"The shortest spell in the world is a name.
A spell, in simple terms, is a form of bondage.
A name is precisely a thing that binds the fundamental nature of something.”
—Yumemakura Baku, "Onmyoji”
Abeno Seimei, a famous onmyoji from the Heian period in Japan, became well-known to the public through the Onmyoji novel series by Japanese author Yumemakura Baku.
The novels depict the intriguing interactions, deep friendships, and philosophical dialogues between the main character, Seimei, and his loyal friend Hiromasa as they solve one mysterious case after another.
They can be likened to a mystical version of Holmes and Watson, with the enigmatic Seimei and the straightforward yet ghost-fearing Hiromasa, echoing the concept of "yin and yang," different but complementary beings.
Subsequently, Toho, a Japanese film production company, adapted the story into a movie.
It's said that Yumemakura Baku personally chose Nomura Mansai, known primarily for his stage acting despite having some acting experience, to play the role of Abeno Seimei.
Nomura Mansai's portrayal perfectly captured the original character who followed the path of righteousness but had a touch of mystery.
The film's score was composed by Shigeru Umebayashi, a renowned Japanese composer with numerous awards to his name.
His music seamlessly transported the audience to the mysterious Heian period where people, onmyoji, gods, and spirits coexisted.
Fast forward to 2018, and Yuzuru Hanyu, a prodigious figure skater from Japan, achieved back-to-back Winter Olympic victories with his self-choreographed long program, "Seimei."
In order to master every second on the ice and execute flawless movements, Hanyu personally edited and arranged the music (Note 1), reportedly revising it 33 times.
He even recorded his own breathing for the intro to help regulate his breath during the performance.
To perfect his portrayal of the onmyoji character, Hanyu collaborated with his longtime costume designer to create special costumes and sought advice from Nomura Mansai, who portrayed Seimei in the film.
Understanding this background, it's easy to see why "Seimei Suite" became one of Yuzuru Hanyu's most iconic performances.
Diligent practice and extending the meticulous craftsmanship of his skating to his costumes and music arrangement all contributed to creating a classic performance.
Let's appreciate this classic piece:
https://linevoom.line.me/post/1169833632603032643
Note 1: I've personally compared the original soundtrack with Hanyu's rendition, and he not only edited the original music but also added his own adaptations.
These additions indeed make the music more suitable for the performance, adding a finishing touch.
The tracks used in order are:
Onmyoji 1 - Onmyoji
Onmyoji 2 - Araburu Kami (Rampaging God)
Onmyoji 2 - Kekkai (Barrier)
Onmyoji 2 - Himiko to Susano (Himiko and Susano)
Onmyoji 1 - Ichigyo no Fu (Ichigyo Poem)
Onmyoji 1 - Gobosei (Pentagram)
Onmyoji 2 - Onmyoji 2
References:
https://www.lapeople.com/news/m/46322.html
https://www.thenewslens.com/amparticle/62732
https://youtu.be/veWnAPoFjtc?feature=shared
https://imoney.hket.com/article/2045043
