Gyomei Himejima

Gyomei Himejima is a Demon Slayer of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Stone Hashira of the Taisho era. Gyomei also serves as the mentor of Genya Shinazugawa. Gyomei embodies the gentle giant archetype, being surprisingly soft-spoken and sensitive, despite his outwardly intimidating appearance. He is also shown to be quite pious, carrying his prayer beads at all times and offering prayers in poignant situations. Most notably, Gyomei easily cries over the most insignificant things, accentuating his rather soft nature. This could be due to his love for all living creatures brought about by his religious upbringing, and insinuated when he felt so disgusted by beating up a demon that he would never forget that feeling for the rest of his life. Like the rest of the Hashira, Gyomei has a great deal of respect for the master of the Demon Slayers, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, of which no small part was due to Kagaya saving his life. He is also one of the most respected individuals among the Demon Slayer Corps, not only due to being a member of the Hashira but because he serves as a symbol of hope due to his immense strength: Shinobu Kocho had once stated that when Gyomei fights, it puts everyone around him at ease. Furthermore, Gyomei serves as a leader for them, as seen when he sat at the front during Hashira meetings and was often looked to for his word and opinion. He was entrusted by Kagaya to give out orders to them, due to both Gyomei being the oldest and because Kagaya had known him for the longest out of anyone outside his own family. Though he maintains a fairly reserved disposition, Gyomei harbors a very objective and somewhat suspicious view of the people around him, owing to his experiences before becoming a Demon Slayer. He is ever cognizant of what others, particularly children or those younger than him, are capable of if given the opportunity. By reason of his doubtful nature, it can take a while for Gyomei to completely accept and trust others. When he does open up and let others in, he is unwavering in his commitment to them. Gyomei greatly values the principles that allowed him to achieve his status as a Hashira, rejecting the notion that he must become a demon in order to preserve the physical abilities and skills he had devoted himself to, and retorts his statement by saying that being a Demon Slayer means accepting the fact that seeing tomorrow is not guaranteed and that no one can become a Hashira with a half hearted resolution. As with Kyojuro Rengoku, the Stone Hashira also believes that living and dying as humans preserve one's dignity. Gyomei is blind, thus explaining the reason for the lack of pupils in his eyes. He was blinded due to a fever he had when he was a child. Gyomei often says “Namu Amida Butsu” when praying. "Namu Amida Butsu" also known as Nembutsu, is a Nianfo chant from Shin Buddhism. Gyomei cries extremely easily at almost anything, even crying for something as minor as when there is litter on the ground. Gyomei loves cats, a trait he has in common with the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji. One of Gyomei's hobbies is playing the shakuhachi, a type of flute. Once, when he played for too long, his grandmother hit him with a broom. Gyomei's father died in an epidemic, while his mother died in childbirth. Some time later he was blinded due to a fever. In spite of this blindness, Gyomei had a keen sense of "sight" and was able to avoid malicious actions that some people around him do (trying to make him trip, throwing stuff at him etc.). This made people around him call him a liar, stating that no blind person would be able to do what he does. Gyomei's favorite food is Takikomi-Gohan. But since he is a monk, he probably doesn't use meat. Gyomei viewed the other Hashira as follows: "She's sensitive and pushes herself too hard. She likes talking to Tomioka." - Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira "He talks big, but he's clearheaded. He has an accurate grasp of his own abilities, so he isn't arrogant." - Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira "She's a good girl with a pleasant nature. Apparently, she has a crush on Iguro." - Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira "He has a strong spirit. He's sensitive on the inside, so he easily gets embarrassed, Apparently, he liked Kanae Kocho." - Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira "He's dark and not much of a talker, but apparently he enjoys chatting with Kocho." - Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira "He's straightforward, optimistic, and never complains." - Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira "He has a mature spirit and speaks up when he should." - Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira "He's a serious, sensitive boy. And he has a crush on Kanroji." - Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira