Ever since the introduction of Tanjiro Kamado in one of the most successful and popular anime in history, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, fans have been perplexed about the significance and meaning of the Hanafuda earrings that the protagonist dons.
While anime is popularly known across the globe for its captivating and interesting storylines, the vibrant design of anime characters is something that cannot go unnoticed by most fans. The design of the clothes and accessories not only speaks for the characters’ personalities but also helps them stand out from the rest of the cast.
One such case is with Demon Slayer’s main character – Tanjiro Kamado who sports distinctive Hanafuda earrings that surely leave a lasting impression on the fans. Regarding this accessory, fans have been wondering about the story behind its significance in the show. From its controversial design to the meaning of the Hanafuda earrings, we’ll uncover everything that you need to know about this characteristic attire of Tanjiro.
Apart from that, the earrings also serve as a bridging gap among various character relations in the series. Read along with the article to know the real story behind these Hanafuda earrings and what they signify in the anime.
Backstory and Meaning of the Hanafuda Earrings
The first bearer of the Hanafuda earrings was none other than the legendary Demon Slayer, Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Not only was he a renowned and honored member of the Demon Slayer Corps, but Yoriichi was also the creator and the first user of the Breathing Styles.
Throughout the anime, we see Tanjiro wearing the Hanafuda earrings which were traditionally passed down to him as a gift from his late father, Tanjuro Kamado. This was showcased in the flashback of Episode 19’s ‘Tanjiro vs Rui‘ fight sequence of the animated series where Tanjuro is shown wearing the same earrings.
Since Yoriichi didn’t have any successors and as it’s evident from the series that earrings run along through Kamado family generations, we can presume that Yoriichi Tsugikuni might have passed them on to Tanjuro.
This relays the exact meaning of the Hanufada earrings serving as a reminder in order to keep alive the legacy of the Sun Breathing Style fighters and that the bearer of these earrings knows the use of the Breathing Sun Style.
Significance of Hanafuda Earrings
Throughout the whole Demon Slayer universe i.e. within both the manga and the anime itself, one can notice that Hanafuda earrings signify the symbol of power. The earrings’ symbolization was made evident in the manga when we see Kyojuro Shinjuro (father of Kyojuro Rengoku) instantly recognizing the earrings and calling out Tanjiro as “a Sun Breathing practitioner.“
In the anime verse too, while in the events of episode 7 with Muzan Kibutsuji’s first encounter with Tanjiro, we see Muzan also identifying the earrings almost immediately. In the following episodes, we witness another flashback where a younger self of Kibutsuji was overpowered by a demon slayer rocking those exact Hanafuda earrings.
The embarrassment and fear of the traumatic defeat were such that Kibutsuji summoned two of his followers to bring Tanjiro’s head in ‘The Smell of Enchanting Blood’ episode right after the moment the duo crossed paths in the previous episode of the animated series.
Hanafuda Earrings’ Design Controversy
In the anime universe, the Hanafuda earrings were made by Akeno Tsugikuni, mother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. The design of these Hanafuda cards represents images of flowers giving a literal translation to its meaning of ‘flower cards.’
These Hanafuda cards almost resemble their western equivalent, having existed for centuries with their cultural significance. Apart from having floral illustrations, the Japanese playing cards also differ from their U.S. counterparts in regards to their smaller size.
Although Demon Slayer’s Hanafuda earrings were originally based on the Japanese playing cards of the same name, the representation of red and white flowers in the design bear a resemblance to a controversial version of the Japanese Imperial Rising Sun flag.
As a response to its reminder of the Japanese military’s war crimes during World War II, the producers of the anime changed and altered the design of the Hanafuda earrings in different Asian countries including Mainland China and South Korea.
The altered version for country-specific streaming platforms included a design change to four horizontal lines instead of the several lines in the original representation of the Hanafuda earrings.
Wrapping Up
This brings us to the end of our article on Demon Slayer’s Hanafuda earrings. From the legacy of its origins to its symbolization of power, we’ve covered the meaning and significance of the mystical Hanafuda earrings.
If you liked the article, share it with your friends who might not know the story behind these earrings. And do let us know your thoughts on the Hanafuda earrings in the comment box below. We’d love to hear from you.
