is a Japanese heavy metal band from Osaka, who released their first album in 1999.
History 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.
Band members 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)
Stage names Each of the band member's stage names feature a double entendre with a sense of humor and make references to cats.
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 "evil". 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.
Influences Matatabi was influenced by heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest, Annihilator, Destruction, and Rush. Osamu Tezuka and Futaro Yamada had a significant influence on him. Matatabi also hailed Ningen Isu as the precedent playing heavy metal and singing in Japanese.陰陽座が明かす、妖怪をコンセプトに掲げる理由「海外のバンドが竜や魔法や騎士なら、こっちは妖怪だ」 – Real Sound｜リアルサウンド・2017年11月12日閲覧。 Kuroneko said she respects Ronnie James Dio as her eternal goal. In addition to that, her inspirations included Kenji Miyazawa and Zdzisław Beksiński. Karukan cites Jason Becker, Maneki and Paul Gilbert as his main influences. He practiced songs by "Shrapnel" Artists back in the day such as Jason Becker, Richie Kotzen, Greg Howe and so on, and covered Megadeth's songs along with Maneki. Maneki listed Gary Moore's "Blues Alive" as his favorite album.
Themes and inspiration 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.
Discography Studio albums TitleRelease datePeak Japanese chart positionKikoku-Tenshō (鬼哭転生; Wailing Reincarnation)December 5, 1999did not chartHyakki-Ryōran (百鬼繚乱; Welter of Hundred Demons)December 24, 2000did not chartKojin-Rasetsu (煌神羅刹; Coruscating God Raksasa)January 10, 200249www.oricon.co.jp 陰陽座のアルバム売り上げランキング Retrieved August 14, 2025.Fūin-Kairan (封印廻濫; Circulating Seal)July 24, 200263Hōyoku-Rindō (鳳翼麟瞳; Phoenix Wing, Unicorn's Eye)January 22, 200323Mugen-Hōyō (夢幻泡影; Illusion of Vapor and Shadow)March 3, 200427Garyo-Tensei (臥龍點睛; Finishing Touch)June 22, 200520Maō-Taiten (魔王戴天; Evil Lord Takes Heaven)July 25, 200713Chimimōryō (魑魅魍魎; Evil River and Mountain Spirits)September 10, 20089Kongōkyūbi (金剛九尾; Sturdy Dazzling Ninetails)September 9, 200913Kishi Bojin (鬼子母神; Mother of Devils)December 21, 201113Fūjin Kaikō (風神界逅; Fūjin Against the Realms)September 24, 201410Raijin Sōsei (雷神創世; Genesis of Raijin)September 24, 201411Karyō Binga (迦陵頻伽; "Kalavinka")November 30, 20167Hadō Myōō (覇道明王; High-handed Wisdom King)June 6, 201811Ryūō-Dōji (龍凰童子; Legacy of the Dragon King)January 18, 20236Ginmio Gozen (吟澪御前)August 6, 202511
Compilations TitleAlbum typeRelease datePeak Japanese chart positionSekinetsu-Enbu (赤熱演舞; Red Hot Dance)Live albumJune 25, 200368In'yō-Shugyoku (陰陽珠玉; Jewel of Yin and Yang)"Best of" compilation albumFebruary 8, 200614Onmyō-Live (陰陽雷舞; Onmyou Thunder Live)Live albumJune 7, 200635Ryūō-Shugyoku (龍凰珠玉; Jewel of Dragon and Phoenix)"Best of" compilation albumDecember 4, 201318
Live Albums TitleRelease datePeak Japanese chart positionGinreisaibuMarch 18, 2026did not chart
Singles TitleRelease datePeak Japanese chart position"Ōka no Kotowari" (桜花ノ理; Logic of Cherry Blossoms)August 19, 2000did not chart"Tsuki ni Murakumo Hana ni Kaze" (月に叢雲花に風; Moon in the Clouds, Flower in the Wind)December 16, 2001did not chart"Yōka Ninpocho" (妖花忍法帖; Ninja Magic Story of Voluptuous Flower)December 25, 200257www.oricon.co.jp 陰陽座のシングル売り上げランキング Retrieved June 23, 2014"Hōyoku-Tenshō" (鳳翼天翔; Soaring Phoenix Wing)June 4, 200366"Mezame" (醒; Awakening)October 1, 200330"Nemuri" (睡; Sleep)January 7, 200440"Kumikyoku "Yoshitsune" – Akki Hogan" (組曲『義経』～悪忌判官; "Yoshitsune" Musical Suite – The Abhorrer of Evil )September 23, 200430"Kumikyoku "Yoshitsune" – Muma Enjō" (組曲『義経』～夢魔炎上; Blazing Nightmare )October 27, 200432"Kumikyoku "Yoshitsune" – Raise Kaikō" (組曲『義経』～来世邂逅; Reunite in Afterworld )November 26, 200433"Kōga Ninpocho" (甲賀忍法帖: Ninja Magic Story of the Kouga) Basilisk TV animation theme songApril 27, 200531"Kokui no Tennyo" (黒衣の天女; Black-Robed Celestial Maiden)June 27, 200714"Kureha" (紅葉; Kureha) "Kureha" is a name of legendary female Oni.August 6, 200815"Sōkoku/Dōkoku" (相剋/慟哭; Rivalry/Lament) The Inugami Clan Nintendo DS game soft theme songsJanuary 21, 200913"Aoki Dokugan" (蒼き独眼; The Blue One-eyed ) A song tributes to Date MasamuneAugust 26, 200917"Konpeki no Sōjin" (紺碧の双刃; Azure twin blades ) Announced as a sequel to Aoki DokuganFebruary 9, 201123"Seiten no Mikazuki" (青天の三日月; Crescent moon in the blue sky) Announced as a sequel to Konpeki no SōjinMarch 19, 201419"Ōka Ninpōchō" (桜花忍法帖; Ninja Scroll of Cherry Blossoms) Theme song for Basilisk: The Ōka Ninja Scrolls, sequel to the 2005 animationJanuary 10, 201815
Live performances TitleMedia typeRelease datePeak Japanese chart positionHyakki-Korinden (百鬼降臨伝; The Legend of Descent of Hundred Demons)VHSDVDJanuary 10, 2002 February 14, 2004did not chartHakkō-Ranbu (白光乱舞; White Shining Boisterous Dance)DVDJune 25, 200340www.oricon.co.jp 陰陽座のシングル売り上げランキング Retrieved June 23, 2014Wagashikabane wo Koeteyuke (我屍越行; Go Beyond the Corpse of Mine)DVDMarch 2, 200528Yūgen-Reibu (幽玄霊舞; The Live for Profoundness and Sprits)DVDAugust 22, 2005Fanclub onlyShugyoku-Enbu (珠玉宴舞; The Jewel of Feast and Dance)DVDJune 21, 200640Tenkafubu (天下布舞; Conquer the World with Pageant)DVDJanuary 23, 200844Ryuō Rinbu (龍凰輪舞; Rondo of Dragon and Phoenix)DVDApril 21, 201024Shikigami Raibu (式神雷舞; Shikigami Thunder Live)DVDJuly 1, 2010Fanclub onlyZekkai Enbu (絶界演舞; Hidden World Live)DVDSeptember 5, 20126Shikigami Ōbu (式神謳舞; Shikigami Celebration Live)DVDDecember 13, 2013Fanclub onlyFujin Raibu (風神雷舞; Wind God Live)DVD/Blu-raySeptember 9, 201515Raijin Raibu (雷神雷舞; Thunder God Live)DVD/Blu-raySeptember 9, 201516Zetten Ranbu (絶巓鸞舞; Absolute Dance)DVD/Blu-rayJune 14, 20176Hadō Seibu (覇道征舞)DVD/Blu-rayMarch 13, 201910
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