Teito Monogatari
Covers of the 1987 republication. Art by Yoshitaka Amano.
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| Author | Hiroshi Aramata |
|---|---|
| Language | Japanese |
| Genre |
Alternate History Dark Fantasy Historical Fantasy Horror Science Fiction Urban Fantasy |
| Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten |
| Published | 1985--1989 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
Teito Monogatari (帝都物語 lit., The Tale of the Imperial Capital?) is an epic historical dark fantasy/science fiction work; the debut novel of natural history researcher and polymath Hiroshi Aramata. It began circulation in a literary magazine owned by Kadokawa Shoten in 1983, and was published in 10 volumes over the course of 1985–1987. The novel is a romanticized retelling of the 20th-century history of Tokyo from an occultist perspective.
Widely regarded as the first novel to popularize onmyōdō and fūsui mythology in modern Japanese fiction, the work was a major success in its native country. It won the 1987 Nihon SF Taisho Award, sold over 5 million copies in Japan alone, inspired several adaptations as well as a long running literary franchise and started a new wave of occult fiction. Likewise its influence can still be felt to this day.
The work is a re-imagining of the 20th century of Tokyo as influenced by the supernatural. The story contains numerous references to Japanese and Chinese folklore, but the centerpiece of the mythology is the legend of Taira no Masakado, a 10th-century warlord and ferocious onryo who was placated into a guardian kami through centuries of worship.
The plot features many characters, both historical and fictional. Most of the narrative revolves around the cryptohistorical actions of Yasunori Katō, a mysterious former lieutenant of the Imperial Japanese Army who is himself a vengeful oni; a descendant of the people who rebelled against the Japanese Empire in ancient times. With an incredible knowledge of the supernatural and allies in China, Korea and Taiwan; Katō dedicates his life to crippling Tokyo, the seat of power of the modern Japanese Empire. His ruinous ambitions bring him into conflict with some of 20th century Japan's greatest minds including industrialist Eiichi Shibusawa, onmyoji Abe no Seimei's descendant Yasumasa Hirai, authors Koda Rohan and Izumi Kyoka; physicist Torahiko Terada, and author Yukio Mishima. The resulting conflict, involving science, magic and politics; spans 90 years of Japan's history.
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