Master Tengen is one of the most mysterious beings in Jujutsu Kaisen.
When Tengen first appeared in Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 17, he had a shocking appearance with four eyes…
In this article, a native Japanese writer explained Tngen including the Japanese backgrounds.
True Identity
Tengen strengthens the barriers in Japan from the deep underground of Jujutsu High.
Geto said about the Tengen, that Jujutsu-High’s security and missions will not be completed without Tengen’s barrier.
Therefore, Tengen is a super important in Jujutsu world.
Tengen is hidden behind more than 1,000 doors, one of which leads to the Tombs of the Star Corridor where Tengen lives.
Because Tengen was always in the basement of the Jujutsu High as described above, Reggie called him a shut-in.
Also, since Tengen basically does not interfere with this world, Kenjaku said that we can think of the Tengen as a tree.
What Does Tengen (天元) Mean?
Tengen (天元) is a word originally derived from ancient China.
The Japanese meanings of 天元 is the source of everything.
The meanings of each Kanji is below:
Meanings of Kanji
天: Heaven, sky, all
元: Source, origin
In addition, the evolved Tengen in Jujutsu Kaisen is a new being that is both there and not there, which represents the Japanese meanings of 天元, the source of everything.
Age and Face
Tengen’s age has not been clarified as of Vol. 21 of Jujutsu Kaisen.
The oldest record of Tengen’s life is from the Nara period.
Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9 states that Tengen preached the moral basis for Jujutsu Sorcerer during the Nara period.
The Nara period is 710-794 AD, Tengen is at least 1200 years old.
Also, in episode 202 of Jujutsu Kaisen, it is implied that there are two Star Plasma Vessels that have merged with Tengen.
Furthermore, the Tengen’s merge with Star Plasma Vessel happens once every 500 years, and he has failed in his third merge (with Tennai).
Therefore, Tengen must be about 1,500 years old.
Also, Tengen has a shocking face with four eyes.
About this appearance, Tengen said that we will be like him when we are 500 years old.
Do humans get 4 eyes when they are 500 years old…?
By the way, this feature of four eyes is the same as Sukuna.
In fact, a picture in episode 208 of Jujutsu Kaisen implies that Tengen and Sukuna look the same.
Especially their noses look alike.
Cursed Technique
Tengen possesses a cursed technique of immortality.
About this cursed technique, it is still unclear whether Tengen simply does not die within his lifespan, or whether he does not die even if he is chopped up.
However, it is clear that Tengen’s body ages over time, since Tengen’s cursed technique is immortal but not eternal youth.
In addition, when Tengen get 500 years old, he loses his ego due to the effect of the cursed technique and evolves into a higher-order existence.
Since Tengen is increasing the strength of the barrier in Japan, it is dangerous for the Jujutsu world and human society that Tengen loses his ego.
So, that’s why Tengen needs to merge with new body, Star Plasma Vessel such as Amanai and Tsukumo, every 500 years in order to maintain his ego.
Therefore, the merge of Tengen and Star Plasma Vessel is a very important event for the Jujutsu world.
In fact, there is a fate that the merge of Tengen and Star Plasma Vessel is guided by a sorcerer with Six Eyes.
Due to this fate, Kenjaku has failed to prevent the merge of Tengen and Star Plasma Vessel in the past.
Even though Kenjaku killed the Star Plasma Vessel and the Six Eyes immediately after their birth, new Star Plasma Vessel and Six Eyes appeared on the day of merging.
However, Toji Fushiguro, who had escaped the fate through the power of restriction, defeated the sorcerer with Six Eyes, Gojo, and destroyed this fate.
Tengen, whose merging has been blocked, evolves into a higher-order existence.
However, Tengen was able to maintain his sense of self because he had the barrier technique.
Since Tengen’s evolution was to become an existence without a boundary between the individual and the other, so by creating the boundary with his barrier technique, he would be able to maintain his ego.
Mastermind
Tengen would be an ally because he cooperates with Itadori and others of Jujutsu High, but on the other hand, it is also rumored that Tengen might be the mastermind behind everything.
The basis for this rumor is that Fushiguro was suspicious of Tengen, and that Tengen was actually hiding something.
Fushiguro’s suspicion of Tengen is explained in Volume 20 of Jujutsu Kaisen, “I have to consider the possibility that Master Tengen lied about that because he’s secretly in league with Kenjaku“.
And Kenjaku said at episode 206 of Jujutsu Kaisen, “Tengen has hidden something important from you. The Culling Game’s…”.
However, as of Vol. 21 of Jujutsu Kaisen, there is no solid evidence that Tengen is the mastermind, so I will add it as soon as new information comes in.
Yuki Tsukumo
Tengen and Yuki Tsukumo are not getting along very well.
In the vol. 17 of Jujutsu Kaisen, Tsukumo said to Tengen, “Don’t I get a hello, Tengen?”
Also, Tsukumo calls Tengen not Master Tengen but Tengen.
That is because Tsukumo is the predecessor of the Star Plasma Vessel.
Tsukumo seemed to have accepted to merge with Tengen but with the appearance of Amanai, better Star Plasma Vessel, Tsukumo would have got no longer needed.
Therefore, Tsukumo holds a grudge against Tengen probably for trampling on her resolution.
Also, Tsukumo doesn’t seem to like Tengen, who lives long enough to sacrifice Star Plasma Vessels.
This is the reason why Tsukumo and Tengen are on bad.
Postscript
This is the article about “Tengen Explained by a Native Japanese”.
Other articles explained the interesting and important issues in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Plese read them as well.
In addition, the Japanese version of this article is here.