Yuji's Domain hand sign: The meaning behind Yuji's Domain hand sign hints at Sukuna's ultimate fate in Jujutsu Kaisen

The meaning behind Yuji's Domain hand sign hints at Sukuna's ultimate fate in Jujutsu Kaisen

Modified Jul 26, 2024 13:30 GMT

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 264 finally brought about the series' most-awaited and most-hyped moment - Yuji Itadori revealing his Domain Expansion. There was massive speculation surrounding when and what the boy's version of the pinnacle of Jujutsu sorcery would be.

Creator Gege Akutami puts all that to rest by dropping it out of nowhere, which all but spells disaster for the Demon King who had held on for so long. Quite intriguingly, the hand sign Yuji used to activate his Domain - the mudra of Jizo or Ksitigarbha, a boddhisatva that guides others to “enlightenment.”

This might just hint at Ryomen Sukuna's fate and, in totality, the outcome of this battle.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Sukuna's fate could be tied to Yuji's Domain hand sign

The meaning of Yuji's Domain hand sign

In Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 264, Yuji uses a hand sign to activate his Domain Expansion, as is the practice. But his particular one is unique and is that of Jizo, or Jizo Bosatsu, the guardian deity of children and travelers. They are known as the 'earth bearer', possessing spiritual power for protection and longevity.

Jizo vowed to rescue all beings from suffering in the Six Realms they reincarnate into. These are the Realm of Heaven, the Realm of Humans, the Realm of Asuras, the Realm of Animals, the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, and the Realm of Hell. In Japanese villages, 6 Jizo statues are meant to signify Jizo alleviating the suffering of beings in these 6 realms.

In Sanskrit, Jizo translates to Ksitigarbha, a Bodhisatva who guides others to “enlightenment” before he does. Ksitigarbha desired not to attain Buddhahood until all “hells” were purified. Thus, he is regarded as the Bodhisattva of hell-beings, the guardian of children, and the patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture.

Tying into Jujutsu Kaisen

Sukuna vs Yuji has been a battle for the ages (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

Moving forward, Jujutsu Kaisen has always heavily referenced Buddhism and Japanese folklore. When tying the above-mentioned facts into Yuji's Domain hand sign, it couldn't be a better match. First, Jizo had a mother who they wanted to redeem by doing good and balancing out her mother's mistakes.

In Yuji's case, Kenjaku is his parent who committed heinous crimes during their time alive. Now, with Sukuna's full revival and everything that has happened since Chapter 1, Yuji believes that ridding this world of Sukuna is necessary in order for it to be fully purified.

Jizo is also the protector of the spirits of aborted fetuses and deceased children. In Yuji's case, he is the son of Sukuna's twin who was consumed in the womb, i.e., life taken away as a fetus. So it can be said that Yuji is the avenger that Sukuna must face for his misdeeds.

Sukuna's probable fate

All this seemingly ties perfectly into Sukuna's probable fate. Undoubtedly, during the Heian Era, when he was sealed into 20 fingers and now upon full revival, Sukuna has been a menace. His overwhelming power depicted him as a threat and many wanted to dispatch him. In other words, cleanse the world of this evil.

Further, Sukuna began life by killing, i.e., consuming his twin in the womb. So, with Yuji's Domain hand sign, it becomes clear that Yuji is the Jizo tasked with purifying the world of Sukuna. Moreover, he will not ascend Jujutsu Society until Sukuna is defeated, i.e., Hell is cleansed. This is an interesting dynamic since Sukuna's hand sign, Enma Ten-In, represents being the "King of Hell."

The Mandala artwork released by Akutami is yet another interesting part as it depicts Yuji, Sukuna, Gojo, and Kenjaku in a Buddhist Taizokai/Womb World Mandala. Upon flipping it to view, Yuji takes the spot of Jizo. This is yet one more indication that Yuji was always meant to be Sukuna's final opponent and ultimately cleanse the world of the Demon King.