Thread by @TheYonahS2

THREAD - Who are the Ainu and how will this tribe affect the Hokkaido Arc?

The Ainu were first cited by Principal Yaga, requesting Ainu assistance in stopping Suguru Geto. With that, the little mentions about them over time brought doubts about several things...

What power do they have? Is Yuji's mother an Ainu? Are they like the big three families? Well, before clarifying all this, I will briefly tell you who the Ainu are and their Culture.

Ainu (アイヌ), meaning "humans" in literal translation. They are an indigenous people from the northern region of the Japanese archipelago, located mainly in Hokkaido.

They have a language that is unrelated to Japanese, a spiritual belief that believes that spirits live in any organism or natural object.

These spirits are called Kamuy (カムィ) depending, these entities could just be spirits or gods residing in something, these spirits can be found among the material world including lakes, mountains, trees, people and animals.

Ainu often worshiped the animals they kept as family members, were well fed and cared for, including deer, squirrels, wolves, dogs and bears. However, the bear was the main one, being extremely respected and revered.

Traditional dances and songs are performed at family events and festivals, traditional crafts being woodcarving and embroidery that incorporate unique patterns, ritualistic female tattoos with representative symbols, along with hunting culture.

The origins of the Ainu people lay in South Asia and they landed there, but were gradually pushed northwards. Around the 13th century, they lived between the Hokkaido region (formerly Ezo Island) and the main island of Japan.

The following Yukara folklore is said to have been born from the fact that the Ishikari River has a steep flow as described above and has been handed down to the present day.

Written records of the Ainu will hardly be found, usually their stories or legends were transmitted orally and also through songs. This would commonly be through Yukara (epos of the Ainu): sacred-texts.com/shi/ainu/yukar…

Anyway, now that you have an idea of ​​what the Ainu are like in reality, let's see how they fit into Jujutsu Kaisen, first talking about the main clues we have available.

Firstly analyzing this image, the trio in winter and Yuji is holding a sword, there is an Ainu legend that talks about the strongest sword, called “Itadori-maru”. "Itadori-maru" is said to have 4 animal spirits inside.

Wolf, Fox and 2 dragons, all the animals mentioned have something in common with Yuji's natural abilities: superhuman physical strength, maybe it has to do with the strength of a dragon too, but it can also be that of a wolf.

Usually wolves can run 50m in 3 seconds, Yuji can also run 50m in 3 seconds, according to the quote in Chapter 1. Yuji is also made analogue to a predatory wolf after he defeats Mahito.

Remember that theory that resonated with Yuji showing memories that don't exist without realizing it? But Gege denied that Yuji has such an ability... Well, did he lie?🧐Because it relates to Fox's ability to deceive.

Foxes are said to bewitch people in Japan. This is more related to kitsune legends, but still, the fox symbol is related to lying, doesn't that remind you of anyone? 😶

In Ainu legends, there are two unnamed thunder gods. And one of them is younger than the other, usually these two have aggressive personalities. Waging war simply because the smallest thunder god in stature could not marry a woman.

These 2 dragons are incarnations of God of Thunder. The only person so far mentioned in JJK who holds the title of God of Thunder is Sugawara no Michizane, the ancestor of Gojo and Yuta.

Perhaps it indicates that Yuji will learn new unique thunder skills through descending from a Thunder God? Well, there are other possibilities of what those two dragons would be, but I'll talk about this later.

Also, perhaps Itadori-maru may have the resuscitation ability in JJK, because in ancient times Ainu warriors fought constantly, because with their swords they healed the wounds and expelled evil spells from their battle companions.

The act of healing or resurrecting was done by wielding the sword as if cutting one's companion, but without touching him directly, just swinging the sword close enough to perform the ritual.

However, over time, without a detailed explanation, the warriors gradually lost this ability, at various times with no effect on the battlefield, so the Ainu were reducing their war conflicts to avoid more deaths.

All this animal comparison is simply the same as the Ainu talk about the extraordinary feats of warriors, whether it be running like a wolf or swimming like a fish. Not only does Yuji have mentions of animals, Yuki and Maki do too.

Also, in the discussion with Tengen when they talk about the barrier in Hokkaido, in addition to mentioning that it is a holy land, Yuji comments that it is not a recommendable place for someone like Tengen.

How does Yuji know this? Obviously he's familiar with the locale, maybe we'll learn more about that later from his background. But besides that, do you know why Yuji's mother has the name Kaori?

Kaori is the melody of the tone of voice that recites the legend of Okikurumi and his Wife teaching the Ainu how to cut down trees. Kaori is also like the narrator. Anyway, remember I mentioned earlier how the Ainu have links with animals?

Probably in JJK, the Ainu are masters at mastering Shikigami! For you to remember what Shikigami really is: they are familiars embodied by cursed energy, it is also considered a type of cursed technique, Shikigami are auxiliary entities.

Also, some Ainu came from a White Wolf God (Horkew Kamuy), depending on the legend, this wolf god mated with a goddess or a woman of the Japanese Court and the descendants of this union became the ancestors of the Ainu people.

That is, maybe we will have werewolves in JJK? Can sorcerers have the ability to transform into animals?

And do you know the meaning of Yuji Itadori's name? Yuji Itadori: 虎杖悠仁
Yuji Itadori = Unshakable Humanity
仁/Ren the second character of Yuji's name means: "humanity".
His name is benevolence, a ray of light - 虎/tiger - 杖/stick/cane.

In Japanese, a tiger symbolizes qualities of strength and courage and a strong sense of humanity. Aside from the multiple times that Yuji was drawn as a feline, this could all likely indicate that Yuji will have a tiger Shikigami.

But it won't be an ordinary Shikigami, Yuji's old school nickname was: "The Tiger of West Junior High". The White Tiger of the West (西方白虎), Byakko is one of the Four Symbols in Chinese mysticism, the four mythological creatures that make up the four cardinal directions.

Byakko is the Celestial Tiger of the West, King of Beasts and a supernatural being who dwells in the skies and he is the Lord of Mountains. In Chinese culture, the tiger is the king of beasts and has been gifted with a 王 (wáng, ideogram for "King") on its forehead for centuries.

"According to legend, the four guardians of Japan's cardinal points are beasts with divine powers that protect the country and are associated with the elements and seasons."

"Genbu is the guardian of the North represented by a giant tortoise wrapped around a serpent. Its element is water and is associated with the Japanese winter. Originally the giant tortoise was black, but it can be represented with more noble and clear colors."

"According to tradition, the northern part of the Kyoto Imperial Palace is reserved for Genbu, symbol of purification, longevity, versatility and intelligence. Furthermore, it is known as the Dark Emperor of Heaven and Mercury is considered its planet."

"The symbol of fidelity, kindness, nobility and strong will, Suzako is the guardian of the south and considered by some to be the holiest figure of the four."

"Its representation can be associated or confused with the western Phoenix bird. Naturally its element is fire and its season is summer."

"The ancient Japanese capitals of Fujiwara, Heijo and Heian had Suzakumon, walls to the south with Suzako inscriptions for protection. Currently it is no longer possible to see them. The planet associated with Suzako is Mars and its color is red."

"The guardian of eastern Japan is represented by a blue or green dragon. In some Japanese legends and traditions Seiryu led the four guardians."

"At the Buddhist temple Kiyoumizu-dera in Kyoto, you can see a statue of the guardian of the east at the entrance, and festivals are held in his honor every year."

"In addition to being associated with the colors blue and green and the element of wood, Seiryu controls the rain and represents authority, lust, absolute strength, creativity and aggressiveness. Its planet is Jupiter and the season is spring."

"The Celestial White Tiger, Byakko is the guardian of the west. His element is metal, he controls the winds and autumn."

"According to legend, the principle of the Heavenly White Tiger is to protect and preserve. Therefore, it was common to find Japanese shoguns, generals and people of power and influence wearing a coat of arms with a tiger."

"In Nara, tombs of nobles and warriors with Byakko coats of arms were found. The guardian of the west is a symbol of righteousness, bravery and justice, his planet is Venus."

"The four guardians of Japan's cardinal points can be considered Yokai because they are spirits. However, unlike evil spirits, Genbu, Seiryu, Suzako and Byakko are great protectors of Japan and its population."

Anyway, so Seiryu would be one of the dragon spirits residing in the Itadori-maru sword? Maybe not, Seiryu doesn't have relationships with elements like thunder or storm.

Probably the second dragon is Sukuna, because in Ying and Yang, the dragon and the tiger are representatives of this, even rivals!

The first dragon is perhaps related to Sugawara, because based on Okagami Volume 2 Jihei Den and "Kitano Tenjin Engi" it says that after Michizane dies, he transforms into Tenma Jizaiten, transforming into a blue dragon and killing Tokihira, his political rival.

This is an alternative legend of how Tokihira would have died during the revenge of Sugawara no Michizane's vengeful spirit. Yuji may be genetically involved with the Sugawara, but on the part of his nanny:

Anyway, the representation of these thunder gods or dragons can have all these meanings that I mentioned or not.

Surely these guardians would be powerful Shikigami right? What could probably be more intriguing is what they would actually look like in JJK. Are they the first Shikigami? Are they the primordial spirits?

Perhaps the 4 guardians are the reasons why Hokkaido is the most sacred in Japan. Or maybe they're not in Hokkaido, but they visit because it's a Shikigami hangout.

Probably they can be separated? Each in their own temple? Scattered and idle waiting for a master to serve like any Shikigami? Because what makes it clear is that Shikigami only manifest at the behest of a summoner.

Which means that, despite being powerful, the guardians' actions are limited and need to be manifested through some summoner. In JJK officially, you can only have Shikigami in three ways:

1 - The Shikigami is born with you manifesting naturally, maybe in case of Yuki? Even in Junpei's case. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

2 - You will need an amulet to invoke it. Meaning there may be Shikigami sealed in such amulets or maybe a certain amulet is needed to control a Shikigami's mind, maybe something compatible.

3 - Taming a Shikigami. Battle him to win and have authority over him.

In Rika's case, I think it's a very rare and specific case, practically Yuta "built" his own Shikigami as a result of freeing Rika's soul.

But, you can't deny that Rika acts like a Shikigami for Yuta.

However, there may be a way, in Ainu culture, people often perform musical rituals and dances to invoke spirits. That is, singing can be a fourth way to tame a Shikigami, conquering it in an attractive and more peaceful way.

It can refer to Utahime's singing technique, perhaps indicating that she has an easier time in this matter, and also Toge. His surname Inumaki is related to the Ainu. The Inumaki clan is probably related to the Ainu.

After all this information, what does all this have to do with a "Hokkaido Arc"? Well, because it will probably take place in the winter season, during Christmas or after Christmas. Will Uraume freeze Megumi?

The Arc will likely focus on the evolution of students, Gojo returning to being a teacher and maybe Utahime's first time being a teacher, focusing on the education of children in Hokkaido. But why?

Probably the ideology of the Ainu in JJK is radically divergent from the thinking of the Jujutsu system. Usually lonely. But as I said before, the Ainu even treat animals as family members.

The Ainu will help the new generation to follow a different path, a higher path that will surpass all.

Gege can show the contrast between Being The Strongest Alone and Us Being The Strongest Together. Loneliness VS Union, a new Era is coming with the new generation overcoming the old generations and their concepts of being stronger alone.

And the destiny for these can be to die alone or to die together.

END OF THREAD