54 - Nine-character Charm

【九字、ku-ji】

This is a secret mantra of self-defense in Onmyoudou and Esoteric Buddhism. While using the index and middle fingers as a sword and cutting the air with the two fingers, one must chant the nine characters of

臨 (Rin)

兵 (Pyou)

闘 (Tou)

者 (Sha)

皆 (Kai)

陣 (Jin)

列 (Retsu)

在 (Zai)

前 (Zen)

[My dictionary says their collective meaning is "may the presiders over warriors be my vanguard", please consider it to be the more accurate translation than the following one]

This charm has its roots in Taoism, and can be found in the fourth-century Chinese book "Houbokuji", which states, "Present soldiers, warriors, one and all, join the battle formation, standing before me".

The sword gesture used while reciting the nine characters is called the "sword mudra" [Mudra is the name given to symbolic Buddhist hand gestures], which is believed to slice through the air, driving out evil. In addition to cutting with the sword mudra, each of the nine characters has a corresponding mudra, and by forming each mudra subsequently with both hands, sacred vibrations are generated and evil is purged.

Although the nine-character charm is one of the basic techniques of Shingon esoteric Buddhism, the actual performance of the nine-character charm requires a well-trained mind and imagination, it is not something that can be easily performed by an amateur.

The ninja, who are said to have had their roots in Shingon esoteric Buddhism and Onmyouji, are said to have practiced this nine-character charm as well, but it's believed to have been mainly for the purpose of mental concentration.

52 - Automatic Muscular Motion

【筋自動運動、kin-jidou-undou】

Also known as involuntary muscle movement. It is an instinctual movement of the human muscles, in which the muscles contract and move the body, albeit only slightly, and without the person being aware of it.

It is said that these phenomena occur due to muscular torsion, especially in a tense state. Mr. Kokkuri and dowsing are believed to be caused by such unconscious muscle movements.

However, other theories suggest that it is because the brain senses some pervading supernatural abnormality or alteration in the area, and this subconsciously moves the muscles.

42 - Fox Possession

【狐憑き、kitsune-tsuki】

In the past, the phenomenon of a person suddenly emitting strange noises as if possessed by some beast, or walking around in their arms and legs like an animal, was called "fox possession", and was thought to be caused by a fox spirit possessing the person.

Today, with the development of science and medicine, these phenomena have been shown to be caused by mental illness, head trauma, or addiction to alcohol or drugs. However, in the past, it was thought to be a sickness that could not be cured by a doctor, caused by possession by a fox.

In recent years, only such pathological phenomena are considered to be fox possession. Indeed, if one only looks at this aspect, fox possession may seem very evil, but it greatly influenced ancient beliefs.

Since ancient times, there have been "tsukimono", or "possessors", in Japan. [Lit. Things that possess] "Tsukimono" were animal spirits employed by people, and it was believed that by using these "tsukimono", they could curse others or draw in the wealth of other people's households. Those cursed and possessed by "tsukimono" showed animalistic behavior.

Although it may not seem plausible today, this idea may have functioned as a way of explaining otherwise inconceivable things such as regional wealth disparities or unknown illnesses. In other words, if a person contracted an unidentified disease, it was because they were "possessed", and if a family suddenly began to prosper, it was because they owned a "tsukimono", thereby explaining the situation.

When someone was possessed by something or made ill, and could not be cured by a doctor, the curse or misfortune would be exorcised through blessing and prayer by a specialized Onmyouji [Monks/sorcerers who mastered the manipulation of yin and yang] or other such practitioners.

The phenomenon of fox possession is a relatively new idea that began in modern times. Traditionally, foxes were thought of as messengers of the gods who heralded the harvest of rice crops, and while they were revered, they were also believed to be beasts that could bewitch people.

In the Edo period, the fox was revered as a guardian deity of fertility and prosperity, but was also associated with the true nature of various yokai, and was considered to have both a "holy" and "evil" face. These trends of fox deities and fox apparitions, combined with traditional prayers and sorcery, led to the belief that "foxes possess people".

In this process, a distorted perception was left behind, isolating only the disastrous aspect of "disease of unknown cause" = "possessed by a fox" = "spiritual disease". However, it is an undeniable fact that many legends of "bringing wealth" remain from the past, and such a way of thinking can be said to have fulfilled an admirable social function.

To understand these phenomena correctly, it is necessary to realize that there existed a system unique to the early modern period that cannot be rationally explained by modern science and medicine.