Demon Slayer is currently one of the most popular Japanese manga series. It is frequently watched by people of all ages and professions in that country and abroad. There are, however, some details that make this anime even more exciting and popular.
Tanjiro’s earrings are, for example, one of such items that created a lot of controversies and drew the public’s attention. That kind of product is used in Japan more frequently than some believe.
The earrings of that type are named Hanafuda. Hanafuda is translated to “Flower Cards.” They are made of paper in the shape of playing cards. The size is also the same, and it is good to know Japanese playing cards are smaller than those used by Westerners.
That’s one of the reasons why this item can be utilized for different purposes too. These cards are also often called Flower cards because of the similar details they possess on the surface. Tanjiro’s earrings are a little different than available products of this type.
That’s because of other motives and those making the most significant controversies among the public. They are not a part of a broad set of Japanese flower cards, so they are mainly made for this purpose only.
Furthermore, the Rising Sun is associated with the symbols used by the Japanese military during World War II. There is, however, no official confirmation of this fact, so that’s just one of the speculations considering the earrings. According to the series legend, those cards are transferred to Tanjiro through many generations, dating well before World War II.
What Do Hanafuda Earrings Mean?
Manufacturers develop hanafuda earrings in the style of traditional Japanese playing cards. They are using the same motives as those items above. However, they have some additional details and equipment which can also be used as earrings.
Hanafuda cards have another name; they are called Flower Cards. That’s because of different motives that use similar or the same symbols as those plants. They are a little larger than regular earrings used in the West, but it is necessary to know that Japanese playing cards are smaller than the same kind of cards utilized by Westerners.
However, they are usually painted on the front side only. The black side usually stays plain. It is also good to know that some earrings of this kind might be made explicitly for different purposes. So those sorts might have other motives than original Japanese playing cards.
Tanjiro’s earrings, for example, belong to that category. They are playing cards but not from a broad set of those items.
Players use Hanafuda cards for different games, such as Hachi-Hachi and Koi-Koi. They originate from Japan and are used mainly in that country. However, they are popular in some countries abroad as well. For example, you can also find Flower Cards in Korea, but they have different names.
These cards are also popular in Hawaii and Micronesia, so the citizens of those areas are well-informed about their nature and games you can play with them.
Typically, four people are necessary for the most active recreation, but two or three people can play some games. The participants generally use the crosstable, so there are no significant differences in this aspect when it comes to comparing Western and Japanese playing styles. The history of flower cards dates back to the 16th century.
Games of this kind were unknown in Japan until Portuguese expeditions introduced them to the natives. It happened in that period, so the Japanese slowly started to use the cards more and more over time. In the next hundred years, cards became very popular in Japan, so the natives used them for recreational and gambling purposes.
Why Does Tanjiro Wear Hanafuda Earrings?
Tanjiro’s earrings have solid personal and family value for him. That’s mainly because they have been transferred through generations, and Tanjiro’s father also used the same earrings for years at a young age. In addition, they have been transmitted through the male family line, while women have not worn those earrings in this lineage.
It is suitable to suppose the earrings represent a secret logo of their clans, which is why they constantly wear them. Members from other friendly family clans can recognize them that way, showing them uniqueness.
For some, the earrings are directly connected to powerful demons, which means they hide big secrets and great power. Their primary purpose, according to that kind of logic, is to provide additional strength and protection to the user.
Before Tanjiro’s father, the earrings belonged to Yoriichi, the original user of those items. So it is lovely until the moment that evidence shows that Tanjiro does not trace his lineage to Yoriichi. That’s because his family belongs to the Sumiyoshi family, and it signifies Tanjiro is not a Yoriichi descendant.
The earrings were, however, mainly developed for the Tsugikuni family, so the power of the items probably decreased because they were used by people who were not original owners. It is, however, believed by many that the earrings were assigned to them to transfer the energy of the Breath of the Sun.
Why Is Tanjiro’s Head Hard?
Tanjiro has different qualities that enable him to pass various barriers and neutralize strong enemies. A solid and hard head is one of those features. It gives them the power to break unbreakable. But, unfortunately, no one wants to mess with his head thanks to those qualities, and attempts have not succeeded.
No one knows why Tanjiro’s head is vital while other characters have normal ones. However, it probably signifies his unstoppable temperament and helps them reach his realistic goals, according to his personality.
Once, Tanjiro punched his enemy with the head, and the latter lost consciousness. It was a victory from the first shot, and it explains the strength of Tanjiro’s head very well. He has used this part of the body for different purposes, though. And that’s why he had a big scar on his forehead. However, it did not make his head weaker. On the contrary, it is even more vital due to that attribute.
Also, he was a coal miner before starting his demon slayer adventures. That job includes many physical activities, so Tanjiro significantly improved the strength and condition of the entire body during the working time. It is also one of the reasons why his head is stronger than the heads of other characters from this manga series.
He was also preparing for the new role as a demon slayer, and his extensive training lasted roughly two years. However, it was pretty enough to gain some good abilities and achieve an advantage compared to the other characters.
How Big Are Tanjiro’s Earrings?
As mentioned, hanafuda earrings are made in the shape of Japanese playing cards. They are similar to the Western ones but still smaller than those. There are no significant differences between the cards and those hanafuda earrings, except for several details. The cards cannot be worn on ears, so those jewelry pieces have small chains and buckles. They can help you wear them comfortably without any worries that they can drop out.
The exact measurements are 5.4 x 3.2 centimeters. It is not significant considering other types of cards; however, like earrings, they are more influential than some ordinary models. The chain can be five or ten centimeters long, but it is adjustable and does not mean it is always the same.
Depending on the exact models, some flower card earrings might have longer or shorter chains. While staying on the ears, this piece of jewelry is noticeable, thanks to its size and shape. That’s why they provide a unique mark to the user, especially if earrings have some special and different designs than regular Japanese playing cards.
