The Yagasuri Panel's Meaning + Gojohime and Sprituality
Hello, everybody! I know I've been gone for the past two years but I'm finally back. With the release of the latest chapter I've been incredibly devastated but it still won't stop me from being delusional! Since there has been a lot of talk surrounding Gojo and Buddha, I've been doing some research, and I think I found something that potentially draws us closer to the meaning of the famous Yagasuri panel :)
CHAPTER 236 SPOILERS AHEAD
As a quick refresher, the pattern displayed in the background of Gojo and Utahime is a traditional Japanese pattern called yagasuri. According to the sources I found on the internet, the arrows are related to archery, and thus were a common pattern on male clothing. The design represents the unwavering nature of an arrow because once it is shot, it will never return. Brides in the Edo period wore the pattern as a symbol of good luck, ensuring that they will not have to return to their families. Additionally, in Buddhism, the arrows embody the fight against evil.
There are a few interesting things I'd like to point out about the information above. For one, from all the pictures I've seen, the arrows in the yagasuri pattern are typically pointed downward, whereas in the cover, they are pointed from Gojo toward Utahime. Two, the pattern's relation to Buddhism and Buddha. Since there are many parallels to Gojo and Buddha, I went on a quest to research more about the story of Buddha (Prince Siddhartha) out of my own curiosity. What's fascinating is that supposedly in his early life, he won his wife, Princess Yasodhara, in an archery contest. They were married at an early age and had a newborn son when Prince Siddhartha was 29. Unfortunately, he leaves his family behind to embark on a journey toward enlightenment.
Aren't these details crazy?
Buddha's wife was a princess. Utahime means song princess/diva/songstress.
Both couples share a connection with archery/arrows.
Gojo is currently 29 years old in the manga and is theorized to reach enlightenment soon (assuming he truly is following the path of Buddha).
BUT THERE IS MORE.
Apparently, Yasodhara has been Buddha's wife for many lifetimes. While there are numerous stories of the two's history in their past lives, the one I'd like to bring attention to is from The Collective Sutra of the Buddha's Past Acts. The text recounts the first time Prince Siddhartha comes into contact with Yasodhara in a previous life as a Brahmin (Hindu priest) by the name of Sumedha, while she was a woman named Sumidha. As he waits for Buddha Dipankara to arrive to the city of Paduma, Sumedha decides to buy flowers as an offering. He then discovers that the king bought all the flowers as his own offering to the Buddha, much to his dismay. But in the corner of his eye, he spots a beautiful young girl with 7 lotuses in her hands and offers to buy one from her. The girl, Sumidha, vows to give 5 of her lotuses to him in exchange for being his wife in all of their next lives. In another version, Sumedha and Sumidha went to a city where Buddha Dipankara was expected to visit. He then asks her for one of her flowers to throw as an offering to the Buddha. She then asks him to throw another one in her behalf. Buddha Dipankara summons the two and reveals that they will remain connected for many lifetimes and help each other attain enlightenment.
In the latest chapter, we see a panel of lotuses. From what is visible, there are 7 flowers. 7 flowers? 7. Flowers. I also think it's a funny coincidence how Sumidha promises to give Sumedha 5 flowers due to the fact that we associate Gojo with the number 5 because of the kanji in his name.
Just like Prince Siddhartha and Princess Yasodhara, I believe Gojo and Utahime are connected by fate. In the manga, whenever Utahime appears, it is almost always in relation to Gojo. They are made to contrast each other in almost everything besides motivations. Their color palettes, the schools they teach at, their values, and positioning in the jujutsu hierarchy. These are not coincidences.
And yet, despite all these differences, there seems to be a mutual level of trust between the two of them that transcends their usual bickering dynamic. Utahime has no obligation to help Gojo, but she does anyway. She CHOOSES to help him because she understands they share a common goal: protecting and nurturing the students. On Gojo's side, he CHOOSES to request a helping hand from Utahime first. Out of all people, he wanted to reveal his suspicions to her first. While Utahime provides assistance when she can, Gojo looks out for her when he can.
He claims that it is a pain to look out for the weak, but he continues to protect her. Gojo and Utahime put their lives at risk helping each other because they TRUST each other.
If my theory is true and it turns out that they are connected by fate, it would explain the unusual direction of the yagasuri in chapter 34. No matter how many lifetimes have passed, the soul of Gojo will always return to Utahime, just like how Sumedha promised Sumidha that he will marry her in every life. And the soul of Utahime will remain assisting him toward the journey of enlightenment.
I'm not saying they're married or anything but their relationship honestly parallels Prince Siddhartha and Princess Yasodhara so well. Although both of their stories appear to lead to the man's quest for enlightenment, they nonetheless serve as compelling illustrations of the power of a relationship founded on mutual trust.
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I might add on to this post later on if I feel like I missed something, but let me know what you think! :D These reaches are my specialty so be sure to take it with a grain of salt and don't take it too seriously. It's all in great fun :3













