From: Fuu-chan First of all, I'd like to thank Jan, Rurichan, Doc Megumi, Erin, and Kaoschan for the praise and comments (my dear little ego loves praise so much ^^). To answer the question I've been asked, and to follow up on remarks, here are a few notes on Onmyoujutsu. Sorry to send this so late, but I've been extremely busy lately. I hope they'll answer most of the questions. If they don't, blame my insufficient knowledge of things magical ^^; Fuu-chan. -------- Onmuyoujutsu: to make matters simple, it's Eastern magic, which is related to the world of the spirits, either spirits of the dead (ghosts), or simply spirits. Hence the function of a family like the Sumeragi which are perceived as exorcists who rid people or places of curses, free lost souls, etc. Onmyouji: onmyoujutsu wielder. Ofuda: the ofuda is a small rectangle of paper on which is written a single character (never saw a true one, so I can only guess what's written on them) representing a sound. From my small understanding, spells are cast using those ofudas (although some onmyoujutsu wielders don't use ofudas, but don't ask me why, they must have another "device", or way to channel their power) and speaking out the sounds of the spells the right way (this is a personal view, once again, I'm no magic expert ^^;) Shikigami: all onmyoujutsu wielders enter in harmony with the "spirit world" or "world of the invisible", and have a counterpart in this "world". That's what the shikigami is. It has no will, no personality, no existence of its own, it is the reflection of the onmyouji, a projection of him/herself. Its shape and nature thus reflect a certain truth of the onmyouji. Tokio's is a raven, not a crow. A raven because she has a dark side to her, in terms of moods and that, but there is a nobility and strength that I associate with the raven which are there too. Keisuke's is an eagle. Now from that, you can draw any conclusion you like as to Keisuke's true nature.... Sakanagi: the backlash effect caused by spell casting. When an onmyouji casts a spell, s/he must always ward him/herself against its backlash. It is an inavoidable consequence of spell-casting: a fraction of your spell will come back and strike at you, wherever you are, unless you take precautions to protect yourself and those around you. The means of protection will vary depending on the caster. There are VERY nasty ways of protecting oneself, like using substitutes and sacrificing other living beings whom the backlash will strike instead of you. Tokio uses meditation and rigid practices of disciplin (fasting, ritual baths of cold waters, etc.) Tokyo Babylon unfortunately doesn't exist as a TV series. It exists only as a manga (one of the best I've ever read, a masterpiece imho) by the famous group of mangaka called Clamp, and 2 OVAs of only VERY small interest to one who doesn't know TB, simply because they are side stories which BARELY brush past the core of this fantastic story. The manga has been translated in French, but to my knowledge hasn't made it in the US or the UK or any other English-speaking country. Perhaps there is a Chinese version?.... -- This is the year of the hungry man / This is the year of the guilty man Whose place is in the past / Your television takes a stand Hand in hand with ignorance / And you find that what was over there And legitimate excuses / is over here The rich declare themselves poor / So you scream behind your door It's so hard to love, there's so much to hate.... (G.Michael / Praying for Time) --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- Get great offers on top-notch products that match your interests! Sign up for eLerts at: Click Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------