"Demon Slayer: Who is Tanjiro's Father? Unraveling the 3 Mysteries of Kamado Tanjuro: Strength, Mark, and Hinokami Kagura"

Preface: The Most Low-Key Strongest Character in Demon Slayer

In the story of "Demon Slayer," the protagonist Tanjiro's growth journey is filled with help from benefactors and self-breakthroughs. However, among all the characters who influenced him, one character's existence is crucial yet incredibly mysterious—that is his father, Tanjuro Kamado. Tanjuro had already passed away from illness before the story began, appearing only in Tanjiro's memories. Yet, the teachings and figure he left behind were the key for Tanjiro to break through his limits at critical life-and-death moments. How many secrets did this frail, sickly charcoal seller hide? This article will take you through solving the three major mysteries surrounding Tanjiro's father.

Who is Tanjuro Kamado? The Gentle, Frail Father

Tanjuro Kamado is the father of the protagonist Tanjiro and Nezuko, an ordinary man who made a living selling charcoal. In Tanjiro's memories, his father was bedridden for long periods, extremely weak in body, with a calm and peaceful personality, showing almost no emotional fluctuations, described as a "person like a plant." Despite his seemingly frail appearance, he was the important figure who passed down the family's hereditary "Hinokami Kagura" and the Hanafuda earrings to Tanjiro.

Mystery One: The Inheritor of Hinokami Kagura and Sun Breathing

During his battle with Lower Rank Five "Rui," Tanjiro first unleashed a powerful slash using the "Hinokami Kagura" stance, which originated from his father Tanjuro's teachings.

"Hinokami Kagura" is a ceremonial dance passed down through generations in the Kamado family. At the beginning of each year, the male family members would perform this dance to pray for protection from disasters and illness. What's puzzling is that the frail Tanjuro could dance this highly demanding dance all night without stopping. Later in the story, it's revealed that this Kagura dance is actually a variation of the lost "Original Breathing: Sun Breathing."

Tanjiro's ancestor, Sumiyoshi Kamado, was a close friend of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the creator of Sun Breathing. During the lowest point of his life, Yoriichi visited Sumiyoshi's family and demonstrated all the forms of Sun Breathing before them. Sumiyoshi memorized these dance-like sword forms and passed them down in the form of a "Kagura dance," thus preserving Sun Breathing in another form to this day. Therefore, although Tanjuro was not a Demon Slayer Corps member, he was one of the most orthodox inheritors of Sun Breathing.

Mystery Two: Natural Demon Slayer Mark and "Transparent World"

The two major leaps in Tanjiro's strength—the "Demon Slayer Mark" and "Transparent World"—are both closely related to his father Tanjuro.

• Natural Demon Slayer Mark: Demon Slayer swordsmen develop "marks" that greatly enhance their power when their body temperature reaches 39°C and heart rate exceeds 200 BPM, but the cost is they cannot live past 25 years old. However, the scar on Tanjuro's left forehead was actually a natural, innate Demon Slayer Mark. Not only did he live past 25 (based on Tanjiro's age, Tanjuro died in his at least 30s), but he was another exception who broke this curse after Yoriichi Tsugikuni. This also explains why Kyojuro Rengoku's father, Shinjuro Rengoku, initially mistook Tanjiro for the "chosen one of Sun Breathing" upon seeing the scar on his forehead.

• Transparent World: When Tanjiro was struggling in his battle against Upper Rank Three "Akaza," he recalled his father's teachings and consequently comprehended the "Transparent World." This is the highest realm that allows one to see through an opponent's body and predict their movements. In Tanjiro's childhood memories, his sickly father once took him to face a giant bear. Using only an axe, Tanjuro cleanly decapitated the bear before it could attack. Afterwards, he explained to Tanjiro the trick to entering the "Transparent World," planting the most important seed for Tanjiro's future awakening.

Mystery Three: How Strong Was Tanjuro Kamado?

Based on the above points, we can conclude: Tanjuro Kamado was a top-tier master with unfathomable strength. Although he was not a swordsman and never fought demons, he mastered:

1. The purest Sun Breathing (Hinokami Kagura).
2. A natural, innate Demon Slayer Mark that didn't require activation.
3. The "Transparent World" that could see through everything.

Tanjuro's strength did not come from muscular power, but from ultimate technique, correct breathing methods, and a state of "selfless realm" that eliminated distractions and united with nature. What he demonstrated to Tanjiro was precisely the method to unleash the greatest power in the most peaceful state. Many fans believe that if Tanjuro had been healthy, his strength would definitely be comparable to, or even surpass, that of the Demon Slayer Corps' "Hashira."

Conclusion

Tanjuro Kamado is a fascinating character in "Demon Slayer." His life was ordinary and brief, yet he left the most precious treasure for his descendants. He was not only the bridge that passed down the Original Breathing, but also used his life to demonstrate to Tanjiro, and to all readers, what "gentle strength" truly means. He is the source of Tanjiro's power and his spiritual benchmark—a true legend hidden behind the scenes.

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