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Did You Know?

Docy turns out that context is a key part of learning.

Onionlinks

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Did You Know?

Docy turns out that context is a key part of learning.

Émile Durkheim

Kenjaku

Kenjaku (羂索, Kenjaku) is one of the primary antagonists in the Jujutsu Kaisenseries. An ancient and enigmatic curse user, Kenjaku has existed for over a thousand years, utilizing his unique innate technique to transplant his brain into the bodies of others, thereby assuming their identities and controlling them. His long lifespan and ability to manipulate others have allowed him to orchestrate countless events throughout history, shaping the trajectory of both jujutsu society and the cursed world.

Kenjaku’s ultimate goal is to merge humanity with cursed energy, creating a new world where sorcerers and curses dominate.

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
Nationality French
Alma mater École Normale Supérieure
Known for Sacred–profane dichotomy
Collective consciousness
Social fact
Social integration
Anomie
Collective effervescence
Scientific career
Fields Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies
Institutions University of Paris, University of Bordeaux
Influences Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill
Influenced Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1]

Appearance

Kenjaku’s appearance changes depending on the body he possesses. In his current form, he inhabits the body of Suguru Geto, a former jujutsu sorcerer. In this guise, Kenjaku retains Geto’s distinct long black hair, sharp eyes, and imposing presence, often dressed in black robes that highlight his sinister aura. The stitched scar running across his forehead, which reveals the seam of the transplanted brain, is a defining feature of Kenjaku’s appearance.

While possessing other bodies, such as Noritoshi Kamo or Kaori Itadori, Kenjaku seamlessly adopts their physical characteristics, furthering his manipulative goals by exploiting their identities and connections.

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

Kenjaku with a cheerful expression, exuding an unsettling charm that masks his cunning and manipulative nature

Personality

Kenjaku is intelligent, manipulative, and highly patient, often planning his schemes over centuries to achieve his objectives. He possesses a calm and composed demeanor, rarely showing signs of frustration or urgency, reflecting his immense confidence in his abilities and long-term plans.

Kenjaku is an expert manipulator, adept at exploiting both his allies and enemies to further his goals.

Despite his composed exterior, Kenjaku exhibits a twisted sense of humor and a complete disregard for the lives of others, viewing humans as mere pawns in his larger plans. His ambition and willingness to sacrifice countless lives for his vision of a new world underscore his role as one of the most dangerous and morally bankrupt villains in the series.

Abilities

Innate Technique: Body Possession
Kenjaku’s innate technique allows him to transplant his brain into the bodies of others, granting him complete control over their physical abilities, memories, and innate techniques. This ability has enabled him to inhabit various powerful individuals throughout history, making him a nearly immortal curse user with an unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience.

Cursed Spirit Manipulation
By possessing Suguru Geto, Kenjaku gains access to the powerful Cursed Spirit Manipulation technique, allowing him to control and deploy a vast arsenal of curses in battle. This ability significantly amplifies his combat prowess, making him a formidable threat even against the strongest jujutsu sorcerers.

Mastermind and Strategist
Kenjaku’s grea weapon is his intellect and strategic mind. Over centuries, he has manipulated events behind the scenes, including creating the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings during his time as Noritoshi Kamo, and orchestrating the events leading to the current conflict in Jujutsu Kaisen. His ability to outthink and outmaneuver his opponents makes him an exceptional antagonist.

Role in the Story

Kenjaku’s machinations serve as a driving force behind many of the series’ central conflicts. His possession of Suguru Geto allows him to exploit the former sorcerer’s abilities and reputation, rallying cursed spirits and sorcerers alike to his cause. Kenjaku is revealed to have masterminded the Shibuya Incident, an event that plunges jujutsu society into chaos and solidifies his position as one of its grea threats.

His involvement with Kaori Itadori, the mother of Yuji Itadori, adds a deeply personal layer to the story, connecting him to the series’ protagonist. By possessing Kaori, Kenjaku indirectly sets the stage for Yuji’s role in his plans, further showcasing his manipulative nature.

Kenjaku’s ultimate goal of merging humanity with cursed energy is revealed to be the culmination of centuries of planning, positioning him as a central figure in the series’ overarching narrative.

Relationships

Suguru Geto: By possessing Geto’s body, Kenjaku exploits his abilities and reputation to further his plans. Despite inhabiting his body, Kenjaku does not share Geto’s ideals or personality, often mocking Geto’s beliefs.

Yuji Itadori: Kenjaku’s connection to Yuji through his mother, Kaori, ties him directly to the protagonist’s lineage. Kenjaku’s manipulations have a profound impact on Yuji’s life and struggles.

Noritoshi Kamo: During his time possessing Kamo, Kenjaku created the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings, leaving a lasting legacy of his experiments on the Kamo clan.

Sukuna: Kenjaku’s plans often involve Sukuna, the King of Curses, though their ultimate relationship remains ambiguous. Kenjaku views Sukuna as a critical piece in his scheme to reshape the world.

Trivia

  • Kenjaku’s name, 羂索, translates to “snare” or “trap,” symbolizing his manipulative and cunning nature.

  • The scar on his forehead, marking the seam of his transplanted brain, is a recurring visual motif that underscores his body-switching ability.

  • Kenjaku’s long-term schemes and body possession parallel themes of identity, legacy, and the corrupting nature of power in Jujutsu Kaisen.

Legacy

Kenjaku’s influence spans centuries, making him one of the most formidable and enduring villains in Jujutsu Kaisen. His intellect, ambition, and mastery of manipulation drive much of the series’ conflict, positioning him as the ultimate antagonist. As the mastermind behind numerous tragedies and the architect of humanity’s potential transformation, Kenjaku’s actions shape the course of the narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.