Tanjiro's Journal, Part 1 (
Summary[]
Sakonji explains to Tanjiro that the Demon Slayer Corps consists of several hundred members, and despite it not being recognized by the government, they have fought demons for a long time and continue to battle demons today. However, its leader is shrouded in mystery.
He goes on to tell Tanjiro more information about demons. While it is unsure how they began to appear, there are things that are known with certainty; they must eat humans in order to survive and they have special abilities, such as being able to regenerate wounds when they're physically injured. Others can even change form or use special powers. The only way they can be destroyed is through exposure to sunlight or by decapitation with a specialized blade. The organization of the Demon Slayers have continued to hunt them with their mortal selves across a number of generations.
Sakonji then introduces his role as one of the many 'cultivators', individuals who train and furnish swordsmen with a variety of techniques and skills. He informs Tanjiro that if anyone desires to join the ranks of the Demon Slayers, they must first survive an event known as Final Selection, held at Mount Fujikasane. Sakonji reveals to Tanjiro how he will be the only one to decide if he is qualified enough to participate in Final Selection.
After numerous descents down Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro has grown stronger and his sense of smell has sharpened. However, he also discerns the traps are becoming alarmingly more dangerous at the same time, coming to the assumption of whether Sakonji's real motive is actually trying to kill him. When he makes a descent while holding a katana, it gets in the way and causes him to be ensnared in the traps again. Next, he is taught skills of the sword, swinging it repeatedly and Sakonji explaining how slicing along the direction of the blade is the way to make a direct cut, as it may break when used incorrectly.
Tanjiro trains with Sakonji.
Then, he is taught to get back up after a fall, with Sakonji repeatedly tripping him over for a whole day. He then instructs Tanjiro to attack him armed whilst he is bare-handed. The old trainer effortlessly flips him into the air and defeats his student with ease. He is then taught breathing forms, but when told to take a deep breath, Tanjiro's long inhale is answered by a slap in the stomach for using the incorrect method.
Tanjiro trains for six months, but in that time, Nezuko continues to remain in a deep sleep. Sakonji calls on a doctor to comes by and look at her, but he finds nothing wrong with the demon. Anxious by the possibility of finding her dead, Tanjiro steels himself and decides to train harder.
Sakonji tells Tanjiro to split the boulder and prove himself.
After a full year of training, Sakonji tells Tanjiro that he has nothing else to teach him. Taken aback, Tanjiro notes the amount of time that has passed since their arrival. Sakonji tells the boy to continue improving his techniques and challenges Tanjiro to split a huge boulder in half in order to prove his worth and participate in Final Selection. Tanjiro starts to panic, as the task at hand seems impossible with a mere blade, but from that day onwards, Sakonji ceases to teach Tanjiro new skills.
As another six months passes, while his technique and body has gotten more refined, Tanjiro is still unable to split the rock no matter how hard he practices. Confused at his fruitless efforts and disheartened, he yells in frustration, to which a voice demands him to silence himself. Surprised, Tanjiro observes that the voice came from a person wearing a fox mask, perched on top of the boulder, a person who did not have a scent nor a presence. The masked boy tells Tanjiro to bear his suffering like a man would and attacks him using a wooden blade, which Tanjiro clumsily blocks. The boy notes the extent of Tanjiro's weaknesses, deeming him unsuitable to be a Demon Slayer.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Events[]
- Tanjiro begins training under Sakonji.
- After a year and a half of training, Tanjiro reaches his limit and is unable to progress further.
- Tanjiro meets an unknown swordsman.