Highlights
- Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, trains Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke with tasks that test their mental and physical strength.
- Gyomei’s past experiences with betrayal and tragedy shape his training methods, focusing on discipline, empathy, and character.
- Tanjiro’s humility and determination impress Gyomei, leading him to vow to help Tanjiro in the future and recognizing the importance of a strong mind and soul in the Hashira.
Demon Slayer has fully embraced the short but sweet Hashira Training arc, as season four comes to an end. We have seen Tanjiro power through many training sessions from various Hashira. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke’s last training session was set by Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, who is known for being the strongest of the Hashira.
His training consists of three seemingly simple tasks combined with underpinnings of meditative practices. As someone with religious roots, this routine says a lot about Gyomei. So who exactly is the Stone Hashira, where does he come from and how does he integrate his spiritual teachings into training his students?
Gyomei’s Roots
A Beloved Mentor
Gyomei used to live in a temple, where he raised orphaned children. He looked after these children, making sure they were housed and fed. He was adored by them, putting their needs above his own. He also protected them from demons, burning wisteria incense every night to keep them away. Though they had little and were not bound by blood, they were still a harmonius community, that is until one child strayed away, endangering their sanctuary.
A Terrible Betrayal
One of Gyomei’s orphans, who will later transpire to be Kaigaku, Upper Rank Six demon of Muzan’s Twelve Kizuki did not return to the temple at dusk like he was supposed to, and thus encountered a demon. To save himself, he spinelessly promised Gyomei and the other children as a feast to it.
After Kaigaku snuffed out the wisteria incense, the demon attacked the children; four were killed immediately. Gyomei immediately tried to protect the remaining four children. Due to his blindness, the children, except little Sayo, assumed that Gyomei would not be able to protect them and made a run for it, becoming prey to the demon. Determined to save Sayo, Gyomei brutally beat the demon until dawn. Gyomei was utterly disgusted with himself for “punching a living thing”. He claims that if he was never compelled to use his fists that night, he would never know how strong he actually is.
Sadly, it was not just Kaigaku that betrayed Gyomei. Sayo could not comprehend that Gyomei was smashing the demon’s head out of protection, all she saw was an enraged young man beating up someone relentlessly. She wailed that “that man” killed everyone. Authorities only saw the corpses of the children after the demon’s body disintegrated, leaving it to look like Gyomei murdered them all. He was never thanked for saving her life, instead, he was jailed for murder and set to be executed until Master Ubuyashiki saved him.
The manga notes that when Sayo cried “that man”, she was referring to the demon and not Gyomei. Being four years old, she could not articulate that a demon was the murderer. Now at age 14, Sayo regrets that night and wishes she could apologise to Gyomei.
The Stone Hashira’s Training
Discipline of the Soul
In the forest of Gyomei’s training, Tanjiro and Zenitsu found Inosuke and other trainees shivering and chanting under a freezing cold waterfall. Gyomei seems unphased, as he meditates with two giant logs sitting atop his shoulders, two large stones dangle from either side of the logs and a fire encircles him. He introduces his training by saying;
If you extinguish your heart and mind… even fire is cool.
It would appear this training will be wholesome, sharpening all aspects of being so that any danger can be faced in a calm and fearless manner. Additionally, it is important to Gyomei that having strong legs and hips “leads to accurate attacks and solid defense”. Gyomei made it clear that the trainees could quit at any time if they could not cope. Needless to say, our main trio continued.
The Three Pillars of Gyomei’s Training Regimen
Gyomei has set out three training exercises: waterfall training, carrying three large logs and pushing a boulder. He admits that these tasks are simple, but they are simpler said than done.
In waterfall training, trainees must chant the nenbutsu while displaying consciousness under a freezing cold gushing waterfall. The challenge is to keep composed, calm and centred amidst a literal high-pressure scenario. Maintaining stillness in a difficult situation is exactly what Gyomei is trying to instil in his trainees here.
After successfully carrying the logs, the trio try to move the boulder. After six days, Tanjiro’s boulder still did not budge. Despite the option to quit the training, he was determined to stay. Genya gives Tanjiro some good advice as Gyomei’s apprentice. Genya attempted the boulder training previously and managed to move it somewhat by performing repetitive motion.
Repetitive Motion
The key to this technique is to perform a predetermined action to heighten one’s concentration on an extreme level. In Genya’s case, he chants the nenbutsu like Gyomei. They channel a memory of anger or pain to quickly increase their heart rate and body temperature. For Tanjiro, he channels the memory of his family and Rengoku’s last words “keep your heart burning”. After repeating this technique and combining a strong base in the lower body, Tanjiro eventually managed to move the boulder.
Gyomei’s Intense Reaction to Tanjiro
Gyomei respects him for completing the training course while also “behaving properly” in the Swordsmith Village. He clarifies that he respects Tanjiro for prioritising the villagers’ lives over Nezuko’s, to which Tanjiro explains that Nezuko made the decision for him and he was indecisive about who to save.
After opening up about his past and exposing his distrust towards children, this view is changed from witnessing Tanjiro embrace his Hashira training in a humble manner. According to Tanjiro, the only reason he triumphs in these dangerous situations is because he has always been helped. This assistance means that he hardly makes mistakes on his own, so he is not worthy of the respect Gyomei has for him.
Gyomei respects the fact that Tanjiro did not run away in difficult situations, remained honest and was blunt about his experiences. He believes this is a rare attribute in people; because of this, Gyomei vowed to help Tanjiro in the uncertain future as much as he can.
Gyomei possesses an empathic quality, in that he “sees people with the eyes of my heart”. He cannot see people’s real faces, so he leads his judgement of people through their actions and mind. With his noble goals, Tanjiro has found a place in Gyomei’s heart and perhaps even eased his pessimism.
So What Exactly is Gyomei Testing?
It would appear that Gyomei’s personal traumas have perhaps seeped into this training. His nature allowed trainees to quit, which also means that if he allows the children to quit, at least it was on his terms.
His interaction with Tanjiro revealed that Gyomei is also seeking out corps members who are pure of heart. Are they determined? Do they turn their back on those who need them? Are they honest? These traits are very important to Gyomei. With Muzan at large, Master Ubuyashiki has expressed that the overall quality of the corps must improve. For Gyomei this does not just mean their physical prowess, but their mind and soul too.
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