When you heard that Demon Slayer is set in the Taisho era, have you ever thought, “That’s a little strange?”
The story of Demon Slayer is thought to begin at the end of the first year of the Taisho era (1912).
However, many people seem to think that the story was set in the Meiji or Edo period.
So, this time I have summarized the following about the time setting of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
- Is it strange that Demon Slayer is set in the Taisho era?
- Were there demons in the Taisho period set in Demon Slayer?
We will be delivering this article titled “Is it strange that Demon Slayer is set in the Taisho era? When did demons exist?”
Is it strange that Demon Slayer is set in the Taisho era?
Tanjiro, whose family was taken by demons, became a demon and survived, but with the goal of turning Nezuko back into a human, he undergoes two years of rigorous training and becomes a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
By the way, at this time Tanjiro is thirteen years old and Nezuko is twelve years old.
These scenes depict the time period in Demon Slayer, but what would seem strange about it if it were the Taisho era?
Is it weird to wear a sword in the Taisho era?
In Japan, the sword ban was issued in 1876, and from then on it became illegal to walk around with a sword on.
In fact, in the Mugen Train arc, there was a scene where Tanjiro and his friends were chased by station staff because they were carrying swords.
However, other than that, there is no scene where the Demon Slayer Corps are reprimanded for carrying swords in broad daylight.
Thirty-five years had passed since the sword ban was put into place, so it seems unlikely that carrying a sword was not criticized so much.
Is it strange that electricity came into existence in the Taisho era?
The Red Light District arc depicts Yoshiwara as being as bright as day even at night.
Electricity appeared surprisingly early, with the Tokyo Electric Light Company, the predecessor of Tokyo Electric Power Company, opening in 1886.
So it wouldn’t be strange if electricity existed in the Taisho period, the time period in which Demon Slayer is set.
Is it weird that most people are wearing kimonos?
In Demon Slayer, most people wear kimonos, and the only people wearing Western clothes are Kibutsuji Muzan and his family.
The Taisho period brings to mind the image of the height of Taisho Romance, so one might think that there should have been more mobo (modern boys) and moga (modern girls) who dressed well and were influenced by Western culture, but upon investigation, we find that Western culture and customs were only popular from 1920 until the Great Depression of 1929.
So, it’s possible that kimonos were still more common in the early Taisho period, just like in the world of Demon Slayer.
Is it weird that there’s a steam locomotive running?
A steam locomotive appears in the hit movie, Mugen Train.
Steam locomotives first appeared in Japan in 1872, the year the railway was opened.
The first domestically produced rolling stock was manufactured in 1893, 21 years after the line’s opening, and in the Taisho era, original Japanese steam locomotives began to be manufactured.
The Mugen Train is based on the Japanese National Railways Type 8620 steam locomotive, a domestically produced locomotive that was popular during the Taisho era, and actually began operation in 1914.
So, chronologically, it is not surprising that a steam locomotive appeared in the Mugen Castle arc of Demon Slayer.
Were there demons in the Taisho period set in Demon Slayer?
Demons are an essential part of Demon Slayer, but some people say it’s strange that demons exist in the Taisho era.
The reason is that demons are associated with the Heian period, when people like Abe no Seimei were active, so it seems unlikely that they existed during the Taisho period.
Demons in Classical Japanese Literature: Nara to Kamakura Periods
Stories related to demons appear in the “Nihon Shoki,” written in the Nara period, “The Tales of Ise,” written in the Heian period, and “Uji Shui Monogatari,” written in the Kamakura period.
Demons in Classical Japanese Literature: The Edo Period
Among the stories written in the Edo period “Otogi Zoushi,” the demon-slaying legend associated with the Heian period “Shuten-doji” contains a story that could be said to be the original source of Demon Slayer, in which historical figures such as Minamoto no Yorimitsu and Fujiwara no Yasumasa raise the demon’s head.
Demons in Classical Japanese Literature: The Taisho Period
Stories written during the Taisho period feature zashiki-warashi, kappa, tengu, and yuki-onna, but demons are rare.
summary
Thank you for reading “Is it strange that Demon Slayer is set in the Taisho era? When did demons exist?” to the end.
This time, I have summarized the era in which Demon Slayer is set.
Demon Slayer is set in the Taisho era.
However, there were a few strange things about the actual Taisho era.
But that’s common in anime works.
If these things actually happened, I don’t think it would have become as popular as it is.
I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming movie adaptation of Demon Slayer: Mugen Castle Arc.
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