Volume 34

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Chapters Originally Published in:
	Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 42 - 52

Chapter 329: 蝕まれた霊木
Mushibamareta reiboku
(Tree Blight)
Sango sees her brother and believes all the destruction that has been caused by the rats was because of him. Sango tries to destroy the box, but Kohaku quickly closes it and pulls it out of the way. Sango's wild swings only cause the rats to increase as she cuts them down. Sango chases Kohaku leaving Miroku behind. Elsewhere, Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippo watch as the rats continue up the tree. Soon Hakudoshi arrives only to discover that Kikyo has moved on, leaving the trap set up to destroy the rats. He uses some giant slugs to begin to destroy the tree that is interfering with the rats. Kagome warns Inuyasha not to use Tessaiga or the rats will only increase in number and the tree will be further damaged. Inuyasha goes after Hakudoshi, while Kagome uses her arrows to take out the slugs. Inuyasha uses the Wind Scar, slicing Hakudoshi to pieces, but seemingly unable to permanently damage him at all. The magnetic attraction the tree seemed to be giving off for the rats begins to wane quickly. Sango continues after Kohaku and the two parry each other’s attacks. Miroku suddenly notices that the rats seem to be returning.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 42 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 1 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 13
	Publication Date: September 17, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 158: A Stampede of Countless Demon Mice & Episode 159: Kohaku's Resolution and Sango's Heart
Notes: The shrine filled with rats is called a "zushi" (厨子) is a double doored box used to store Buddhist sutras. They are not always for religious items however, wealthy people used them for storing scrolls and books and so the term "zushi" does not excuslively mean "shrine". Natsuno in Takahashi's MAO carries a zushi similar to this. Table of Contents Q: What is your most charming feature? A: A heart that always loves Hanshin.

Chapter 330: 暴走する群れ
Bososuru mure
(Rampage!)
Miroku realizes that the swarm of attacking rats approaching must mean that the Mayose tree has been destroyed, and so he opens his Wind Tunnel to try and stop the onslaught of rats. He absorbs countless numbers of the horde, but some manage to run past him. Meanwhile, Sango and Kohaku battle over the box, while Sango tries to make Kohaku remember who he is. Kohaku already knows though but realizes that the Saimyosho are watching him. Sango manages to stop Kohaku from escaping, but before she can attack, the swarm of rats charges them. At the Mayose tree, Inuyasha kills the last slug, but unfortunately the tree is already dead, and the rats have no inclination of climbing it. Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippo escape as the rats begin to reform around the tree, Inuyasha knows the only way to stop them is to destroy the box that controls them. As Kohaku protects the box from Sango, the rats draw closer. Luckily, Miroku leaps from Kirara in time to suck up the pack of oncoming rats. Kohaku escapes but Sango chases him on Kirara. Unfortunately, Kohaku cannot outrun the rats and is overcome by them. They attack and he is left unconscious, giving Sango the chance to save him and destroy the box. But once she strikes it with her boomerang, she realizes it is protected by a barrier. In the distance, Inuyasha leaves Kagome and Shippo to run ahead, he smells blood in the air.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 43 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 2 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 14
	Publication Date: September 24, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 159: Kohaku's Resolution and Sango's Heart
Notes: "It's protected by a spirit shield!" - The term used is "kekkai" (結界) meaning "barrier". It is a term frequently used in Inuyasha (and many other manga). Miroku refers to the Zushi Nezumi as an "ayakashi" (妖) rather than a "yokai" (妖怪). The difference between the terms can be difficult to parse depending on the context. In the larger Japanese culture an ayakashi is a term for a water-based yokai, something that that might be encountered out at sea. A yokai is commonly translated as a "demon" or a "ghost". In truth they are supernatural creatures that are unique to Japan but could be considered as similar to cryptids. A western comparison might be Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster or Chupacabra. Additionally inanimate objects can gain souls and become yokai as well. Humans too can become yokai (similar to vampires in the West in that sense). Takahashi will later use the term "ayakashi" more frequently in her later work, MAO. Within the context of MAO an ayakashi seems to be any supernatural animal-based creature (salamander ayakashi, bear ayakashi, frog ayakashi). It we apply that logic, it seems that Takahashi also commonly calls "animal yokai" ayakashi. In Inuyasha she used the term to refer to the birds of Princess Abi as well. Table of Contents Q: What is something your hometown can boast about? A: Rice and fish are delicious.

Chapter 331: 人の心
Hito no kokoro
(A Human Heart)
As Inuyasha rushes ahead he realizes that it is Sango's blood that he smells. Kagome and Shippo follow behind and Kagome senses a Shikon fragment and realizes it must be Kohaku. Miroku approaches the pile of rats and watches helplessly as Kirara tries to pull Sango and Kohaku free. Unable to use his Wind Tunnel, Miroku struggles against the rats himself. Inuyasha arrives in time to see an arrow strike the box and destroy the mystic barrier that was protecting it. Inuyasha uses Tessaiga to smash the box and the rats begin to fade from existence. Kagome and Shippo are still on their way to meet the others when Kagome notices Kikyo and her two assistants in the distance. Inuyasha sees her as well but makes no attempt to follow her. Sango and Kohaku both recover, and Sango tries to see if her brother is okay when he leaps up and is carried away in a barrier by Hakudoshi. Hakudoshi asks who the girl is that tried to protect him, but Kohaku lies and says he does not know. He worries about putting Sango in danger and decides that he will kill Naraku as soon as he has a chance. Later that evening everyone tries to rest as Miroku treats Sango's wounds. Sango is torn between the heinous acts that Kohaku has committed under Naraku's influence and protecting the brother she once knew. Miroku tells her that her feelings of love for Kohaku are natural and that she should not feel the need to fight them. Kikyo wanders through the remains of a village that suffered the rats’ attack. She is disgusted that Naraku would do all this just to lure her out. She decides that she will be the one to hunt Naraku now and gives a lock of her hair to Kocho and Asuka, her assistants. She will use it to discover where Naraku is hiding.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 44 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 3 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 15
	Publication Date: October 1, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 159: Kohaku's Resolution and Sango's Heart
Notes: The saimyosho name (最猛勝) means "utmost furious victory". We will see the purpose of Kikyo providing Kocho and Asuka her hair in chapter 336. Table of Contents Q: What activities did you take part in when you were a student? A: Manga study.

Chapter 332: 小さな幸せ
Chiisa na shiawase
(Small Pleasures)
Inuyasha returns to the village and tells Kaede that her sister, Kikyo, is still alive. She is not surprised and relates the story of how the two girls came to collect Kikyo's burial soil recently. Inuyasha explains that it was Kagome that saved her from Naraku's poison. Meanwhile in modern times Kagome has returned home for a bit of rest. When Inuyasha learns she has gone home without telling him, he is a little perturbed, but Sango and Miroku tell him that Kikyo's return has left Kagome feeling unsure of where she stands once again. Since Kagome lost her bicycle in the Warring States Era, her mother buys her a used one which Inuyasha promptly destroys when he comes to see Kagome. Inuyasha tries to repair the damage, but to no avail. Kagome heads off to school where she meets up with Yuka, Ayumi, and Eri and they ask her how things are going with her boyfriend. Kagome explains that he's at her house, and they insist on going to meet him. Inuyasha accidentally breaks Grandpa's pot and Kagome's friends start to grow bored since the much-anticipated boyfriend is nowhere to be found. Finally, Inuyasha walks in on the girls, but he is wearing a cloth over his head which hides his ears. The girls ask him many questions and decide he must be half-foreign due to his unusual eye and hair color. As the girls leave, they tell Kagome how cool they think Inuyasha is and give her their approval. Kagome goes back to her room and Inuyasha apologizes for destroying her bike and promises that he will carry her through the feudal era himself.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 45 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 4 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 16
	Publication Date: October 8, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 160: The Violent, Two-Timing Boy Who Brings Happiness
Notes: "Childlike spirits" - this is how Kaede refers to Kocho and Asuka after being told her sister is still alive. In the original Japanese Kaede refers to them as "shikigami" (式神). Shikigami are objects animated by infusing spiritual energy into them. They play a large in Takahashi's subsequent series Kyokai no RINNE and MAO. You can read more about shikigami in our cultural note. We see the small shrine that contained Kikyo's ashes and serves as a grave marker. This is called a "hokora" (祠). Technically hokora are associated with Shintoism, however in modern Japan they often have markings more connected with Buddhism. Ashes are not typically placed inside a hokora. We see the interior of Kagome's room in this chapter. In an interview Mikako Komatsu (the voice of Setsuna in Yashahime) discusses modeling her childhood room after Kagome's. We see Sango attempt to "sit" Inuyasha in this chapter, proving that the command only works when issued from Kagome. Kagome also receives a new bicycle to take back to the past. She was separated from her bicycle when she was kidnapped by Mukotsu in chapter 238. Kagome's friends are puzzled by Inuyasha's name, which they hear for the first time in this chapter. In the original Japanese Ayumi states, "チーム名じゃない？ヤンキーなんでしょ？" (Is that a team name? He's a yankee?"). The comment about "team name" means that "Inuyasha" (literally "Dog Demon") sounds like a Japanese sports team name such as the baseball team "Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters". The comment about "yankee" (ヤンキー) does not necessarily mean a yankee in the American sense (the Viz translation made her say "is he American?"). In Japanese "yankii" can mean "yankee" but more frequently it simply means "delinquent". The implication being that Inuyasha's name makes him sound like a gang member. Kagome's friend Eri asks Inuyasha if he is mixed race. In Japanese she says "ハーフ" (haafu, which comes from the English word "half"). This is the Japanese term for biracial. When Viz translated this they had her ask Inuyasha if he was "Hapa" with a footnote that said this is a Hawaiian term for "mixed race". The original Japanese has no Hawaiian connotations. They likely translated it as such to convey that Inuyasha is not familiar with the term (in the Japanese he has no idea what "haafu" means). The Viz English translation has Inuyasha simply call Kagome's bicycle a "bicycle". In the original he uses the correct kanji but not the correct pronunciation of the kanji. Instead he calls it "tetsu no kuruma" (iron cart). In Japanese "bicycle" is (自転車/jitensha). It is written with kanji meaning "self-turning cart". Table of Contents Q: If you could transform into someone else, who would it be? A: Everyone seems to be busy, so it's good.

Chapter 333: 宿り蛹
Yadori Sanagi
(Cocooning)
Inuyasha and the others come across a group of villagers who are having trouble with a kitsune. They discover that a beetle has possessed the kitsune and dispatch it with little difficulty. Sango explains that it is a Yadori Sanagi, a parasitic nymph insect, that possesses stronger demons. That night more Yadori Sanagi attack the group while they sleep, and Shippo is possessed and manages to fly away. Everyone tries to pursue, but he escapes. The next morning, he attacks the villagers who were bothered by the other kitsune. Of course, Shippo's attacks are rather comical and annoying rather than dangerous. The villagers come to find Kagome once Shippo defeats Miroku and Sango and ask her to help exterminate the new village menace - Shippo.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 46 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 5 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 17
	Publication Date: October 15, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 164: Most Powerful Enemy, Parasite-Pupa Shippo!
Notes: This chapter has the debut of Lord Fox and the Yadori Sanagi/Parasite-Pupa. The statue that Shippo throws at Sango and Miroku is a statue of the Jizo (地蔵). Jizo is the bodhisattva protector of children and travelers. "A sticky rice trap!" - this substance is "tori mochi" (鳥もち) also known as "birdlime". It is a substance traditionally used to catch small birds. We see it used again in chapter 384. Table of Contents Q: What is something memorable someone said to you? A: Master Koike told me, "You can become a professional."

Chapter 334: 宿主
Yadonushi
(The Perfect Host)
The villagers try to attack Shippo, but Kagome tells them to stop. Inuyasha seems to be unconcerned about Shippo's plight. The villagers puncture the Shippo-balloon, but it is not him. Inuyasha and Kagome encounter a silly looking chicken that is actually Shippo in disguise. When he is discovered, he attaches a propeller to Inuyasha sending him flying away. Sango decides to use poisoned food as bait to trap Shippo, but Shippo spits chestnuts at everyone and escapes again. Inuyasha becomes frustrated and takes a swing at Shippo using the Tessaiga, which scares the Yadori Sanagi into releasing Shippo. Shippo admits he can remember what he did while possessed and Miroku suggests they follow the escaping beetle before it can possess someone else. Kikyo is in the area following a large group of the beetles and comments that it is unusual to see them so active. That night Sango tells them that for that many to be in an area, perhaps a great demon had been possessed and recently killed, suggesting Naraku is somehow involved.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 47 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 6 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 18
	Publication Date: October 22, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 164: Most Powerful Enemy, Parasite-Pupa Shippo!
Notes: When Shippo places the helicopter propeller on Inuyasha's head this is a reference to one of the most famous of all manga, Doraemon. Doraemon is a blue robot cat from the future sent back to help Nobita. One of the many gadgets Doraemon uses is his "take-copter" (タケコプター/bamboo copter) which is a tiny helicopter propeller placed on the head that allows for flight. The black, prickly things that Shippo spits out are Japanese chestnuts (栗/kuri). Table of Contents Q: What do you say when you get really sleepy? A: I'm going to sleep.

Chapter 335: 消えた山
Kieta yama
(The Lost Mountain)
Kagura flies above a forest killing a few bothersome Yadori Sanagi as she passes. She notices smoke from below and spots Kohaku burning a nest of the insects. Kohaku discusses the nesting habits of the insects, which is knowledge he learned as a demon slayer. Of course, these are things he should have forgotten, and he quickly clams up when Kagura begins to ask him about what he knows of Naraku's plans. While flying back, they notice a mountain that seems to be moving on its own. Elsewhere, Inuyasha and the others come upon a giant crater. The locals told them that a mountain was there until the previous night when it suddenly moved away. Inuyasha smells the scent of a demon as well as Naraku's scent in the area. Kohaku realizes that the large amounts of Yadori Sanagi means that their host was disturbed, which must have been a very large creature. Naraku ordered them to kill all the bugs, meaning that the mountain that has moved must have possibly been the host the bugs were living off. Kagura pursues the mountain much to Hakudoshi's displeasure. Inuyasha and the others catch up to the moving mountain as well only to discover that it is a rock and tree covered demon. When Naraku's name comes up, the mountain demon tells them that Naraku disturbed its long slumber and stole a protective stone, the fuyoheki. With that the mountainous demon continues to attack as it believes Inuyasha and the others may be hiding Naraku.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 48 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 7 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 18 ch. 19
	Publication Date: October 29, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 165: The Best Clue to Defeat Naraku
Notes: Gakusanjin debuts in this chapter. His name means "moutain peak man". The fuyoheki (不妖璧) is called the "nulling stone" in the Viz translation. The kanji in its name means "negative attracting sphere". Table of Contents Q: Which country would you like to live in? A: Japan is fine.

Chapter 336: 岳山人
Gakusanjin
(Mountain Man)
Gakusanjin, the mountain demon, demands to know the whereabout of Naraku, because he believes Inuyasha and the others are allied with him. Gakusanjin explains that Naraku took the magical stone that hid his demonic powers, allowing him to slumber undetected and undisturbed. Now that Naraku has it, his demonic powers can no longer be sensed. Gakusanjin loses his patience with Inuyasha and attempts to attack him as Kagura looks on, but one deft move of the Tessaiga levels the mountain ridge between them, shocking Gakusanjin. Miroku promises that they will return his stone should they find it while hunting Naraku and Gakusanjin gives them crystalized stones containing his immense power. They will work as a detector for the magical stone that kept him hidden. The energy within will dissipate when near to the magical stone, and return when far from it. Nearby Kagura realizes what Naraku is using the magical stone for. With it, he can hide the power of the Infant from detection. Elsewhere Kohaku has been sent to protect Kanna, who is caring for the child. She senses Kikyo approaching, and while Kohaku has been dispatched to save them, his true intentions are to kill the baby, who is believed to hold Naraku's heart. Kohaku sees Kikyo's two servants, Kocho and Asuka, and follows his orders to kill them. He slices them, and they change into to paper dolls that float down into an onlooking Kikyo's hand.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 49 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 8 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 19 ch. 1
	Publication Date: November 5, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 165: The Best Clue to Defeat Naraku
Notes: The Japanese title is simply "Gakusanjin" however Viz's English translation appropriately translated the kanji of his name to give readers the connotation of the meaning of the kanji used in the mountain demon's name. When given the crystals to detect the fuyoheki, Miroku asks what these crystals are and Gakusanjin simply says "crystals holding my demonic power" (わしの妖気の結晶だ。). In other words they have no name. Kocho and Asuka die in this chapter at Kohaku's hand. We also see why Kikyo gave the duo strands of her hair in chapter 331. This chapter also marks the beginning of Kikyo and Kohaku's becoming aware of one another which will continue to be important for the rest of the series. The paper dolls left behind when Kohaku kills Kocho and Asuka show their true forms as shikigami (式神). Shikigami are objects animated by infusing spiritual energy into them. Table of Contents Q: What do you do when stress builds up? A: I'll sleep or call a friend.

Chapter 337: 不妖璧
Fuyoheki
(The Nulling Stone)
Kagome senses a single Shikon fragment which can only mean that Kohaku is nearby. Kohaku stares defiantly as Kikyo asks him why he would follow someone like Naraku, who has suddenly appeared behind Kikyo, poised to attack. Meanwhile, the crystal given to the group begins to indicate that they are drawing near to the power suppressing stone Naraku stole from Gakusanjin. Kikyo is having difficulty following Naraku's attacks since she can no longer detect his spiritual energy, due to the suppressing effects of the stone. He manages to pin her and commands Kohaku to take her head. Just then Inuyasha and the others arrive causing Naraku to flee. As Inuyasha explains to Kikyo why she was unable to detect Naraku's presence, Kikyo learns that Kohaku is Sango's brother. Elsewhere Kagura is speaking aloud to herself with Kohaku nearby. He uncharacteristically responds to her and tells her that he believes Naraku was attempting to keep Kikyo from getting too close to the Infant that contains his heart. This openness from Kohaku shocks Kagura and she begins to suspect that he has regained his memory. Shippo checks on Kagome while Inuyasha and Kikyo talk things over. She seems to be alright with them sharing a private moment but cannot help but wonder what they are discussing. Kikyo explains that Naraku has taken his heart out of his body and placed it somewhere else which is why she can no longer injure him by attacking his body. Just as they are talking Naraku gives the spirit-masking stone to the Infant to ensure that no one will be able to detect where he has his heart hidden away.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 50-51 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 9 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 19 ch. 2
	Publication Date: November 12, 2003
	Pages: 3 (full color) 15 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 165: The Best Clue to Defeat Naraku
Notes: Naraku mentions this is the first time he has seen Kikyo since Mount Hakurei. That was in chapter 281. Table of Contents Q: If you could make your own law, what would it be? A: Thank you for the 7th anniversary. Please continue to support us. Webmasters' Note: Takahashi ignored the question to thank readers for the success of Inuyasha which was celebrating its 7th anniversary in this issue.

Chapter 338: 魄
Haku
(Harvesting Souls)
A group of soldiers is attacked by a giant flying eel as Kohaku recounts what Kagura has told him about Fuyouheki, the stone that hides Naraku's aura. Kagura and Kohaku are planning to use the detection crystals to track down the Infant that houses Naraku and Hakudoshi's heart and eliminate him. Hakudoshi notices the large eel and decides to go and kill it along with Kohaku. Once that is finished they find human spirits inside the giant beast's stomach. Meanwhile Koga, Hakkaku, and Ginta are on the trail of someone they believe to be Naraku. What they find is a demon that seems to be comprised of pieces of other creatures. Inuyasha and the others seem to be having no luck as well, as their trail has grown cold. Kagome perks up when she senses Koga's Shikon shards ahead and they arrive just in time to see a large egg hatch from the creature.

Chapter Details

	Published In: Shonen Sunday 2003 Vol. 52 Inuyasha Tankobon Vol. 34 ch. 10 Inuyasha Wideban Vol. 19 ch. 3
	Publication Date: November 26, 2003
	Pages: 18 (black and white)
	Anime Adaptation: Episode 165: The Best Clue to Defeat Naraku
Notes: The back cover of this issue of Shonen Sunday features an ad for the Playstation 2 video game, Inuyasha: Legend of the Cursed Mask. The actual title of this chapter is "haku" (魄) which is "yin energy". Kon (魂) is "yang energy". Both of these could also simply be called "spirit". You can read more about this in our cultural notes. The flying demon is simply referred to as "Haku" as well. Table of Contents Q: What's the scariest experience you've ever had? A: I had a dream that I was really bad at drawing...twice.

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