The Ten Shadows Technique (
Contents
Process of Technique
The actual process of creating shikigami is relatively unknown. It is implied that a sorcerer will have to knead their own cursed energy to form the shikigami, with an outline in mind for how they would like the shikigami to look [2]. Shikigami also require some level of purification or must surrender to the sorcerer controlling them, but it is unclear what this involves.[3]
To use a shikigami, a sorcerer must make a certain hand signs and use a talisman, charm, or particular thing as an intermediary, to form and summon a shikigami of their choice. It is implied that most shikigami users require some form of charm or talisman as a medium or intermediary in order to summon and control shikigami [4]. However, this appears to be contested later, so it remains unclear whether this is a common prerequisite for shikigami users [5].[6] The shikigami will then appear and act on the command of the user.
Shikigami have been seen to take on the characteristics of animals such as dogs, snakes, birds, toads, and elephants. They can differ in size and ability considerably. The shikigami seen so far all have certain symbols or patterns on parts of their bodies, which resemble the symbols of the Ten Sacred Treasures/Regalia in Shinto tradition (十種神宝, Tokusa no Kandakara).
Strengths
- Given that the sorcerer forms the shikigami from their own cursed energy and in a desired image, shikigami can be used for a variety of uses extending beyond just exorcising curses, such as surveillance and scouting.
- Shikigami use is not limited to those who can use the particular cursed technique. Some shikigami allegedly can be used by those unable to use cursed technique [7].
- Once a shikigami is created and summoned, they can be dispelled and re-summoned as many times as necessary. Even when destroyed, the cursed energy that formed the shikigami will return to the sorcerer that created it and will be recycled in a new shikigami, which will take on certain characteristics of that deceased shikigami [8].
Weaknesses
- Shikigami can be destroyed or broken [9]. Once destroyed, they cannot be summoned again [10].
- There may be a limit to how many shikigami can be summoned at once [11].
- There may be a time limit for how long a shikigami can be summoned and used for; however, this also was interpreted to mean that the relationship between the summoned shikigami and the summoning sorcerer may be interrupted [12]. [13]
- Certain shikigami called "the Seiteishirazu: Bottomless" are different to other shikigami in either their regenerative aspect or their ability to be re-summoned once they have been destroyed, but it is unclear what the difference is [14].
Side Effects
- None.
List of Shikigami
Megumi Fushiguro
- Divine Dogs: Two shikigami dogs (One Black and One White) that chase and devour curses. Megumi summons these shikigami by bringing his hands together, and forming them in the shape of a dog head.
- Divine Dog: Totality: After the white Jade Hound was destroyed, Megumi is able to summon a stronger version of the Black Jade hound. Megumi summons this shikigami the same way as he does with his Jade Hounds.
- Nue: An owl-like Shikigami that can fly. This shikigami is strong enough to carry a human, and its offensive abilities are mostly dive attacks from the sky. Megumi summons this shikigami by bringing his hands together, and forming them in the shape of a pair of wings.
- The Well's Unknown Abyss: Megumi combines his toad and chimera shikigami to create toad that can fly.
- Great Serpent: A giant snake shikigami which can be used as a surprise attack coming out of the ground and binding opponents. Megumi summons this shikigami by forming one hand in the shape of a snake head. This shikigami was destroyed by Sukuna.
- Toad: Multiple large shikigami toads that use their tongues to pin opponents and hold them down. Megumi summons these shikigami by bringing his hands together and forming a frog face.
- Max Elephant: An elephant shikigami that releases a torrent of water from its trunk. Megumi summons this shikigami by bringing his hands together and forming an elephant's head.
- Escape Rabbit: A large amount of Rabbit shikigami that distract the enemy so that the user can escape. Megumi summons this shikigami by bringing his hands together and forming a rabbit.
- Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga:
References
- ↑ Chapter 43
- ↑ Chapter 58
- ↑ Chapter 44
- ↑ Chapter 9
- ↑ Chapter 68
- ↑ In Chapter 9, Megumi's shikigami are alleged to be unique because they use shadows rather than a charm (SJ) or talisman (JB, MR) as a medium or intemediary (Chapter 9). However, in Chapter 68, Geto's opponent comments that Geto's use of curses without an intermediary is "like shikigami users" (SJ). It could be inferred from this that summoning cursed spirits (including shikigami) without an intermediary is actually not uncommon to the Zenin clan, or was not uncommon at the time of the flashback.
- ↑ Chapter 12
- ↑ Chapter 47
- ↑ Chapter 9
- ↑ Chapter 47
- ↑ Chapter 43
- ↑ Chapter 9
- ↑ The Viz translation provided the former option, whereas the Jaimini's Box translation provided the latter.
- ↑ Chapter 47
