Onmyoji Seimei is called in to assist Hiromasa to thwart court wizard and minister Doson who is ... See full summary »

Director:

Yôjirô Takita

Writers:

Richard Epcar (script adaptation), Baku Yumemakura

Stars:

Mansai Nomura, Hideaki Itô, Hiroyuki Sanada

6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mansai Nomura	...	Abe no Seimei
Hideaki Itô	...	Minamoto no Hiromasa
Eriko Imai	...	Mitsumushi
Yui Natsukawa	...	Fujiwara no Sukehime
Mai Hosho	...	Uri no onna
Ken'ichi Yajima	...	Fujiwara no Morosuke
Kenjirô Ishimaru	...	Onmyo-gashira
Ken'ichi Ishii	...	Fujiwara no Kaneie
Hôka Kinoshita	...	Kanmu-Ten'nou
Sachiko Kokubu	...	Fujiwara no Tadako
Kenji Yamaki	...	Tachibana no Ukon
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Cansino	...	Fujiwara no Morosuke (voice) (as Edward Zilla)
Peter Doyle	...	Nagamasa (voice) (as Jim Taggert)
Akira Emoto	...	Fujiwara no Motokata
Masato Hagiwara	...	Sawara-Shin'nou

Storyline

Set in the capital city of Kyoto during the Heian period, a magician and fortune teller Onmyoji Seimei is called in to assist Hiromasa to thwart court wizard and minister Doson who is suspected of being at the cusp of orchestrating a coup. With the physical and metaphysical worlds allied the combined force may have a chance to beat back Doson. Magic, surrealism and beauty fill the screen, and air,

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Plot Keywords:

spell | magician | supernatural | severed head | severed hand | 

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Taglines:

In a heart of darkness lies a battle for this world and the next

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Genres:

Action | Fantasy | Drama | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

6 October 2001 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dentsu, Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co., Toho Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

From the Making-Of Documentary on the Special Edition DVD: - Total number of cuts: 1026 - Concept planning: 5 years - Number of days filming: 93 days - Number of days in post-production: 128 days - Location crew: 86 people - SFX crew: 31 people - CG integration staff: 37 people - Total number of crew: 154 people - Those who camped out for the first show: 400 people (at Nihon Gekijo Theater) - Number of theaters: 225 theaters - Number of viewers: 2.2 million people (as of Summer 2001) - Gross at box office: Approx. 3 billion yen (roughly $30 million USD)

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Connections

Followed by Onmyoji 2 (2003)

User Reviews

Mystic Action Movie Japanese Style

The movie's main character Seimei Abe was a real 11th century historical figure, but his life is shrouded in mystery. He is known to be the master of Onmyodo, or the way of yin and yang. He appears as the good guy that protects the emperor and other people who he associates with in this movie.

The movie is a period piece, but it's arranged to look modern, and appeals to the young and old alike. Abe no Seimei (Mansai Nomura) must work in a society where supernatural forces were still part of its landscape. He is on call to solve supernatural problems that occurs to the nobilities of the time including the newly born emperor's son.

The movie is beautifully made. There aren't heavy action in this movie, but the entire story is a sequence of intriguing events. Abe no Seimei goes on a competition with another onmyoji, and proves that he's the top in his field. He's then sought after to solve mysterious occurrences around the palace.

Acting by Mansai Nomura is spot on as Abe no Seimei. Other actors are equally good in their supporting roles. Movie is shot beautifully, but lacks realism, and appears more like a fantasy.Seimei is an unusual hero who the closest equivalent might be Marvel's Dr. Strange. If you like mystic adventure, this movie is for you.