Tamahome, Hotohori, Nuriko... the peculiar and romantic names of the
Seishi who protect Miaka, the Suzaku no Miko, are derived from the 28 constellations
from the star chart that originated from ancient China. The constellations
were divided into 28 constellations situated on the celestial sphere's
ecliptic. Originally it came into existence in order to indicate the position
of the moon on the celestial sphere. It's easy to understand if you consider
that the moon passes a constellation a day for 28 days making a revolution
across the heavens. Incidentally the brightest star in the western extremity
of each constellation is called "kyosei" and is the mark of the constellation.
The 28 constellations are grouped 7 constellations per direction, east,
west, south, and north. Each direction is linked with the Shinjuu that's
in charge of them. (The 4 gods "Southern Suzaku", "Northern Genbu", "Eastern
Seiryuu", and "Western Byakko") The star records that link the 4 gods map
with the 28 constellation map are widely circulated in Chinese culture
circles, and even in Japan, the maps were left behind on the murals of
Nara's Takamatsu-zuka tomb and Kitora tomb. Translation
by Tasuki no Miko
*Translation Note: Kyosei literally means "distant star" |
28 Constellation Comparison Table
Southern Constellations
(Suzaku)
Chinese Name |
Japanese Name |
Kyosei |
|
Chichiri |
Gemini mu |
|
Tamahome |
Cancer theta |
|
Nuriko |
Hydra delta |
|
Hotohori |
Hydra alpha |
|
Chiriko |
Hydra nu |
|
Tasuki |
Crater alpha |
|
Mitsukake |
Corvus gamma |
Eastern Constellations
(Seiryuu)
Chinese Name |
Japanese Name |
Kyosei |
|
Suboshi |
Virgo alpha |
|
Amiboshi |
Virgo kappa |
|
Tomo |
Libra alpha |
|
Soi |
Scorpio pi |
|
Nakago |
Scorpio gamma |
|
Ashitare |
Scorpio mu 1 |
|
Miboshi |
Sagittarius phi |
Northern Constellations
(Genbu)
Chinese Name |
Japanese Name |
Kyosei |
|
Hikitsu |
Sagittarius phi |
|
Inami |
Capricorn beta |
|
Uruki |
Aquarius epsilon |
|
Tomite |
Aquarius beta |
|
Urumiya |
Aquarius alpha |
|
Hatsui |
Pegasus alpha |
|
Namame |
Pegasus gamma |
Western Constellations
(Byakko)
Chinese Name |
Japanese Name |
Kyosei |
|
Takaki |
Andromeda zeta |
|
Tatara |
Aries beta |
|
Kokie |
Aries 35 |
|
Subaru |
Taurus 17 |
|
Amefuri |
Taurus epsilon |
|
Karasuki |
Orion delta |
|
Toroki |
Orion phi |
|