References and Further info
When it comes to stuff from fictional universes, I find fan-generated wikis the most informed sources. Fans care for accuracy and do their research. Research most people can't bother to do, like watching every episode of an anime with a magnifying glass. The works of Rumiko Takahashi (including Inuyasha) are no different.
And yes, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon is the reason this nibble got made.
InuYasha and the Sengoku Period (MyAnimeList, 2015)
The Art of InuYasha (Shogakakun Inc, 2001, ISBN-13: 798-1-4215-0187-1)
Inuyasha's Folklore Origins - Culture Shock (Gaijin Goombah Media, 2019)
Inuyasha Explained: The Yokai Behind Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and Inu No Taisho (AxelBeats!, 2020)
Creator
Rumiko Takahashi began her career drawing manga back in high
school, with Star of Futile Dust published by Niigata Chuo High School
Manga Club in 1975. A year later she had work published by Japan Women's
University Manga Club while enrolling in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school that
was known for the demanding nature of its founder, Kazuo Koike (of Lone Wolf
and Cub fame). She learnt a lot from him. Her professional career began in
1978 with the publication of Kattena yatsura (“Those Selfish Aliens”) in
Shonen Sunday. This later became her first major series - Urusei
Yatsura (“Those Obnoxious Aliens”), which was later animated in 1981. By
1996 she authored, Ranma ½, Maison Ikkoku, and Mermaid Saga.
Until now, Rumiko’s work was mostly in the comedy genre. InuYasha was a step
away from it, entering darker territory.
“I wanted to do something that was not a comedy. And I'm doing it to
head in a new direction.” – interview from Animerica Vol. 9 No. 6 June
2001
Inspiration/Conception
Rumiko is a fan of martial arts. “I used to watch a lot of Jackie Chan
movies. There is also, of course, Bruce Lee and Enter the Dragon.” She also
watches professional and sumo wrestling. So much so that in 1995, during a
celebration of the sale of her one-hundred-millionth book, her publisher set up
a sumo ring. Two guys dressed up as two characters from her creations wrestled,
then a small tournament broke out between six of Japan’s most famous sumo
wrestlers.
Rumiko has published short mangas that later morph into larger stories. In August 1983 Shōnen Sunday Zōkan published Honoo Torippā (Fire Tripper). It involves a school girl been sent back in time to the Sengoku Period and meets a rough but lovable boy.
Introduced to our world
“Scroll 1” of InuYasha was published in Weekly
Shōnen Sunday on 13th November 1996.
Inuyasha
“A half-demon, on the road with Kagome in search of shards of the Shikon Jewel. He is stubborn and unyielding, and has a hard time expressing his feelings.” – from The Art of InuYasha (2001)
During the Sengoku period
(1467-1615), Japan was in chaos, with constant civil war and social upheavals.
Not a place a time traveller would choose to visit if they had a choice.
Especially if it happens to be the version where yōkai (“demons”)
exists, where they can roam with little resistance, causing more havoc. But
that’s the situation Kagome Higurashi finds herself in InuYasha: A Feudal
Fairy Tale. Fortunately, she’s not alone. By her side is "Dog Forest
Spirit" – Inuyasha.
Appearance and Age
Inuyasha is 160cm high and weighs 65.1 kg. Average statistics for an adult male. He may have the appearance of a teenage male, but he is about 150 years old. Make it 200 years, if you include the 50 years he was sealed by arrow on The Sacred Tree.
Parents
"Humans are more arrogant and
greedy than any other living creature, and I'm part human too, which why I
refuse to give up! On top of that, when a human has someone he's
gotta protect, his power grows exponentially. I have what it takes to destroy
you. All thanks to my human mother!" – Inuyasha (Form InuYasha
the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler (2003))
Inuyasha is the son of Tōga (“fighting fang”), a powerful daiyōkai (“great demon”), and his human wife
Izayoi, a “princess” of a wealthy feudal lord. He had another son with another daiyōkai
before her – Inuyasha’s brother Sesshōmaru. During Inuyasha’s birth (in c1296), Izayoi was held captive
in an isolated castle by guard and former suitor Takemaru, to trap Tōga.
Takemaru tried to kill her and the unborn Inuyasha, but Tōga’s attack
distracted him, allowing Inuyasha to be born. She dies, but is resurrected by Tōga
before telling her to leave the castle, as Takemaru’s men burn the castle. Tōga,
who was injured form an earlier battle dies in the fire. Izayoi was a warm and
kind mother to Inuyasha.
Half-Demon/Half Human
Inuyasha is known as a hanyō (“half-yo[kai]”). He is
genetically half-human. Because of this, on the night of the new moon he
becomes 100% human until sunrise, lack of powers and all. However, in some
situations, Inuyasha can transform into a full-demon. When he does, his
physical strength doubles. But due to his part-human make-up, his body can’t
handle yōki (the energy source of yōkai), meaning that, when he’s in demon-mode - he becomes a
mindless raging predator. In his normal half-demon mode, he has acute senses,
which can be overwhelmed easily, and is susceptible to spiritual power, notably
in the form of the beads of subjection.
Kagome has described the texture of
Inuyasha’s dog ears as like “five uncooked Chinese dumpling shells atop one
another.”
Beads of Subjection
The Kotodama no Nenju (“Language Power Rosary”) is a
necklace that is cursed with a spell that, when a designated “word sayer” says
a keyword, it’ll pull whoever wears it to the ground, subduing them. Inuyasha’s
was originally made by Kikyō, with her keyword been itoshii (“beloved.”)
But she decided not to use it after Inuyasha gifted her a shell of rouge that
once belonged to his mother. When he was
released by Kagome, he chased her intending to take the Shikon Jewel that was
then in her procession. During the chase, Kikyō’s sister Kaede placed the beads
on him and Kagome said her word of submission – osuwari (“sit (to a
dog)”). Sine then Inuyasha is forced to the ground each time Kagome says “sit.”
The beads can only be removed by the word sayer – in Inuyasha’s case Kagome.
The
necklace consists of eight Magatama (comma-shaped stones) each separated by five
round beads.
Tessaiga
The Tessaiga (“iron-crushing fang”) was originally made
from one of Inuyasha’s dad’s fangs. In “docile” mode, its in the form of an
ordinary battered-looking katana. But in the hands of someone containing yōki
who cares about humans (like Inuyasha) it transforms into a dadao sabre. It has
barrier that prevents any demon with malice form been able to touch it. It has the
ability to cut opponents without touching by firing small concentrated bursts
of yōki and can absorb abilities from anything it comes in contact with, making
it more powerful. Its signature move is the Kaze no Kizu (“Scar of the
Wind”), which, after finding the rift between the powerful yōkai auras of
Inuyasha and his opponent, produces a powerful energy wave that has “the power
to kill 100 yōkai in a single sweep.” It is one of two swords made. The other
been the Tenseiga (“"Heavenly
Rebirth Fang"), given to Sesshōmaru, which can resurrect the dead. Both
sword(s) and sheath were made by Tōtōsai, at the request of Inuyasha’s dad, who
used them during his life.
The size of Tessaiga’s true form depends on Inuyasha’s degree of intensity
during battle.
The Tessaiga’s sheath (made from a branch from the tree yōkai Bokusenō) uses a barrier to contain the sword’s
power. This barrier has the ability to deflect energy attacks, making it a
stand-alone shield. It can also summon the Tessaiga when separated. If broken,
it can be fixed with the help of beeswax from yōkai bees when placed at a hive.
“Robe of the Fire-Rat”
The Hinezumi no Kawagoromo is woven from hair of the Hinezumi
(“Fire-Rat”). It a self-repairing fire/impact-resistant cloth shield. It was
once the procession of Inuyasha’s dad, who later gave it to his mum after giving
birth to Inuyasha. It is in the form of a kariginu (“hunting garment”),
a traditional item of clothing originally worn by nobles while hunting, which
later became their daily casual wear. It dates back to the Heian Period
(794-1185).
Inuyasha’s nose appears human, but it is always wet, like a dog’s – unless he gets a cold.
Shikon Jewel
The George Lucas MacGuffin of Inuyasha’s story is the Shikon no Tama (“Jewel of the Four Souls*.”) Created in the Heian Period (794-1185) from the souls of Priestess Midoriko and a powerful dragon yōkai who fought each other, this crystal sphere is condensed demon power. When one processes a piece of it it’ll amplify their power significantly, and the bigger the piece the more it is amplified. But with the whole complete jewel, one can get their wish come true. In 1447, priestess Kikyō was in procession of it, but spider hanyō Naraku pulled a heist by disguising himself as Inuyasha and Kikyō and stealing it, deliberating making the lovers hate each other to corrupt the jewel. Naraku wounds Kikyō and Inuyasha ends up been shot by a scared arrow from Kikyō, binding him to The Sacred Tree. Naraku didn’t expect that, thinking she would use it to heal herself. Kikyō gets cremated with the jewel. Centuries later Kikyō is reincarnated as Kagome. Kagome ends up in the year 1497, where she encountered a sealed Inuyasha. But the jewel that she didn’t know had inside her attracts nearby demons wanting its power. This led to Inuyasha been released, to fight them off. Afterward Kagome accidently shatters the jewel, and pieces scatter across Japan. Inuyasha and Kagome have to collect these shards before its causes serious trouble.
*it’s a Shintō thing called Naohi. A person’s heart is made of four souls of varying strength. Aramitama (Courage), Nigimitama (Friendship), Kushimitama (Wisdom) and Sakimitama (Love). Midoriko had all four set to max, creating a powerfully-balanced super soul that made her great at purifying demon spirits.
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