Koyomi Kaikan

SPOT 15

Ohi Town

It was the current Natasho, Ohi Town where descendants of Abe no Seimei, famous as an Onmyoji (Yin-Yang Master), moved and lived during the Warring States period. The Koyomi Kaikan (Calendar Museum), a museum of "Calendars" and "Astronomy," was built in such a place with a connection. Materials and models related to various fields governed by Onmyoji, such as astronomy, calendar studies, and divination, are exhibited.

Onmyoji have an image like psychics, but in reality, there were also government posts in the Imperial Court that acquired astronomy and calendar studies to create calendars and perform fortune-telling. This is a rare museum in Japan dealing with "Calendars" as such an academic discipline.

Onmyoji Were Also Officials in Charge of Astronomy and Calendar Studies

Due to the influence of novels and manga, Onmyoji currently have an image of beings who exterminate vengeful spirits with magic and shikigami, but there were also Onmyoji who were like national public servants performing calendar creation. Many of the Tsuchimikado family, descended from Abe no Seimei, served as the head of Onmyo-ryo (Bureau of Divination).

The calendar methods and Yin-Yang Five Elements theory transmitted from China in the 6th to 7th centuries are rooted in Japanese lifestyle habits even today. The Zodiac of Jikkan Junishi (Ten Celestial Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches) is known to everyone, and calendars like Risshun (start of spring) and Keichitsu (awakening of insects) are heard as things indicating the change of seasons.

Onmyodo dealt with studies related to nature observation such as astronomy, calendars, time, and divination, which have a close relationship with the Yin-Yang Five Elements theory. From the Nara period to the middle ages when vengeful spirits and curses were still believed in, they also became beings who handled divination and magic to avoid disasters.

A Base of Onmyodo Where Descendants of Abe no Seimei Moved

The Tsuchimikado family moved to the land of Natasho for 3 generations over about 120 years escaping the fires of the Onin War in the Muromachi period. They opened a dojo for astronomy and calendar studies. From this connection, the Koyomi Kaikan (Calendar Museum) was built in Natasho, Ohi Town.

It is a museum with the themes of the "Abe Family" and "History of Calendars," housing about 1000 exhibits such as old astronomical instruments and calendars from old times in a Log-house style building (Azekura-zukuri). A part of these is on permanent display.

It might be difficult to approach without knowledge of history, but if the timing is right, a curator will explain it in an easy-to-understand manner. Many restored models such as Rokokukei (water clock) and Kontengi (astronomical instrument) are also exhibited.

SPOT INFORMATION

Facility Name: Koyomi Kaikan
Address: 917-0375
111-7 Natashonotaoi, Ohi-cho, Ohi-gun, Fukui Prefecture
Phone Number: 0770-67-2876
Website: https://ooi-koyomi.info
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
(Last entry 16:00)
Closed: Wednesdays (the following day if it is a holiday)
Year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
Admission Fee: General: 200 yen
Elementary/Junior High School Students: 100 yen
*10% discount for groups (15 people or more)
Parking: Available (Free)
Standard cars: 30 spaces

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