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Jul 7, 2024 / Jul 7, 2024

An in-depth explanation of why sword smiths can't take off their masks in the home of swordsmithing! Secrets and background of Hyottoko in Japanese culture!

Jul 7, 2024 / Jul 7, 2024
An in-depth explanation of why sword smiths can't take off their masks in the home of swordsmithing! Secrets and background of Hyottoko in Japanese culture!

Hello, everyone! I’m KENTA, a Japanese who loves manga. Today, I will thoroughly explain why the swordsmiths in the Swordsmith Village Arc of “Demon-Slayer” wear masks. We are sure to thrill our readers as we unravel the fascinating mysteries of this chapter! So, join us as we uncover the secrets of Hyottoko’s masks.

Overview of Swordsmith Village Arc

First, let us briefly review the Swordsmith Village Arc. This chapter is a continuation of the Entertainment District Arc, in which Tanjiro and his friends will be facing a new battle in the Swordsmith Village Arc.

Swordsmith Village is an important stronghold of the Demon Slayer Corps and produces the Nichirin Sword, a special Japanese sword that is the only one capable of defeating demons. The Nichirin Sword is made from a special iron that absorbs sunlight, and its manufacturing process is top secret. For this reason, Swordsmith Village is known only to a few people in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Tanjiro is angered by Haganezuka Hotaru for repeatedly breaking his sword, and visits the secret Swordsmith Village to talk to him directly. However, in order to reach that village, a method similar to a bucket relay is used, in which the person is blindfolded, earplugs, and nose plugs are given to many concealed people.

Origin of Hyottoko masks

Hyottoko masks are worn by the people of Swordsmith Village. They may look like a joke, but they actually have a deeper meaning.

Hyottoko masks have a distinctive expression with a slit mouth. This expression is said to represent a man blowing fire. It is widely believed that the name “Hyottoko” is derived from “Hiotoko,” which means “fireman” in Japanese, who blows fire into a kamado. Since sword smiths also use fire, it is thought that by wearing the mask of a fireman, they are paying homage to the god of fire.

Also, Kotetsu, who appears in Swordsmith Village Arc, has clothing on his back with the word “Hiotoko” written on it, which also indicates his connection to fire.

Morality and Hyottoko Legends

In addition, Hyottoko has a deep background in folklore. In Esashi County, Iwate Prefecture, there is a folk tale about a child named Gyotoku who became a kamado god. An old man was mowing his lawn in the mountains when he found a big hole and was taken away to another world. And what he inherits in that world is Gyotoku, a child with a strange face who produces gold from his navel.

Gyotoku is said to have stood in a dream and told people to put a mask in his likeness in front of the kamado, which became Hyottoko. There are many similar traditions in the Tohoku region, and Hyottoko has a deep history and culture.

Why Masks Cannot Be Removed

Now, let’s return to the main topic. There are two main reasons why sword smiths cannot remove their masks.

  1. to prevent identity theft Since the Swordsmith Village is a very important place for the Demon Slayer Corps, the most important reason is to prevent identification. If ogres were to invade Swordsmith Village and learn the true faces of the sword smiths, skilled sword smiths would be at risk of being targeted. However, since they all wear Hyottoko masks, it is impossible to tell who is a skilled sword smith. This protects the safety of the entire village.

  2. burn and eye protection Second, the working environment of a sword smith is extremely dangerous. It is thought that masks are used to protect the face and eyes from the hot furnace and flying sparks. Hyottoko masks, in particular, are derived from fire men, so they are probably also meant to protect against fire.

That’s all for this issue. This is why the swordsmiths in the Swordsmith Village Arc of “Demon-Slayer” wear Hyottoko masks. It turns out that the masks are not only for protection from identity theft and burns, but also out of respect for the god of fire and cultural background.

One of the charms of the swordsmith village version is that it is not only about the battles, but also about these detailed settings and backgrounds. I encourage everyone to keep this information in mind and enjoy Swordsmith Village Arc again.

This site, MangaZamurai, provides articles about Japanese manga for everyone in the world to consider. Please read our other articles. See you in the next blog post. Bye-bye!

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