>         You shouldn't even think of things like those on a conscious,
> rational level.  You should just accept it for what it is, not analyze it to
> the point of taking a scalpel to it.  For instance, what is the significance
> behind that hand signal the characters always use in the manga?  You know,
> pinky and index finger extended, all other fingers including thumb
> contracted.  And what is the significance behind the word "Shaa..." used in 
>
The significance of the hand gesture is a very old Japanese 
superstition, arcane knowledge if your occultist, that it is a 
symbol that will ward off demons.  You can see variations of some 
hand motions and positions for various mystic bits in a lot of anime 
that uses either the old Japan setting or mysticism.

Just felt like throwing that in.

 
I've heard that Samuel Clemens once said,
 "If k-a-t doesn't spell cat, then what does it spell?"