Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

陰陽寮 (onyouryou) Japanese meaning: Bureau of Onmyō | Kotomora

陰陽寮おんようりょう

also: おんみょうりょう · おんようのつかさ · うらのつかさ

お

ん

よ

う

りょ

う

Meanings

1

Bureau of Onmyō; government office for astronomy, divination, and calendar-making

historical term

Historical term for a bureau under the ritsuryō system that handled astronomical observations, divination, and calendar creation.

陰陽寮おんようりょうは律りつ令りょう制せいのもとで天てん文もんや暦こよみを

担たん

当とう

し

た

役やく

所しょ

です

。

The Bureau of Onmyō was a government office responsible for astronomy and calendars under the ritsuryō system.

Kanji

陰shade, yin, negative
陽sunshine, yang principle, positive
寮dormitory, hostel, villa

Related words

陰陽道おんみょうどう
陰陽道 is the broader practice of Onmyōdō (yin-yang divination), while 陰陽寮 specifically refers to the historical government bureau.
律りつ令りょう制せい
律令制 is the ritsuryō legal system under which 陰陽寮 operated.

Written forms

陰陽寮
- おんようりょう
  Standard kanji spelling for this historical government office.
- おんみょうりょう
  Alternate reading; おんようりょう is more standard.
- おんようのつかさ
  Japanese-style reading; rarely used outside historical glosses.
- うらのつかさ
  Alternate Japanese-style reading; very rare.
うらのつかさ
おんみょうりょう
おんようのつかさ

Etymology

From 陰陽 (on'yō, 'yin-yang') + 寮 (ryō, 'dormitory; bureau'). The reading おんようりょう is standard; おんみょうりょう reflects a common shift in the reading of 陰陽.