A Study on the Application of the Shinsal in Abe Taizan’s Saju-Chumyeonghak

The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics and application of Shinsal(神煞) as persented in Abe Taizan’s Saju-Chumyeonghak(四柱 推命學), and to compare and apply them in relation to traditional Chinese classical Myeongni(命理). Shinsal originates from Oseonghak(五星學) and Chiljeongsayeo(七政四餘), and serven as a collective term for various concepts related to the Ohaeng(五行), such as Taegwabulgeub(太過不及), and interactions like Hyeongchungpahaehab(刑沖破害合). It has been used in Jeomdan(占斷) and Jeomseongsul(占星術) to predict Gilhyung(吉凶). Accordingly, ‘Shin(神)’ refers to Gilsung(吉星), while ‘Sal(煞)’ refers to Hyeongsung(凶星), and their presence or absence continues to be utilized today depending on their perceived Hyoyong(效用). In classical Chinese Myeongni, texts such as Yeonhae Japyeong(淵海子平), Myeongni Jeongjong(命理正宗) and Sammyeong Tonghoe(三命通會) discuss Shinsal in a positive light through extensive theoretical reasoning and inference. However, works like Myeongliyag-eon(命理約言), Japyeongjinjeon(子平眞 銓) and Jjeogcheonsucheonmi(滴天髓闡微) take a negative stance toward Shinsal. The reason is that it is difficult to determine Gilhyung(吉凶) due to the challenges in accurately discerning the Gang-yag(强弱) of Eumyang-ohaeng(陰 陽五行), as well as identifying the Yongsin(用神) and Gyeoggug(格局). thus, it can be seen that as Classical Myeongni theory approaches modern times, its perspective tends to lean more toward skepticism regarding Shinsal. In contrast, Saju-Chumyeonghak presents a different view of Shinsal, It notes that some Shinsal encompass both Gilsung and Hyeongsin(凶神) qualities, and that even a Hyeongsin cannot be defintively labeled as harmful, just as a Gilsung may turn inauspicious depending on the context. The text emphasizes that Shinsal serves a supplementary role, depending on the combination of elements in the Saju(四柱). As demonstrated in various case studies, Gyeoggug(格局) and the Ohaeng are taken as primary factors, but Shinsal is actively employed in the analysis of Gongmang(空亡) and 12 Unseong(運星). this approach marks a clear distinction from traditional Myeongni texts that tend to reject the use of Shinsal.