Introduction
Tanjiro Kamado is the main protagonist of the popular anime and manga series Demon Slayer. He is a kind-hearted and courageous boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by a demon, except for his sister Nezuko, who is turned into a demon herself. Tanjiro’s goal is to find a way to restore Nezuko’s humanity and avenge his family.
One of the mysteries that surrounds Tanjiro is his connection to Sumiyoshi, a man who looks remarkably like him and who lived centuries ago. Sumiyoshi was a close friend of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary first demon slayer who mastered the Sun Breathing technique. Sumiyoshi also inherited the Hinokami Kagura, a dance that incorporates the Sun Breathing moves, from Yoriichi and passed it down to his descendants, including Tanjiro.
But who exactly is Sumiyoshi and how is he related to Tanjiro? Is he Tanjiro’s ancestor or reincarnation? What is the significance of their resemblance and their shared breathing style? In this article, we will explore these questions and try to unravel the mystery of the Kamado family.
Sumiyoshi’s History
Sumiyoshi was a coal burner who lived during the Sengoku period, a time of civil war and chaos in Japan. He was a humble and honest man who had a wife named Suyako and two children, a daughter named Sumire and a son whose name is unknown. He also had a scar on his forehead, similar to Tanjiro’s.
Sumiyoshi’s life changed when he encountered Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the first and strongest demon slayer in history. Yoriichi was born with a rare condition called the Demon Slayer Mark, which granted him enhanced physical abilities and senses. He also developed the Sun Breathing, the original and most powerful breathing style that mimics the sun’s movements and can destroy demons with ease.
Yoriichi saved Sumiyoshi from a demon attack and befriended him. He considered Sumiyoshi to be his only true friend, as he was ostracized by his family and society for his unusual abilities. Yoriichi also taught Sumiyoshi the Hinokami Kagura, a dance that incorporates the Sun Breathing techniques, as a way of expressing his gratitude and friendship. He also entrusted Sumiyoshi with his earrings, which had the symbol of the sun on them.
Sumiyoshi was amazed by Yoriichi’s skills and kindness, and vowed to never forget him. He also memorized the Hinokami Kagura and the Sun Breathing moves with his extraordinary memory, and passed them down to his descendants as a family tradition. He hoped that one day, someone from his bloodline would be able to master the Sun Breathing and fulfill Yoriichi’s wish of eliminating all demons.
Sumiyoshi’s Connection to Tanjiro
Tanjiro is a direct descendant of Sumiyoshi, as confirmed by the author of the manga, Koyoharu Gotouge. This explains why they look so alike, and why Tanjiro inherited the Hinokami Kagura and the earrings from his father, Tanjuro, who was also a descendant of Sumiyoshi. Tanjiro also has a natural affinity for the Sun Breathing, as he was able to learn it from his father’s teachings and from his own memories of Sumiyoshi and Yoriichi.
However, Tanjiro is not the only one who shares a connection to Sumiyoshi. His sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon, also has a link to him. Nezuko is the first demon who can resist the urge to consume human blood, and who can also use her own blood as a weapon. She also has the ability to withstand sunlight, which is fatal to most demons. This is because she inherited the blood of Sumiyoshi, who was exposed to Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing, which altered his cells and made them resistant to demonization. This trait was passed down to Nezuko, who was able to awaken it with her strong will and love for her brother.
Another character who is related to Sumiyoshi is Kokushibo, the Upper Moon One and the strongest demon under Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of all demons. Kokushibo is actually Yoriichi’s twin brother, who was born without the Demon Slayer Mark and was jealous of his brother’s talents. He became a demon to surpass Yoriichi, and adopted the Moon Breathing, a breathing style that opposes the Sun Breathing. He also recognized Sumiyoshi’s earrings on Tanjiro, and realized that he was facing a descendant of his old friend and rival.
Conclusion
Sumiyoshi is a key figure in the history of the Demon Slayer universe, as he is the link between Yoriichi, the first demon slayer, and Tanjiro, the last demon slayer. He is also the ancestor of the Kamado family, who carry his legacy and his blood. Sumiyoshi’s friendship with Yoriichi and his inheritance of the Hinokami Kagura and the Sun Breathing have a profound impact on the fate of the demons and the demon slayers, as well as on the lives of Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Sumiyoshi is a character who embodies the themes of friendship, gratitude, loyalty, and hope that are prevalent in the series. He is a humble and kind man who cherished his bond with Yoriichi, and who wished for a peaceful world without demons. He is also a brave and determined man who preserved the Sun Breathing and passed it down to his descendants, hoping that they would be able to achieve what he and Yoriichi could not. He is a man who inspired Tanjiro and Nezuko, and who helped them in their journey to end the curse of the demons.
Is Sumiyoshi related to Tanjiro? The answer is yes, he is. But he is more than just a relative, he is a friend, a mentor, and a hero.
