To understand how Tanjiro Kamado learned Sun Breathing is to trace the central tragedy and redemptive arc of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. His journey is not a simple acquisition of a new skill but a profound inheritance of will, memory, and reconciliation. This specific breathing style, the most foundational and powerful of all, was passed to him under the most desperate circumstances, connecting him directly to the era of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. The path he walked to master it is paved with sacrifice, memory, and the indomitable spirit of his ancestors.
The Inherited Form: Yoriichi's Legacy
Sun Breathing, or "Hinokami Kagura," was the original breathing style created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the first Demon Slayer. For generations, it was preserved not through a formal institution but through the Kamado family's lineage. Tanjiro's connection began at home; his father, Tanjiro Kamado, performed the ritualistic dance of the sun each morning. This was not merely exercise but the transmission of a sacred duty. When Tanjiro discovered his father's hidden notes and the mark on his forehead—a hereditary Demon Slayer mark—he was unknowingly tapping into a bloodline duty that predated the Demon Slayer Corps itself. The form he remembered from his father became the blueprint for his entire journey.
The Catalyst: A Father's Final Request
The direct impetus for Tanjiro learning the technique in its complete form came at the moment of his father's death. Facing the reality of his family's loss and the need to protect his sister Nezuko, Tanjiro returned to the attic. There, he found his father's hidden stash of items, including a faded, cryptic letter. This letter was the key; it contained the forgotten verses and precise instructions for the "Hinokami Kagura" dance. By following these instructions meticulously, Tanjiro was able to perform the form correctly for the first time, using its pure, holy power to confront the demon Rui. This moment marked the transition from a rustic folk dance to a disciplined combat technique.
Zohakuten: The Trial by Memory
Visualizing the Ancestor
Tanjiro's most significant leap in mastering Sun Breathing did not occur through training with a living master, but through a near-death experience against the Upper Rank demon, Zohakuten. When the demon's blood splashed onto Tanjiro's face, it triggered a powerful memory of Yoriichi himself. He was not merely recalling a dance; he was witnessing the final moments of the original Sun Breathing user. He saw Yoriichi's fluid movements, his unparalleled speed, and his compassionate heart. This allowed Tanjiro to execute the "Hinokami Kagura: Fake Rainbow" with a precision and power that stunned even the demon, effectively copying an advanced form he had never been taught by a trainer.
The Final Lesson: Acceptance and Sunlight
After the intense battle, Tanjiro was left on the brink of death. In this state, he was granted a final, profound lesson by the spirit of Yoriichi, who appeared not as a warrior but as a kind, elderly man. Yoriichi taught him the "Hinokami Kagura: Transparent World" and revealed the tragic story of his own life. More importantly, Yoriichi imparted the philosophy behind the breathing style: to move under the sun's gaze, with a heart as clear and bright as sunlight. Tanjiro learned that Sun Breathing was not just about attacking but about understanding the world clearly and accepting one's fate. This spiritual acceptance allowed him to fully synchronize with the technique, using its radiant power to heal rather than just destroy.
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