The reason why Nezuko carries a bamboo stalk in her mouth is to prevent her from attacking people as she has become a demon after being attacked by a demon and taking in its blood into her body. It is speculated that one of the pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tomioka Giyu, who couldn’t help his family while noticing the demon’s attack on the Kamado family, put it on her.
However, what I would like to consider is the folk reason for why Nezuko carries bamboo and not any other plant.
Folk reason for why Nezuko carries bamboo and not any other plant
In Japan There is a famous tale of Princess Kaguya. It is a classic Japanese folktale that tells the story of a mysterious young princess named Kaguya who was found as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. As Kaguya grows, she attracts the attention of many wealthy and powerful suitors, but she remains distant and uninterested in their advances. Eventually, Kaguya reveals her true identity as a princess from the moon and must return to her home. This is all about Princess Kaguya.
Now let’s look at Nezuko. Kaguya-hime was born from bamboo and was a “transforming person”. It is similar with Nezuko. Also bamboo has the remarkable growth power, and it is noted that Nezuko too can grow larger or smaller. As she hides in the basket or box and waits for night to come, is Nezuko connected to Princess Kaguya, who is the daughter of bamboo and the moon, in some way.
