kazoe uta demon slayer — Demon Slayer - Hashira Training Arc│courtesy of ufotable

In the vicious world of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, traditional Japanese cultural elements are masterfully interwoven into the narrative. One striking example of this, is the use of a traditional Edo-period nursery rhyme during a pivotal moment in the Hashira Training Arc. At the end of Demon Slayer’s Hashira Training Arc, we hear a chilling lullaby during the confrontation between Muzan and Ubuyashiki.

Nursery Rhyme’s Origins

The melody is based off a real Japanese nursery rhyme called Kazoe uta, and is believed to have been sung since the mid-Edo period (approx 1700). Japanese nursery rhymes, also called Warabe uta, form the foundation of modern children’s songs and were most refined and popular during the Edo period, continuing through the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and Heisei eras without fading. Over time, as these songs were passed from person to person and from region to region, both the words and melodies evolved, resulting in several different versions of the same song still sung today.

These songs were popular during New Year’s celebrations and served both as entertainment and as a means to teach children counting. Over the years, these melodies have been passed down through generations, with variations in lyrics and tunes across different regions of Japan

The original Kazoe uta

The Hashira Training Arc Scene

In Episode 8 of the Hashira Training Arc, the tension reaches its peak as Muzan Kibutsuji, the series’ main antagonist, infiltrates the Ubuyashiki estate. This episode skips the traditional opening to immediately immerse viewers into the confrontation between Muzan and Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps .

As Muzan and Ubuyashiki face off, the haunting melody of the traditional nursery rhyme plays in the background, sang by Ubuyashiki’s daughters. The simplicity and haunting quality of the nursery rhyme combined with the fragile young voices, underscore the gravity of the confrontation to a point where even Muzan must’ve felt some chills. It stands for the stark contrast between the innocence of childhood and the darkness of Muzan’s malevolence.

The use of this traditional song serves multiple purposes. It reinforces the historical setting of the Taisho period (1912-1926), a time when Japan was transitioning from its traditional past into a modern future. By incorporating elements like the nursery rhyme, Demon Slayer pays homage to Japan’s rich cultural heritage while creating a bridge to contemporary storytelling.

The Kazoe uta as heard in Demon Slayer