In Jujutsu Kaisen, the use of hand signs and hand seals plays a crucial role in performing Domain Expansions. These gestures are not simply hand movements, as some are inspired by animals like in Naruto, while others are rooted in Buddhism and Hinduism as mudras for purposes such as meditation, altering mental states, healing, or invoking deities.
For instance, let’s examine Gojo’s hand seal for the Infinite Void, which summons Taishakuten-in, also known as Indra, the Hindu deity and king of gods. Likewise, the summoning sign for Sukuna’s Malevolent Shrine calls upon Enma Ten-In, also referred to as Yama, the king of hell in Buddhism.
The hand signs used for Domain Expansion in Jujutsu Kaisen each hold significant meanings and connections to spirits, gods, and spiritual or religious concepts. In this article, we will delve into 13 of these hand signs and their associations with various characters in the series.
Please note: The upcoming article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen anime and manga. Any interpretations expressed are solely those of the author. Additionally, the use of a hand sign is necessary for the Domain Expansion, even if the actual technique is not visible.
All Jujutsu Kaisen Domain Expansion hand sign meanings and affiliations
Exploring the Unlimited Void of Satoru Gojo’s Indra
Satoru Gojo, the most powerful sorcerer in Jujutsu Kaisen and known as the Honored One, is renowned for his Unlimited Void Domain Expansion, which is considered to be among the strongest techniques, second only to Sukuna’s Malevolent Shrine. The hand seal used to activate this technique, known as Satra or Taishakuten-in, is said to have originated from the Hindu deity Indra.
In Hinduism, Indra is known as the ruler of the devas and Svarga. He is both a destroyer and a master, worshipped as a god of order who vanquished the great evil Vritra to bring rain and sunshine, thus serving as a protector of humanity. This is a fitting parallel for Gojo, who is also revered as a hero who fights against evil and safeguards mankind.
Ryomen Sukuna’s Malevolent Shrine: Yama
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Ryomen Sukuna, Gojo’s opposing force, is also referred to as the King of Curses and utilizes the Enmaten or Yama hand seal. This hand seal is associated with Yama, the King of Hell in Buddhist teachings, and has been given various names such as King Yan in Taoism and Enma Ten-in in Japan. Sukuna’s use of this hand seal is fitting as it allows him to unleash the devastating Malevolent Shrine attack, which has the power to destroy almost anything in its path.
Upon becoming a deity, Yama’s transformation mirrors that of Sukuna, who went from being a human shaman to becoming the king of curses. Yama judges the actions of dishonorable individuals and those who do not contemplate the repercussions of their deeds are condemned to hell.
Jogo’s Coffin of the Iron Mountain: Daikokuten
The fiery Disaster Spirit Jogo may seem cunning with his hand sign, but his Domain Expansion surprisingly calls upon Daikokuten, the Japanese god associated with good luck, prosperity, farming, and conflict.
Surprisingly, Daikokuten combines the characteristics of two distinct gods: Shiva, known as the Destroyer in Hinduism, and Ōkuninushi-no-Kami, the Japanese deity of medicine, protective magic, and the underworld. This fusion is fitting considering the god’s reputation for being just as fierce as the portrayed wrath of Jogo in the narrative.
Megumi’s Chimera Shadow Garden: Yakushi Nyorai, also known as Bhaiṣajyaguru
Megumi’s powerful technique, 10 Shadows, which he inherited, is even more formidable when combined with his Domain Expansion, Chimera Shadow Garden. Although he has only been able to fully utilize it once in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, its impact was significant as it worked alongside Mahoraga’s summoning. In Japanese folklore, Mahoraga, also known as Makora, is one of the 12 Heavenly Generals who guard Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing.
The hand seal utilized by Megumi is connected to Yakushi Nyorai, who was originally known as Bhaiṣajyagu. This Buddha of healing is revered as a protector and his mantra is utilized by Chinese Buddhists to combat mental, physical, and spiritual ailments. In Japan, he is also invoked during memorial services for the deceased.
Mahito’s Self Embodiment of Perfection Part 1: Tathāgata
Mahito’s Self Embodiment of Perfection Domain Expansion involves two hand signs that are associated with two deities. The upper hand sign symbolizes Nyorai in Japanese, which was originally known as Tathāgatha in the Pali Canon of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This term is interpreted as Gautama Buddha referring to himself as a being who has surpassed the human condition, transcending the endless cycles of rebirth and death.
Mahito’s Self Embodiment of Perfection Part 2: Kujaku-Myoo
Mahito stands out for his utilization of two hand signs during the process of his Domain Expansion. The initial sign calls upon Gautama Buddha, while the second is a nod to Kujaku-Myoo, also known as Mahamayuri in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and recognized as the female Wisdom King.
After consuming a human, the peacock known as Mahamayuri was on the verge of being killed by the Buddha. However, the divine being was able to redeem themselves by promising to give up their habit of preying on humans. As a result, Mahamayuri was granted a place in heaven and now aids the Buddha in various forms, similar to how Mahito takes on multiple forms while aiding Kenjaku’s schemes.
7) Hakari Kinji’s Idle Death Gamble: Benzaiten
The owner of the Ganchinko Fight Club, Kinji Hakari, is a third-year student from Jujutsu High known for his delinquent behavior. His Domain Expansion, a giant pachinko machine, is based on a game of luck and is centered around a romance novel. In order to gain unlimited Cursed energy for four minutes, he must hit a jackpot.
Hakari’s hand gestures allude to one of the fortunate deities in Buddhism known as Benzaiten. This deity is associated with numerous aspects such as music, prosperity, and longevity. It is fitting for a gambler to invoke this hand seal and deity as Kinji’s Domain Expansion is centered on luck.
Dagon’s Horizon of the Captivating Skandha: Budai
During the Shibuya Incident in Jujutsu Kaisen, the Cursed Spirit Dagon resorted to consuming multiple humans as a contingency plan in case Gojo could not be sealed. In a desperate attempt to survive against Maki, Nanami, and Naobito, Dagon summoned his Domain Expansion, Horizon of the Captivating Skandha. As dedicated followers of the series are aware, Dagon was compelled to activate a cursed seal when his fingers were severed in order to execute the technique.
The Captivating Skandha’s expanse encompasses a countless amount of deadly shikigami fish. The 13th volume of Jujutsu Kaisen’s manga reveals that Dagon’s cursed seal is inspired by the legendary Budai’s treasure bag.
Budai, also known as “the Laughing Buddha,”is said to possess a cloth sack that can hold an infinite amount of treasure, hence his name which translates to “cloth sack.”
9) Naoya’s Time Cell Moon Palace: Gigeiten
Naoya Zenin has developed a technique called Time Cell Moon Palace, which restricts a target’s movements to single frames of animation. Unlike his brother Naobito’s version, which only freezes its victim in a single frame, Naoya’s technique poses a grave threat. Any attempt to move beyond 24 frames, equivalent to moving in slow motion, is met with bloody cuts on the body.
Naoya’s hand sign is a reference to Gigeiten, a lesser-known Buddhist goddess who is known as the patron of the arts. This is ironic considering his negative views towards women.
Naoya is highly regarded as a master of the arts, especially in the field of music. He is known for mastering Projection sorcery through his use of Domain Expansion, a technique that turns his adversaries into gruesome pieces of art.
10) Kenjaku’s Womb Profusion: Anti-Forked Palm
In Jujutsu Kaisen, the treacherous antagonist known as Kenjaku’s Womb Profusion is a powerful curse designed for destruction. It manifests as a massive structure of cursed spirits that can annihilate any target it comes into contact with. This entity made its debut in chapter 205, where it inflicted severe injuries on Yuki Tsukumo during their battle.
The inspiration for the hand sign comes from the anti-forked palm, one of the 18 palm movements in esoteric Buddhism that is commonly used for meditation. Kenjaku’s inclusion of this gesture suggests his expertise in different forms of sorcery. Furthermore, it reflects his conceit as the anti-forked palm is not associated with a specific deity, which aligns with Kenjaku’s belief that he is a deity himself.
11) Yuta Okkotsu’s Relationship with the Dakini Spirit
Chapter 249 of Jujutsu Kaisen gave fans a glimpse of Yuta Okkotsu’s Domain Expansion as he faced off against Sukuna. Dubbed as Authentic Mutual Love, this technique surrounds the area with an endless supply of katanas, each imbued with a different cursed technique that is guaranteed to strike its intended target. However, the drawback is that the katanas disintegrate after a single use, and only the user has the ability to activate the techniques within them.
The origins of Yuta’s hand seals can be traced back to Dākini, a figure found in various mythologies as a spirit, goddess, or demon. In early Hindu texts and East Asian esoteric Buddhism, Dakini was believed to be a demon who consumed human flesh.
In Hindu Tantric literature, Dakini is recognized as a deity associated with one of the six chakras. In Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism, she is commonly regarded as a representation of enlightened energy in female form.
Ryu Ishigori’s Unknown Domain Expansion: Mahamayuri
At the age of over 400 years old, Ryu Ishigori is a jujutsu sorcerer who was summoned into the modern day by Kenjaku. His insatiable thirst for battle is evident in his participation in The Culling Game. In Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 179, Yuta Okkotsu and Takako Uro both tried to unleash their Domain Expansions simultaneously, resulting in the nullification of Ishigori’s.
Ryu and Mahito both invoke Mahamayuri, the Peacock Wisdom Queen in Chinese Buddhism. This deity is also known as the Peacock Wisdom Queen and is often depicted as a benevolent figure with three faces and six hands. In the classic novel Journey to the West, she curses the king of the Kingdom of Zhuzi, causing him to suffer from lovesickness for three years.
Takako Uro’s Unknown Domain Expansion
Takako Uro, who lived a thousand years ago, was a skilled jujutsu sorcerer and served as the leader of an assassin squad associated with the Fujiwara Family. In chapter 179 of Jujutsu Kaisen, her Domain Expansion was nullified when she, along with Ryu and Yuta, simultaneously tried to activate theirs.
Uro’s hand sign seems to symbolize Jinja Taishō, a deity associated with deserts and protection. According to legend, this deity had the power to cure illnesses and ward off evil spirits. It is believed that he assisted Xuanzang during his journey to India in the novel Journey to the West.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a total of 13 Domain Expansions in Jujutsu Kaisen that each require unique hand signs. While Hiromi Higuruma’s Deadly Sentencing involves a shikigami named Judgeman, who symbolizes Lady Justice, in chapter 159, the Smallpox Deity utilizes the yokai Amazake-Babaa, known for spreading smallpox, and Yorozu’s Domain Expansion is based on perfect spherical geometry and incorporates an insect theme. However, the summoning of these techniques does not involve any hand signs and therefore they were not included in the list.
One notable case is Dagon, who utilized a cursed seal to perform their Domain Expansion during the Shibuya Incident arc in Jujutsu Kaisen. As mentioned earlier, the series incorporates various allusions, including deities, shamans, and malevolent entities.
In Jujutsu Kaisen, the Domain Expansions are listed from least to most powerful.
The top 7 most ridiculous Domain Expansions in the manga Jujutsu Kaisen.
In Jujutsu Kaisen, can someone fully explain how Yuta’s Domain Expansion works?
Can you provide an explanation for how Dagon’s domain expansion functions in Jujutsu Kaisen?
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