Bleach 1: Spirits and Shinigami

Dear Readers,

Whenever someone asks me what anime's I like, I always mention Bleach as one of my favorites. Quite a few people have not liked what the series has done, especially after Aizen was defeated. It is just a little too focused on Ichigo...

This can impose a problem, especially when they pushed it with Ichigo's mother being a Quincy, and Ichigo's powers are part Quincy as well. Thus, I understand why the anime stopped after the Fullbringer escapade. But I am thankful that they did not stop after Aizen. This is because, my main reason for loving this show, I can draw so many similarities to the gospel and the scriptures. It is amazing and fantastic, and I love it so much for that reason. I should note that I will be diving into this show very extensively to exhibit the parallels I have drawn over the years. Thus there should be a SPOILER alert! Also, some of the words or perceptions one could draw from this show are false doctrine. Therefore one should compare from the gospel as a foundation to the show, instead of the other way around, like bleach is the truth and a religion.

So, that being said, Ichigo Kurosaki is the main character and is some boy who can see spirits after his mother died. Now, this show often uses the word "soul" instead of "spirit", which is technically incorrect, because they are referring to spirits. "Soul" means spirit and body (Doctrine and Covenants 88:15).

Some classifications for the spirits that dwell among us, or in this world, are pluses (wholes, benign or nice spirits), jibakurei (earthbound spirits, usually attached to an object or place), tsukirei (possessive spirit, usually bound to a person), shinigami ("soul" or spirit reaper, sometimes translated to death god), hollow (a spirit that has lost its heart and become animalistic), and the movie Memories of Nobody introduced the concept of blanks (spirits having lost their sense of self, their memories).

I will talk about shinigami later on, and hollows in a continuing blog post. So let us focus on these others real quick. The spirit world is here on earth, as confirmed by Brigsham Young in Discourses of Brigham Young pg 576. Both wicked and righteous spirits are here, even premortal spirits. This is a jibakurei, the earthbound spirit.

The chains wrapped around this spirit are called the chains of fate. Probably so named to compare to the thread of the Fates in Greek mythology. Once cut, that life has ended. Similarly, when a plus or whole is first separated from its body, the chain of fate is the connection to the body. Once that is severed, they are truly dead. These chain are also so very similar to the chains that Jacob Marley's spirit had in A Christmas Carol.

About which, Jacob said, "I wear the chain I forged in life! I made it link by link and yard by yard! I gartered it on my own free will and by my own free will, I wore it!" Basically, that he had painstakingly crafted ring by ring with every selfish, materialistic, and vile action he had done during his life.  In a similar way, one could say that we forge our own fate, what lies beyond this life, and what our rewards will be.

Then note how both Jacob and this random jibakurei have their chains tied to objects. For Jacob, it was his objects, his chests of gold and silver, and his bank keys. For this jibakurei,  it is the surrounding building. We tie our fate those things that possess our hearts. Where our heart lies, there we will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Unlike the spirits in Scrooge's life, these Bleach ones have a hope, the shinigami. The shinigami have a power called konso, or soul burial. This allows the spirit, usually a plus, who is not bound to anything, to pass on to the next life. Also, the konso removes what little chain of fate remains, keeping encroachment at bay. Indeed, one could also compare these chains to the chains or bonds of death, which were broken by Christ by His resurrection, and because of that, they have no more hold upon us (Doctrine and Covenants 138:18, Alma 7:12).

Alas, if the shinigami do not intervene in time, the chain of fate begins to go through encroachment. Which entails the chain links to eat each other until they reach the spirit's "heart".

This causes them to become a hollow. I like to think of this encroachment as the gradual eating away at our personalities, heart and soul that addiction and obsession can have on us. More so, if we have these addictions and no physical body to satisfy them. How maddening that must be. No wonder the hollows are so animialistic, and cannibalistic.  They are trying to fill a hole they have created in their own heart from not seeking God in life.

Let us focus on the good guys for a minute, the shinigami. As I mentioned earlier, shinigami can be translated as "soul reaper" or "death god". Out of the two, I prefer soul reaper, but for arguments sake, I will compare shinigami to the servants of God, like spirit angels. "Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God---" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:58). This is Kenpachi Zaraki, one of the shinigami captains.

Since they are spirits, they are robed with spirit matter, and indeed are made of spirit matter called reishi. Thus their swords, or ausuchi, are swords of spirit, and are made by molding spirits or reishi together, in the same way we, in the physical world, mold iron and carbon together, folding it over and over again, making a steel katana (Japanese sword). I think that it is interesting how the term it literally "folding" steel. John Taylor said, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child could understand it." (Italics added) Almost like, as we study the word of God, which I will soon compare to these swords of the spirit, we gain that simple stability by truly understanding the doctrines contained in the scriptures, and then "fold" them, whether that is unfolding to share, to folding over to grow our own understanding.

In Ephesians 6:11-17, there is a description of the armor of God.
"11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about the truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

Then Isaiah 59:17 says:
"For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak."

Now, we have a bunch of different descriptions of the armor of God, and obviously, Kenpachi, does not have all of those things, but I would like to makes further comparisons describing them all.

So, Kenpachi has his sword, which can be compared to the "word of God". In Doctrine and Covenants 12:2 it says: "Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edge sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word." Therefore, comparing their swordsmanship and power as learning the word of God.

Notice that Kenpachi has a belt or obi sash holding his robes up, kind of like being "girt about" by truth, or rather hiding his nakedness. Then his robes or shihakusho (garment of dead souls) could be considered the "garments of vengeance" because shinigami can be very wrathful and could potentially be the righteous dead who serve God. His captain's cloak, a cloak of zeal, or enthusiasm. Then there is their foot wear.

Essentially, painstakingly tied and built rope and bamboo shoes called waraji. Though they are likely uncomfortable, they serve their purpose, to be light, ready for speed, and provide protection for the foot. Or, a foot "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace". Wouldn't this be considered preparation? So, the gospel of peace is what we need to use to be prepared. Though the gospel brings us peace, it may not be the most "comfortable" of commandments, or life to live. But it is the safest and best solution for the tasks we are all called to do here in this life.

Shinigami also have an ability they can develop called flash step. It is a way to run, move, or jump, at high speeds. Though this is not specifically correlated with the feet, it is not a far leap to say that if we are prepared, we will be able to accomplish tasks with greater ease, more smoothly, and even more quickly as opposed to not being prepared. Indeed, without preparation, we will likely stumble and fall.

This leaves us with: Breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation.
These are less literal representations, for the most part, in this show.

I will liken the breastplate to their reiatsu, or spirit pressure. It is a force that emanates from their reiryoku, or spirit power. President Thomas S. Monson, who is the current Prophet of the Church of Latter-day Saints has said, "Prayer continues to provide power---spiritual power. Prayer continues to provide peace--spiritual peace."

Thus, as we pray, we can build up our reiryoku, spirit power, and that allows us to have reiatsu, spirit pressure, or breastplate of righteousness. In Kenpachi's case, his reiatsu was so strong that a sword could hit his body, and not cut him. It is interesting to note that in Bleach, their reiryoku is directly aligned with their spiritual sensitivity and willpower. Almost like, prayer, and our communicating with God, helps us grow closer to the Spirit of God, and all the powers available therewith, as well as strengthens us against temptation. Thus we will choose to be more righteous and produce that "breastplate of righteousness", or reiatsu.

As for the shield of faith, it relates in a really round about away. For shinigami, their ausuchi can have powers. For Kenpachi, he has so much reiryoku, that his ausuchi is permantly locked in a state called a shikai. It is the next step in the sword's forging. It can only be released by the shinigami who owns the ausuchi, and its powers are connected to innermost desires of that individual. For Ichigo, this state was unlocked when he was stabbed with his own ausuchi, allowing direct communcation with the spirit withing the sword. If the sword is indeed the Spirit, or the word of God, it makes sense that sometimes we have to have it strike us to our very heart in order to accept it. Though most shinigami obtain this power through meditation and communicating with the zampakuto spirit inside. This is a less violent and miraculous means of gaining the same result or testimony. Almost, like we are supposed to meditate and ponder upon the word of God to gain its power. Or, like in the most recent General Conference, "ponderize". (Oct 2015 General Conference "My Heart Pondereth Them Continually" by Devin G. Durrant)

The fullness of the shikai can be unlocked, by learning the zampakuto's name. Again, it is more of a reflection of one's innermost thoughts and desires, but is itself a separate entity. I will talk more about zampukto in my next Bleach post.

Again, even knowing the name of your zampakuto is not necessarily enough. It takes "resolve" to cut effectively with it. This resolve can be expounded with the comparison to the word of God. We need to be resolved, not confused or confounded, or even doubtful, as to whether or not the scriptures are the word of God. Nor in what they mean to us. This resolve, allows us to effectively use and live by the word of God. (Below is Ichigo, with his shikai, gaining resolve)

The next step in the ausuchi's evolution, or more accurately, metamorphisis, is the bankai. This next stage multiplies the power exponentially. The bankai stage is obtain through acknowledging a certain truth, that the power is not just in the sword, but is also within us. With the comparison to the word of God, Yes, the word has power, but only if we use it and live by it. Thus the power is really in us, just as when, if we have the Holy Ghost, that is because we have allowed the Holy Ghost into us. It is apart of us, and touches the light of Christ within us. Basically, unlocking our own power, our own potential as children of God. It took Ichigo quite a while, battling his own zampakuto, before he realized that the power was within himself, allowing him to fight his zampakuto with Ichigo's own shikai.

I would like to note here, that with Ichigo's bankai, not only did his sword change, but his clothes as well, but not the sandals. The gospel never changes, but our ability to apply it does. We strengthen our breastplate, our zeal, and the truth that we have.

Now for how this applies to the shield of faith. Above is Ichigo fighting another shinigami's bankai with his own. Though, his opponent's bankai involves thousands of tiny swords that reflect light to shine like cherry blossoms and though there were so many blades swarming him, and only having one sword, his new powers gave him enough speed to create an effective, blade shield from the blossoms. This is the shield, and it relies entirely on faith that what they are trying to attempt is possible. Not just faith in the word of God, or the sword, but also faith in one's self. Even Ichigo's opponent here, Byakuya Kuchiki, has a safe zone that he creates with his blossoms. Creating a nearly impenetrable shield around himself.

Thus the saying, "The best defense is having a good offense." We can apply this in acknowledging that if we stand idly by, not using the word of God, we loose our defense, and become vulnerable to the fiery darts of the adversary, sin, misery, and despair.

The next topic of shinigami powers I would like to touch on is kido (spell or demon arts). Now, I am not necessarily saying that magic and spells are in the gospel, at least with the connotations that the presently have in our society, but the basic idea of spells are. When a priesthood holder gives a blessing, they are using words to summon or exercise God's power. Even when we pray we are asking for divine intervention, though often in small degrees. Thus, the words we use can act like a "spell" when God is with us.

Now there are three basic types of kido: Bakudo (way of binding), Hado (way of destruction), Kaido (healing kido).

Bakudo is usually associated in barriers and "seals". As an example of a barrier, we have Byakuya's danku, which acts like a wall.

 How often do we pray for protection from evil? How often do we seek strength to stand fast in the face of adversity? Does it not take faith to rely upon God during those troubled times? Indeed, these barriers can also be considered part or aspect of the shield of faith.

Now, as for the "seals" I have placed the word in quotations because it needs to be further defined. These are not like the sealings we do in the temple, binding one person to another. That comparison I will make a little later on. These "seals" are also not hand gestures, like the seals in Naruto, though hand seals can be applied to kido, as exhibited by Hachigen Ushoda, who is a visored. I rather think of hand seals used for kido like a sign language of prayer. They say that, "actions speak louder than words" and what better way than have actions as words. Though, as I said, that is not the kind of seals we are talking about right now. These seals are bindings upon others. Literal restraints. For example, here is the spell sai used on Ichigo.

It is for "spells" or "seals" like this that the translation of kido as demon arts makes more sense. While the barrier can be applied to God easily, these seals are directly taking away someone else's agency. This is exactly what the Devil and his angels, called demons, want. They want dominion over us, and to rule and reign while we are in subjection to them. Those of us who have and use the priesthood of God often times forget that Satan has his own priesthood, his own "honor" over those in his grasp, and he uses that power to cripple and bring people down.

I think that is enough of that dark business, so let us move on to hado. Hado can be compared duo fold, similar to bakudo's seals and barriers. One could look at hado, or attack spells, in a good way, fighting against our opponent. Like missionary work and sharing the gospel is in our world. Not just standing passively by, trying to save ourselves, but to fight back against the "fiery darts of the adversary". A "strike for Zion" like the hymn, Hope of Israel, depicts. Do we not pray for missionary opportunities which are chances to strike back?

On the other side, comparing this to the Devil's priesthood again, it would be the very "fiery darts" that need to be quenched by our shields of faith. Much like the appearance of Urahara's, another character, senjukotentaiho.

There is also a higher order of hado, called gisei hado, meaning sacrificial way of destruction. This I relate completely to the good aspect of hado. Gisei hado require a sacrifice of part of one's body. I am not condoning actually sacrificing an arm or a leg. I am merely saying that the aspect of sacrifice in combination with sharing the gospel or prayer, like the sacrifice of food when fasting, amplifies the power of the prayer. Like when Yama-jin (the head captain of the shinigami armies) used itto kaso on Aizen (the main antagonist of the series). He, Yama-jin, sacrificed his own arm in an attempt to kill Aizen. The attack displayed as a giant flaming tip of a sword, which again, was like a manifestation of the sword of the Spirit. (Note: the size scale, those are buildings at the bottom)

Next there is kaido, the healing kido. This, most simply can be expressed as a healing blessing given by a priesthood holder, or a prayer on behalf of someone that is ill. There is immense healing power, and sometimes we forget just how powerful a miracle God can perform through us His mortal instruments.

Some general aspect of kido that I would like to cover are eishohaki, niju eisho, and kojutsu eisho. Eishohaki is an unspoken spell, like the song of the heart, or simply having a prayer in one's heart. Niju eisho is a twofold incantation, meaning that there is spoken words as well as the prayer of the heart. In essence, we can say whatever we want to say in prayers, but unless our heart, emotion, and desire is behind those words, it is vain. Kojutsu eisho are words spoken after the initial incantation and are used for strengthening the spell or kido. This can easily be applied to prayer, in that, we pour out our whole soul to God, and though me might not receive an answer immediately, continue to ponder and pray throughout the coming day/s, months or years to strengthen our resolve when the answer finally comes.

Next I would like to mention shunko. Shunko is an attack that involves using kido with one's body for an attack. Essentially using kido to power up martial arts. To me, this makes so much sense from the spiritual aspect. Why would we pray and ask for God's favor and help if we did not act our part as well. Indeed, when shunko is used properly, the clothes across the shoulders and back of the neck are burnt off, like a mantle of fire, electricity or light, from God, being placed upon the individual, giving sanction to their actions. In Helaman 10:5 it says, "...I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, and that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." Is this not what we are all striving for? To be so trusted by God that we can command and do as though we were Him. Our very actions and desires being so aligned with God's will, that He will let us go forth exercising His power in such abundance. Indeed, this is what the shunko symbolizes to me, and it is exquisite.

Now, I promised that I would relate the comparison of temple sealings. Temple sealings bind individuals together, for time and all eternity. They create a bond that death itself cannot destroy nor break. Is is the bonds that connect us all one to another that I wish to talk about. In Bleach, there is reiraku, which can be translated and spirit ribbons. These are generally white, representing humans, and are a bond from one human to another. All humans, specifically their spirits, are tied one to another as spirit children of God. Shinigami have red reiraku. Since I am somewhat comparing shinigami to spiritual angels or servants of God, this red ribbon could easily be considered being washed in the blood of Christ (Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:7).

Though the series does not talk much more about these spirit ribbons, I have drawn my own comparisons. First, since these ribbons are compared to cloth, there are different types of cloth. Silk, cotton, and polyester just to name a few. Each has its own strength, texture, and stability. Like the different relationships we have. Our relationship with our spouse might be more of a silk, and a relationship with a friend could be more of a cotton. Then there is the durability of the ribbons. Some might be easily cut or broken, others are stronger and more durable. The sealings in the temple, between a husband and wife, parents and children, are the strongest bonds or ribbons that I am currently aware of.

The greatest aspect of this ribbon comparison, at least for me, is that one can find someone through these ribbons. My mother, being a genealogist, would compare following the ribbons from one generation to the next to unite the whole human family as one solid cloth, like strings in a tapestry. However, I have always been more of a friend seeker. I want and desire friendship, and want to hold on to those bonds as long as possible. I want to know that I am not alone, that I am connected to others. Though the bonds of friendship often break, by holding onto the remnants, and growing from them, we can strengthen the bonds that we do have, and learn to make others.

Indeed, though I don't often believe it (or act like I believe it) myself, I have testified, and felt the power of the Holy Ghost while doing so, that friendships are a bond that have the potential to last forever. For those members of the church that have served missions, they will find that hardly a day goes by that they did not think of something from their mission. This continues throughout the rest of their lives. If our mortal life is our great mission throughout all eternity, then will we not be thinking and pondering about events that transpired here throughout that eternity. The friendships we made, our interactions with mankind, the activities we enjoyed, and lessons we learned. I am not saying that friendships will last forever, just that they have that potential, if that bond is continually sustained.

With this note, I am ending this Bleach post. A big shout out to bleach.wikia.com for their useful information about terms and their definitions. My next installment will include zampakuto and hollows, including arrancar. I hope that you have learned and grew in your faith and understanding as I have. I hope that you too will find ways to apply gospel principles to those things that you watch or do simply to be "entertained". As always, I would love to hear your comments and know your opinions.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Next Post: Bleach 2: Zampakuto and Hollows