Buzz
Beyond providing comic relief, sparrows symbolize the untapped potential within this young swordsman.
After surviving the final exam, members joining the Demon Slayer Corps receive custom uniforms, forge iron swords, and are gifted a talented companion—a bird tasked with delivering messages and guiding them in their missions. While most receive crows, Zenitsu's choice of Chuntaro, the sparrow, is exceptionally different. The explanation lies in Japanese folklore.
Using crows for messages has its roots in Japanese mythology. Legend has it that the sun goddess Amaterasu sent a three-legged crow to the hero Jimmu. The crow, named Yatagarasu, symbolizes divine traits: wisdom, kindness, and bravery. In Kimetsu no Yaiba, using crows to inform Demon Slayers of hidden demons pays homage to the divine crow Yatagarasu, symbolizing protection and guidance.
Contrary to the positive symbolism of crows, sparrows carry negative connotations. However, this is precisely why Zenitsu and Chuntaro are a perfect match. Zenitsu lacks the qualities associated with crows and instead evolves through hardship. Introduced as an orphan swindled into debt, he doesn't fit the mold of an intelligent child. Nevertheless, Zenitsu displays kindness by defending Nezuko from Inosuke Hashibara after their encounter with Kyogai.
Furthermore, Zenitsu often appears cowardly, hiding behind weaker individuals and expressing fear of impending dangers. He is not a courageous person. However, a Japanese folk tale titled 'The Story of the Sparrow with Cut Tongue' mirrors Zenitsu's circumstances and provides a fitting explanation for Chuntaro, the sparrow's role.
The Tale of Zenitsu's Unusual Messenger: Why a Sparrow Over Kasugai Seed?
Long ago, there lived an elderly peasant with his avaricious wife. One day, the peasant found an injured sparrow, feeding it a few grains of rice, much to his wife's horror (similar to Zenitsu feeding Chuntaro). One day, when the husband was away, the sparrow ate a little flour because the wife refused to feed it, so she cut its tongue and threw it out of the house.
Upon his return, the husband discovered the incident and decided to find the sparrow. He found the bird's nest, and other birds had found the poor sparrow. Seeing the old peasant, they gave him two chests—one modest and one large. The peasant, wisely assessing his strength, chose the small chest for easy transport. However, upon reaching home, he discovered the small chest held countless treasures. The greedy wife set off to find the sparrow and take the large chest. But, in her excitement, she opened it to find snakes and horrors, causing her to recoil in shock and fall off a cliff.
Although the folklore weaves various moral messages, they all connect to Zenitsu and the treasure chest. Zenitsu's belief in his abilities parallels the old peasant choosing the small chest, thinking his strength limited. However, within the small chest hides a treasure, much like Zenitsu mastering the Thunder Breathing technique—sufficient to defeat formidable demons. Zenitsu's kindness is evident when he demands an apology from the demon Daki for pinching a child's ear at the entertainment district.
