#sakonji

This is a self-indulgent post where I just try to figure out when Sakonji became a Hashira in the canon timeline and what he did after retiring—so maybe there are a few mistakes, but I tried to check every source material I'm aware of as much as possible. With that said, let's begin:

—Establishing the main story's timeline:

In Chapter 7, the Hand Demon states he was captured by Sakonji Urokodaki during the Keiō era (between 1865 and 1868). Although Tanjiro never specifies the year they're in (the Taishō era goes from 1912 to 1926), the Hand Demon mentions he's been trapped in Mt. Fujikasane for 47 years. From this, we can conclude that the story at that point takes place between 1912 and 1915.

If the story (Chapter 1) started when the Taishō era began (1912), and considering that it took Tanjiro 2 years to train for the Final Selection, his encounter with the Hand Demon most likely occurred in 1914 or 1915, placing the Hand Demon's capture around 1867 or 1868. 

And this is reinforced when we consider the model on which the Infinity Train is based: the JGR Class 8620 steam locomotive (and I think this is the reference they used for the manga panel I showed earlier), completed on April 3rd, 1914.

We know for a fact that the choice of this model was deliberate—meaning they had the year in mind—because of one of the Official Shonen Jump TwiCasting Q&A broadcasts, specifically, the one held on March 13, 2017 (the same day Chapter 53 officially released):

Q. Are there any real-life locations that served as inspiration for the places that appear in the story? A. Regarding the locomotive, editor Takano has visited museums and other places to conduct research.

So this more or less confirms my initial assumption: that the current canon must take place in 1914 or 1915.

—Sakonji's Hashirahood:

The first time we learn that Sakonji was once a Hashira was in Chapter 46.

At the 2021 art exhibition, it was revealed that Sakonji started wearing his Tengu mask at the next Hashira meeting after Jigoro Kuwajima (Zenitsu's Cultivator and previous Rumble Hashira) jokingly suggested it. Because Sakonji is shown wearing the mask in the Chapter 8 flashback, this means he was already the Water Hashira at that time when he captured the Hand Demon (around 1867–1868). 

In Chapter 46, Kagaya states that Hashira meetings are held twice a year. Even though the art exposition doesn’t specify which meeting Sakonji first wore the mask to, if we go back to Chapter 46 again, we can have a small glimpse of Sakonji’s letter that begins with the phrase 新緑の候 (“the season of fresh greenery”), which is a traditional Japanese seasonal greeting used in May. Considering that the Hashiras held another meeting after Nezuko’s trial (stated in Chapter 46, Chapter 47, and Chapter 48), one of the biannual Hashira meetings and Nezuko’s trial overlapped, so the scheduled Hashira meetings take place roughly six months apart—in May and November. Taking all of this into account, Sakonji likely showed up at the next Hashira meeting wearing his Tengu mask either in May or November of that year.

While the art exhibition doesn’t clarify how long he has been in that position or if that was his first Hashira meeting, he might have become a Hashira 1 or 2 years before capturing the Hand Demon—perhaps around 1865–1866.

—Sakonji's predecessor:

My reasoning for placing his promotion 1 or 2 years before the Hand Demon encounter comes from Chapter 148, where Akaza states that it's been 50 years since he last encountered a Water Hashira. Based on the timeline established above, Akaza must’ve fought Sakonji's predecessor, and even though he doesn't explicitly state that he killed the previous Water Hashira, it's reasonable to assume so (additionally, in Chapter 63, Akaza mentions that the other Hashiras he's killed didn't use Flame Breathing, and all of them refused his proposal to become a demon).

To expand Sakonji’s predecessor's identity, he was killed by Akaza—someone who doesn’t kill women (not even Corps members) as per Douma’s statement in Chapter 157 and Akaza’s Fanbook 2 Taishō secret—which would make him a man. Considering the estimated capture of the Hand Demon, the previous Water Hashira’s death likely took place around 1864–1865, during the Genji era.

If Akaza killed the previous Water Hashira about 50 years before the main story, and the Hand Demon was captured 47 years ago when Tanjiro was taking his Final Selection, that creates a three-year gap between the previous Water Hashira’s death and Sakonji’s promotion. Since Sakonji’s already wearing the Tengu mask during the Hand Demon flashback—and we know he began wearing it as a Hashira—it supports the idea that he had already assumed the position by that time (side note but also his hairstyle in the art exhibition and in the Hand Demon's flashback are slightly different too, suggesting that it passed some time between those events).

Moreover, Water Breathing swordsmen have always been present among the Hashira (said by Kyojuro in Chapter 54) and is also the most common Breathing Style among Demon Slayers (Volume 17 extra page), so it’s highly likely that they filled the vacant Water Hashira spot in no time. Sakonji ascending to Hashirahood, again, could’ve been easily done in just 1 or 2 years, or even less. 

—Post-Hashirahood:

Even though we don't exactly know when he retired, he settled himself in Mt. Sagiri and still kept in touch with the Demon Slayer Corps by starting to train students to become Water Breathing swordsmen as a Cultivator, his current job (said in Chapter 4, for which he receives money from the Master himself, as stated in Fanbook 1 Q&A, but never spends it unless he has to feed his students or pay his hunter friends). He trained a total of 15 students—and only 2 passed the Final Selection.

The only ones introduced in canon are Makomo, Sabito & Giyuu, and Tanjiro—we don't know when Makomo started training under Sakonji nor how old she would be in the current canon, but since Giyuu was the only student who passed the Final Selection before Tanjiro appeared (because the Hand Demon made sure to kill all his students, as per Chapter 7*), she must've taken her exam before Sabito and Giyuu took theirs.

*Keep in mind that the Hand Demon never encountered Giyuu, so he only counted 13 students (excluding Tanjiro) when he was bragging about how many of Sakonji's students he had killed.

Returning to the Taishō era timeline: based on Tanjiro and Hand Demon’s exchange, the canon takes place between 1912 and 1915, concretely 1914 or 1915, due to Tanjiro’s two-year training period. So, that would mean Giyuu and Sabito entered the Final Selection around 1906–1907 when they were 13 years old, as Giyuu mentions in Chapter 130. Since the average training period time for the Final Selection is 1 year (as stated in Fanbook 1 Q&A), Sakonji trained them around 1905–1906, during the Meiji era. (Back to Makomo—taking into account that the average training is 1 year and that she seemed around Tanjiro's age [13yo] or a bit younger, it's highly likely that she would be older than Giyuu and Sabito in canon, so her meeting and training under Sakonji must've happened before 1905).

Back to Tanjiro's training, and now that I have established that Chapter 1 takes place in 1912, I want to be more specific here: The Taishō era officially began on July 30th, 1912, and considering that the events occur on a snowy day and Tanjiro mentions New Year's in Chapter 1, it must be winter—either December 1912 or early 1913.

By the Taishō era, Japan had already adopted the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji Restoration (1873), replacing the traditional lunar calendar that had been used for centuries. The question, then, is which calendar is Tanjiro refering to. If he means the Gregorian New Year (January 1), then Chapter 1 would take place in late December 1912 (around Nezuko's 11th birthday on December 28th). If he is referring to the Lunar New Year—which was still celebrated in some rural areas to keep the tradition (Tanjiro lives in a rural area and his family is known for being very traditional, take the Hinokami Kagura as an example)—then the events could instead be placed in early February 1913, since the Lunar New Year that year fell on February 6.

If it is the Gregorian one, then we can assume Tanjiro began training with Sakonji sometime between late December 1912 and early January 1913. If his family still celebrated the Lunar New Year, then his training liekly began in early February of 1913.

(He might be referring to the Gregorian calendary because it has been decades since they switched calendars. If Tanjiro planned to earn money so his family could feast during New Year’s, he would have needed to align with the economy of the nearby towns, which already followed the January 1st New Year's. That said, t, the manga does not necessarily have to follow real-life practices strictly ahd could still preserve a more traditional atmosphere by having the Kamado family continue to celebrte the Lunar New Year).

—Post-canon:

In Chapter 204, Tanjiro notes that the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, and in Japan that happens in late March or early April. Since the Demon Slayer Corps is officially disbanded not long after he says that, and the main story spans roughly a year, Chapter 204 likely takes place in late March of 1915 or 1916 (it's been 3 months since the war ended, meaning that they defeated Muzan around late December or early January).

This would make Sakonji the eldest (former) Hashira and Corps member overall (affiliated as a Cultivator). 

In the post-canon, we can see him living a peaceful life much like the other surviving characters. In Chapter 204, his only appearances are alongside Giyuu, indicating the closeness of their relationship. Additionally, he participates in the group photo for the final panel of the manga in Chapter 205 (before Volume 23's release). Meanwhile, his (official) final appearance in the manga is in the pictures from the extended ending in Volume 23, depicting him taking off his mask with a smile on his face, further emphasizing his sense of comfort and contentment of living in a world free of demons. Finally, in Tanjiro's report, it is mentioned that he visits the Kamado household frequently (and in the same report, it's implied that he still spends time with Giyuu too—if that wasn't already made evident in Chapter 204—assuming the hand shown in the panel is his).

Again, in Chapter 205, we also get to see him in the modern-day time skip as an elderly man playing shogi with Jigoro. Although the character chart doesn't explicitly state it, it seems more like his reincarnation—much like Jigoro's since he actually dies in the canon—because it's very unlikely for him to leave offspring at his advanced age.

—Now, some speculationts:

An issue is that we don't have Sakonji's canonical age, so we cannot determine precisely how old he was when he became a Hashira. Nevertheless, we can assume he’s in his sixties (just because it makes sense lol), but if he’s exactly 60, that would mean he was 13 when he met the Hand Demon, which age-wise doesn’t make that much sense, and also because of his looks. My guess is that he’s in his mid-sixties during the main story, making him in his late teens (around 18 or 19) when he captured the Hand Demon, far more plausible than the first option. 

Based on the ages at which other Hashira achieved their rank in the main story, promotion typically appears to occur in the mid-to-late teens—around 15 to 18—with the likes of Tengen, Giyuu, Kanae, Sanemi, Shinobu, etc., as an example. Therefore, it’s reasonable to speculate that Sakonji became a Hashira within that age range.

The other bad thing is that Jigoro's age is also unknown. However, considering all things, it's likely these two were around the same age, if not just a little older or younger than Sakonji when they were active Hashiras. Fanbook 1’s Q&A confirms that Jigoro retired at 35 after losing his leg in battle, and since Sakonji doesn’t present any physical disability that prevents him from demon slaying, he could’ve remained active way longer—until his forties if he wanted. 

If these speculations/estimations are correct, Sakonji may have served as Water Hashira for 20 to (almost) 30 years before retiring, showing an outstanding and enviable longevity (that would also mean he wore the Tengu mask for several decades, oof).

An approximate but general and summarized canon-compatible timeline (without specifying as much as I did before): 

•  1864–1865 (Genji era): An unnamed male Water Hashira is killed by Akaza. 

• 1865–1866 (Keiō era): Sakonji Urokodaki becomes the new Water Hashira. He starts wearing his Tengu mask. 

• 1867–1868 (late Keiō era): Sakonji captures the Hand Demon and sends him to Mt. Fujikasane.

• Post-1868 (Meiji era): Sakonji continues serving as a Hashira for many years before retiring and becoming a Cultivator.

• 1905–1907 (Meiji era): Sakonji trains Giyuu and Sabito for a year, and they enter the Final Selection at age 13, with only Giyuu surviving. Sakonji has trained 14 students by now.

• 1912–1916 (Taishō era, main story): He remains active as a Cultivator (Tanjiro being his last student) until the Demon Slayer Corps is officially disbanded, having trained 15 students in total. 

• Post-1916 (Taishō era onward, post-canon): With no more demons around, he lives a peaceful life until his death. He's seen in the modern-day time skip, most likely as a reincarnation.

Time could never heal a weary heart.

The boulder was never part of the plan.

It was never part of his students’ training regime. It just… didn’t cross his mind, knowing that a read of their prowess was enough for Sakonji to send them off to their possible—actual—deaths and now that only one of his student remains alive, he wondered if he truly had the right to be called a master swordsman.

Said remaining student, now his pride as he donned the title of Hashira, sent him another student his way. A boy who could not challenge the fate of his sister being turned into a demon. Or so he thinks. Not because he was clumsy. Not because he couldn’t hold a sword properly.

But because he wore his heart on his sleeve.

He had the same shine in Giyuu’s eyes, that hopeful shade that screamed determination, so long as he had family by his side. He also used to be flimsy with his stances—Sakonji was quite worried to be sending him to the selection. And while now, he had become the master of his field, even surpassing his peak back when he bore the title of the Hashira, there was no longer that child who had stars for eyes. All that remained was a bottomless ocean across them.

The death of Sabito broke him.

Sakonji can’t handle bearing that blame anymore. As miraculous as it is for the demon to deny her endless hunger, he fears such determination won’t be enough. Both for the sister (if she succumbs to her true nature) and her brother (if he dies fighting for it). He has housed so many children with such vigor in their bearings, only for the only thing to return from their death sentence was the sword they honed and the pieces of the fox masks he gifted to them. 

Day and night, that child spends all his waking moments into etching all his teachings under his skin. He could feel the enthusiasm. The covet to hold the sword. The need to mold his hands around the handle. But the more the days pass by, the less the idea becomes appetizing. The more the kid ends up bruised, the less he pretends as master (and let his body heal on his own) and the more he plays as caretaker (making ointments to help his injuries). The more the kid memorizes (rather than learns), the less he corrects it.

He’s acknowledged that he’s an old man, worn down by time and guilt. The man isn’t a devout by any means, but when he came across that very boulder among his mindless strolls, where he search for answers he didn’t even know what he questions, he took it as a sign.

The boulder was never part of the plan.

Demon Slayer

Lookie 🐾 (I made a thing)

I have a request :>, could you do a Drabble of lil Giyuu and urokodaki; like maybe of the first time Giyuu really completely regresses and urokodaki learning how to help him??? Just some father/son moment ig

thank you 🩵

Important announcements!!

I have two more requests after this one!! One from a weekish ago that I’ll work on next (should be done by the end of november) and one that I just got :p In december I’ll probably shut requests down until the new year (as in not taking new requests, anything that gets in before then is fine).

Ty for the request!! Sorry it took me so long (´；ω；`) I’ve been working on a lot of projects lately </3 But I hope you enjoy (*≧∀≦*)

★彡☆彡★彡

Giyuu didn’t enjoy returning to Urokodaki’s home. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for his teacher, but the memories that lingered within the small cabin were sometimes overwhelming. He felt small inside the place.

It was worse now. In the middle of the night he still couldn’t find sleep. Giyuu knew he’d regret staying up the next day, though it wasn’t like he was doing this on purpose.

Rising he thought it’d be best to go for a walk. The mountains were bitter with coldness but there was nothing else he could attempt. Urokodaki’s futon lied a foot or two away from his own, he didn’t want to make the man angry.

With soft and careful feet he slipped on his tabi and slid the door open.

Already frost was building on the grass outside. It was barely autumn but the mountains moved with their own whims. A harsh wind pushed through his pajamas. Giyuu pushed on regardless, tracing a familiar trail woven from years of training.

He took it higher up the mountain. Not high enough to let the cold get worse but enough to watch the trees grow stronger and thicker. Occasionally he was wrought with memories from training, recognizing a groove where a tripwire had been pinned or dips that marked now filled in pits.

Tomioka remembers cold like this before meeting Urokodaki (and Sabito) too. Back when his sister’s body had barely gone limp and he didn’t know how to do anything other than run and hide. The older man had found him curled up beneath overgrown tree roots. Laying there was barely any better than just embracing his fate unprotected.

The memory shakes him. It leads to other visions of his sister and sabito and hundreds of other dead children. His stomach flips and Tomioka is forced to the ground before anything can rise into his throat.

Curling up much like he did nearly a decade ago Giyuu tries to still his breathing. On a surface level it works, calming himself physically. His emotions still bubble beneath his skin though. Convinced it’ll go away if he continues the strategic filling of his lungs Giyuu doesn’t stop.

His eyes can only see the dirt below his feet. Sinking to the ground he further distracts himself by paying attention to how the earth moves under his weight. Digging his feet into the mud Tomioka is surprised to see how easy it crumbles as his shoes poke into it. In another week or two the water will have frozen everything on the mountain, it’ll be as hard as rock.

Pushing with his fingers now Giyuu is delighted to find a bit more warmth just under the surface. Dirt will be stuck under his fingernails until the and of time but he doesn’t consider this now. Instead he imagines burying himself beneath the earth until the cold can’t reach him.

“Giyuu.” It seems Urokodaki had taken notice of his absence. “We should go back to the house.” His voice is firm but not unkind. His teacher had always been a master at finding balance between sternness and caring.

Tomioka can’t move his lips or even his body. All he can manage is to lift his fingers out of the ground. He wipes them against his pants, leaving streaks on the light cotton.

Noticing the inaction the elder takes Giyuu’s hand. He lets out a little grunt as he pulls the boy upwards, a sign of his older age. “It’s too cold out to be doing this.”

“I was trying to be quiet.” It’s not an explanation or justification but it’s all Tomioka can think to say right now. He feels bad for making the man come outside to fetch him.

Urokodaki let’s out a gruff laugh. “It’ll take more than just quiet to get past me. I’m old but I haven’t lost my senses just yet.”

They move back down the mountain at an even pace. Giyuu is less careful than normal, occasionally snagging his feet on stray roots. The embarrassment of it paints his features red and each him the boy mumbles out a quick, “sorry.”

But his teacher never reprimands him, he just helps Giyuu regain his balance and then continues the way downward. They make it back to the cabin in a reasonable time.

When Tomioka steps inside once more he realizes how cold it really was outside. There’s a small fire burning in the corner that warms his nerves far too quickly. He has to stand and let the heat seep into him until it doesn’t feel like he’s on fire anymore.

While he stands immobilized Urokodaki moves quickly around him. First he slowly guides Giyuu to sit on the floor, so he can wiggle his shoes off. Tomioka feels bad, he should be helping, but his teacher gently reassures him. The man always seems to know what Tomioka is thinking before he can even realize it himself.

Urokodaki disappears for a brief moment, which is hard when there’s only two rooms in the cabin. He comes back with a wet rag, uses it to dust off the dirt still clinging to Giyuu’s fingers. There’s still some lingering under is nails but that’s for him to handle in the morning.

“Are you ready to go to bed?”

He opens his mouth, waiting, but no sound escapes. After a brief moment Giyuu nods his head.

The elder guides him back up and towards the futons. They’ve been pushed together to form one singular one. Tomioka hadn’t realized but he’s clutch onto his teacher’s robe. Instead of letting go he soaks in the joy that they can stay connected even after all these years.

★ 𓂃 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 / 𝘒𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘴𝘶 𝘯𝘰 Y𝘢𝘪𝘣𝘢

• 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦/𝘶𝘴𝘦 ‹𝟹