Tanjuro Kamado, the late father of Tanjiro and Nezuko, worked as a charcoal seller and practiced the Hinokami Kagura ritual dance. A prolonged illness left him physically frail with a dull complexion. He possessed black hair tipped with red, red eyes, and a prominent Demon Slayer Mark on his forehead. He wore distinct hanafuda earrings and an orange-checkered haori, later inherited by Tanjiro after his death. His personality blended quiet wisdom with deep compassion for his family and a strong protective instinct. Despite his gentle nature, he expressed unwavering resolve against threats, declaring he would "show no mercy to anyone who would harm my family" and was willing to "steal the life" of those endangering them. He concealed his true abilities publicly but prioritized safeguarding his loved ones above all. He married Kie and fathered six children before succumbing to his illness prior to the demon attack that killed most of his family. Tanjuro mastered the Hinokami Kagura (Dance of the Fire God), a manifestation of Sun Breathing passed down through the Kamado family. He performed this ritual annually throughout freezing nights without fatigue, utilizing specialized breathing techniques that minimized unnecessary movement and maximized efficiency. He taught his son Tanjiro the importance of "proper breathing and control," advising him to "absorb many things and cut away what is unnecessary." He instructed Tanjiro to preserve both the dance and the hanafuda earrings as family inheritances. Despite lacking formal demon slayer training and battling chronic illness, Tanjuro demonstrated exceptional abilities: * **Supernatural Perception**: He detected a murderous bear's presence from a distance without relying on physical warning cues. * **Selfless State**: He emitted no fighting spirit, anger, or fear, allowing him to approach threats undetected. This state enabled him to enter the "Transparent World," perceiving biological structures like blood flow and muscles to anticipate attacks. * **Combat Prowess**: Three days before his death, while severely ill, he killed a nine-foot-tall bear with an axe using Hinokami Kagura movements. This feat demonstrated speed "faster than the blink of an eye" and precision targeting the bear's neck joints. His legacy directly influences key events in his children's journey: * During Tanjiro's battle with Lower Rank Five Rui, memories of Tanjuro's teachings enabled Tanjiro to switch from Water Breathing to Hinokami Kagura, turning the fight's tide. * In the Mugen Train incident, Tanjuro appeared in Tanjiro's dream induced by Lower Rank One Enmu, instructing him to "pick up his blade" and self-terminate in the dream to break the demon's spell. Later, a nightmare version of Tanjuro chastised Tanjiro for surviving Muzan's attack. * When Tanjiro confronted Upper Rank Three Akaza, he recalled his father's bear confrontation and Selfless State, allowing him to mask his fighting spirit, disorient Akaza, and deliver a decapitating strike. * After Nezuko reverted to humanity, Tanjuro's spirit guided her toward Tanjiro during the final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji. Tanjuro is the only Kamado family member not killed by Muzan or his demons. His philosophical and combat teachings remain foundational to Tanjiro's development as a demon slayer.