InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Inuyasha Cast: The Off Stage Story ❯ Theory on Sesshomaru's Fluffy Boa ( Chapter 5 )

(An: I think I've found the real reason why Sesshomaru has that Fluffy Boa. After reading this I realized that it couldn't be his tail. I found this info (as well as other theories) at http://tea.rakuen.nu/sesshoumaru/sess_theories.html. Just to let you know I didn't type this and below it says who typed it and when. Hope this helps everyone else out as much as it did me.)

(» Posted by [Willow] on 01/10/03: Sesshoumaru's "fluff" and what we may think of him because of it.
I've done a little researching on ancient Japan. Here's what I found out: Similar to what is done even now in China, lords and nobles were known specifically by the clothing they wore. Decorations and additions to the clothing were pretty much the only way to distinguish a lord from the north as opposed to a lord from, let's say, the west.^

Chinese warriors, depending on rank, would be permitted to grow a length of their hair at the base of their skull known as a "keel". The longer the length, the higher the rank in skill and authority. As tradition spread, the Japanese lords soon developed not only the recognition through varying hair lengths*, but also through the types of animal hair worn on the body. And the stronger the animal, the greater the rank.(*This is present even within families. ex: Hiten's braid vs. Manten's short ponytail; Sesshoumaru's well-kept lengths vs. Inuyasha's dishevelled mane.)

The pelts of various animals were worn at the waist, (such as Manten with the fox pelt; and Kouga with the wolf-hair "skirt") to show a more outlandish, aggressive leadership. Pelts worn at both shoulders, (such as Shippou's vest) show the ranks of those vaguely above peasants.

As with Sesshoumaru himself: The custom of a pelt made from the wolf-hound (RARELY found in those areas), worn on the right shoulder (meant solely for lords of the highest ranks and skills), and paired with the ever-present armor and decorated robes, makes it ever more obvious that the position he takes is one of near-ultimate power. We may well see that Rumiko Takahashi probably had that theory in mind. The keel's presence is emphasized by it's mystery and the way that it is used. And the level of Sesshoumaru's power is emphasized in his lupin form by the bond the keel forms with that body.

What does it all mean? Well, if the "fluff" is to be labled a keel, then Sesshoumaru's behavior would seem much more defined to us. With power, comes responsibility. Because of the rank he holds, and because of the power that comes with his own blood, he may find it difficult to bear his own stature. We all can relate with the tingle of fear that comes when we have something that other people want. The patroling that we see Sesshoumaru doing to retrieve the Tetsusaiga is that same "fear". To cap his power, he would need a weapon strong enough to protect him. As for the defeat he experiences: there is always a hesitation, no matter how strongly he denies it, when it comes to taking the life of another being of strength: With Naraku, if not for the demon's pure evil, Sesshoumaru may have found a companion of sorts. With Inuyasha, the blood that runs between them both gives him pause; he constantly taunts Inuyasha because he knows the potential beneath the surface. Also, what we see as his hatred for humans and the lot, is quite simply a front. "Kill to be feared, fear to be killed." He wants to be seen as powerful in the eyes of those near his own rank; just as much as he wants to be feared by the masses who may try to join forces against him. It'll forever be stalemate for him...

All of this adds up to the "weight he carries on his shoulders". And it may have taken an essay for me to say it, but it all makes the story so much more worth it, don't you think?)

(AN: Hope you all enjoyed reading that. I personally thought it was interesting. Anyway, bye-bye! Oh, and I shall be changing my fanfic to match this theory since it makes so much more sense than it being Sesshomaru's tail.)