Why do the swordsmiths in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba wear masks? Also, consider the reason for "Hyottoko".
In the famous manga Demon Slayer: "Kimetsu no Yaiba", which is set in the Taisho era (1912 - 1926) and depicts the battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and human-eating demons, the trainer of the Demon Slayer Corps, Urokodaki or people wearing masks. It seems inconvenient for personal identification, but why do people hide their faces with masks?
A)
Is it a security measure? Is it ritualistic?
In "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba", currently being made into an animated version of the "Swordsmith's Village Arc", the demon hunters who fight demons are assisted by many "logistical support" people. For example, Sakonji Urokotaki, a former water pillar who taught the main character Tanjiro Kamado how to breathe water and fight as a "trainer" of the Demon Slayer Corps, and Hotaru Kotetsuzuka, the swordsmith who forged Tanjiro's Nichirin sword.
B)
Well, Urokodaki and Kotetsuzuka both have "masks". Urokodaki is the only "Ikute" who wears a mask, but in the "Swordsmith Village" to which Kotetsuzuka belongs, almost everyone wears a "mask". Whether teaching martial arts or using swords, it may seem complicated and uncomfortable to work while wearing a mask, but they never remove their masks. Is there a reason for this?
Incidentally, it is said that Urokodaki wore a Tengu mask "because his face was so gentle." He was often mocked by demons, which made him feel uncomfortable. Urokodaki also gave masks to his disciples Tanjiro and others, but this was a "mask to ward off evil spirits" and had the meaning of a talisman.
C)
There are scars carved into the faces of Tanjiro and Sabuto, and there is no doubt that these masks were made with each of them in mind. Sadly, in the final selection, it becomes a mark to distinguish Urokodaki's disciples and causes Makoto and Sabuto to be killed by the demons. However, I think it is still an item that shows Urokodaki's kindness.
D)
On the other hand, the "Hyottoko mask" worn by swordsmith Kotetsuzuka and other swordsmiths has no reason but is worn as part of the customs of the swordsmiths' village. Swordsmiths are exposed to high-temperature iron, and wearing a mask must be unbearably hot and harrowing to work with, but everyone wears one anyway.
E)
There are three possible reasons for this. The first is "magical/ritual significance". The act of striking a Japanese sword itself has the meaning of a "Shinto ritual", and actual swordsmiths also hold the "Fuigo Festival" where they worship "Kanayamahiko no Mikoto" and "Kanayama Himejin". It enshrines three pillars (pillars count gods): Bimenokami) and the Inari God (Inarikami).
When the swordsmith Sanjo Kokaji Munechika made the famous Kogitsunemaru sword, the god Inari helped him, and when the retired emperor Gotoba made a sword, there is also an anecdote that soil from Mt. Inari was used. The idea is that masks are needed as tools for these rituals.
F)
By the way, the "Hyottoko mask" is used by everyone in the swordsmith village, and there is a theory that "Hyottoko" comes from "Fire-man", a person who makes a fire by blowing out the fire in a stove with a bamboo pipe. Another theory is that the name comes from the god of swordsmiths in Japanese mythology, Tenmoku Ichika no Kami. Swordsmiths wear masks even when they are not working, such as after a bath, so there seems to be a ritual significance in not removing them.
G)
The other theory is that it is necessary to hit the Nichiren sword. The Nichirin sword was made of iron that absorbs sunlight, called Shojo Hisatetsu and Shojo Hikoseki, mined from Mt. Yokoyama, where the sun shines all year round. This is a unique Japanese sword.
It is also possible that "scarlet iron" and ore have properties different from everyday minerals. They are covered with a mask to prevent their eyes from being burned by lightning while working. People wear them even when not working because they are probably part of their daily training to withstand harsh work.
H)
The last one is "to let an important person escape". Wearing a mask makes it difficult to identify people. When a village is attacked by a demon, an untrained and unskilled swordsmith can act as a decoy and "put on the same face as an excellent swordsmith" to let the swordsmith who can use the mighty Nichirin sword escape.
The missions of the Demon Slayer Corps are extremely tough, and it is no wonder that the swordsmiths who provide logistical support are also expected to make sacrifices. I think the "mask" shows his determination to sacrifice his life to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.
Why do the swordsmiths in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba wear masks? Also, consider the reason for "Hyottoko".
