Other self

[uninteresting_guy]

Kusuriuri is constantly shrouded in mystery. He isn't exactly human. This is pretty clear by his appearance. But he has another interesting aspect, his other self.

Why a "other self"? Kusuriuri has a lot of buddhist aspects to him, but the one which stands out the most is the three truths required to unsheath his blade. In some forms of buddhism, there are three truths which must be revealed for enlightenment. This enlightenment can bring out one's true self and in some stories, give one spiritual and even supernatural powers to ward off evil.



Kusuriuri's other self can only appear when the three truths are revealed, and only the other self can slay a mononoke. The other self is an enlightened form of Kusuriuri and is immensely powerful. When becoming the other self, the transformation is wholly symbolic, with Kusuriuri calling to release the blade and his power. Oftentimes, as shown in the gif above, Kusu's kimono becomes the markings on his other self's form, one shape transferring to the other.

The markings in themself are highly interesting. They have similar characteristics to Kusu's own markings he has on his face, though they respond to the situation. They can look in many directions when his other form's looking elsewhere and can actually be transferred from his body to form shields to protect himself.



The markings serve as an extension of himself and respond to silent command. They move and shift and help control the flow of the battle against the other form of a mononoke.

His other self is capable of harnessing the other power of the sword. He states that he himself cannot fully harness the power of the sword, implying only his other self can. The true form of the sword is a colorful blade which can bend and extend as needed. This blade can only cut through mononoke and when it does, it seems to spread confetti-like pieces around the area to symbolize the mononoke has been eliminated.

Even when sheathed, the other self can use the blade as a means to deter a mononoke attack. In umibozu, he uses the sheathed blade to redirect the mononoke's attack and prevent himself from being harmed.

As revealed in umibozu, the blade can also act on its own, as the other self sends it off to fight.

An interesting interaction between the two is that Kusu can hand important items off to his other self.

While they are indeed the same person, Kusu has some things his other self does not, such as the mirror used in umibozu battle. The two are sometimes seen next to each other, but truly they are one and the same person interconnected by truth and understanding.