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.^[2]

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.^[3]

• Matatabi – bass guitar, vocals, leader
• Kuroneko – vocals
• Maneki – guitar, backing vocals
• Karukan – guitar

Support members

• Dobashi Makoto – drums, percussion
• Abe Masahiro – keyboards

Former members

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

Each of the band member's stage names feature a double entendre with a sense of humor and make references to cats.^[3]

• 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) is pronounced like the word "tiger", but its reading is the same as tabby. It also refers to him being a Hanshin Tigers fan.

Matatabi was influenced by heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest,^[4] Annihilator, Destruction,^[5] and Rush.^[4] Osamu Tezuka and Futaro Yamada had a significant influence on him.^[4] Matatabi also hailed Ningen Isu as the precedent playing heavy metal and singing in Japanese.^[6] Kuroneko said she respects Ronnie James Dio as her eternal goal.^[4] In addition to that, her inspirations included Kenji Miyazawa and Zdzisław Beksiński.^[4] Karukan cites Jason Becker, Maneki and Paul Gilbert as his main influences.^[4] He practiced songs by "Shrapnel" Artists back in the day such as Jason Becker, Richie Kotzen, Greg Howe and so on,^[7] and covered Megadeth's songs along with Maneki.^[4] Maneki listed Gary Moore's "Blues Alive" as his favorite album.^[4]

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. "Soōkoku/Dōkoku" 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.

• Official website