Changes: Forehead Protector

Revision as of 20:26, 7 February 2016

A forehead protector (額当て, Hitai-ate) is a headband composed of a metal plate and a band of cloth. Forehead protectors are worn by most shinobi and are engraved with the symbol of their hidden village. Forehead protectors have been worn since at least the time of Asura Ōtsutsuki, though there was no engraving then.^[1]

Meaning

Forehead protectors are usually worn as a sign of pride and fealty for one's village. Ninja consider it an honourable, important part of their tradition, and make a point of wearing it at all times, especially when sparring with a comrade from the same village. Although not wearing a forehead protector is frequently viewed as disrespectful to one's village and peers,^[2] a ninja who does not wear one may still be loyal to their village.

Itachi — A scratched forehead protector.

Some missing-nin, such as Zabuza Momochi, continue wearing their forehead protector even after they've left their village. Akatsuki members who retain their forehead protectors carve a long, horizontal scratch across the symbol, to show they have rescinded their allegiances and rejected their villages. Villagers of Amegakure aligned with Pain bear the same scratches across their forehead protectors, but remain loyal to the village; it symbolises their victory during the civil war against Hanzō.

File:Joint shinobi forehead protectors.png

The Allied Shinobi Forces' forehead protector.

In preparation for the Fourth Shinobi World War, Mifune designs a new forehead protector to be worn by members of the Allied Shinobi Forces. Engraved with the kanji for shinobi (忍), it symbolises that, whereas once each ninja fought for their villages separately, they now stand united under one banner for the same cause. The members of the Alliance wear this in place of their original forehead protector.

Variations

Placement

Despite being called a "forehead protector", it is not necessary for a ninja to wear it on their forehead or even on their head at all.

Sakura Haruno wears hers as a hair-band.
Genma Shiranui wears his like a bandanna with the village symbol facing backwards.
Kankurō wears his on his hood.
Kakashi Hatake wears his as a makeshift eye-patch.
Hinata Hyūga wears it around her neck.
Shikamaru Nara wears his on his upper left arm.
Chōjūrō uses it like a badge on his chest.
Yagura uses an undershirt in which the protector is in the middle.
Gaara wraps his on his sand gourd.
Might Guy and Rock Lee wear theirs as a belt.
Ino Yamanaka ties hers around her midsection.
Konan's is not ordinarily visible; she wears it underneath her cloak on her right hip.

Colour

Navy Blue: The most common colour of forehead protectors. Many ninja keep this colour for the entirety of their ninja career.
Black: The second most common colour of forehead protectors. Some, such as Naruto Uzumaki, even switch from blue to black after the timeskip.
Crimson: Common among ninja of Iwagakure. Also used by Rock Lee and Might Guy and, after the timeskip, Sakura Haruno and Chōji Akimichi.
White: Though rarely seen, several Kumogakure ninja use it, as do the Four Celestial Symbols Men.
Purple: Has been used by those loyal to Otogakure and Hoshigakure. Inoichi Yamanaka and the Gold and Silver Brothers also use purple.
Brown: Seen briefly in the ninth OVA, worn by a Kumokagure genin.
Dark Green: Has been used by genin of Kusagakure in the anime: Team Kazami.

Design

There have been some cases where the design of the metal plate or cloth has been modified in some way, beyond mere cloth colour.

Trivia

On the cover for chapter 567, each jinchūriki is shown with a white forehead protector with the kanji for the number of tails of their respective tailed beasts.
Masashi Kishimoto, in an interview, noted that he created forehead protectors because he found it too cumbersome to draw Naruto's goggles every week.
In episode 27 of Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden, Chōza is seen wearing a forehead protector with the kanji "shinobi", similar to the ones worn by the shinobi of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

References

↑ Chapter 462
↑ Chapter 175

[1] Chapter 462

[2] Chapter 175

[1]

[2]

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-A {{translation|'''forehead protector'''|額当て|Hitai-ate}} is a headband that is worn by almost every [[shinobi]], composed of a metal plate engraved with the symbol of the ninja's Hidden Village, and normally a band of cloth which can be in different colours. The forehead protector is received once a ninja graduates from the [[Academy]], and [[genin]]-level or higher ranked ninja are the only ones allowed to have and use them.
+A {{translation|'''forehead protector'''|額当て|Hitai-ate}} is a [[wikipedia:headband|headband]] composed of a metal plate and a band of cloth. Forehead protectors are worn by most [[shinobi]] and are engraved with the symbol of their [[hidden village]]. Forehead protectors have been worn since at least the time of [[Asura Ōtsutsuki]], though there was no engraving then.<ref>Chapter 462</ref>
-== Background ==
+== Meaning ==
-The forehead protector is meant to symbolise pride in one's village, as well as a symbol of fealty. Ninja consider it an honourable, important part of their tradition, and make a point of wearing it at all times, especially when [[Traditional Shinobi Sparring|sparring]] with a comrade from the same village. For example, after the [[search for Tsunade]], [[Naruto]] was disgusted by [[Sasuke]]'s refusal to wear his forehead protector during their fight. There are also some ninjas who do not wear their forehead protectors, despite still being loyal to the village (such as the [[Sannin]], [[Shizune]], and [[Nagato]]. Some characters such as [[Shino Aburame]] still wear their forehead protectors under their clothing, stopping it from being visible being under his hood (worn in the conventional style).
+Forehead protectors are usually worn as a sign of pride and fealty for one's village. Ninja consider it an honourable, important part of their tradition, and make a point of wearing it at all times, especially when [[Traditional Shinobi Sparring|sparring]] with a comrade from the same village. Although not wearing a forehead protector is frequently viewed as disrespectful to one's village and peers,<ref>Chapter 175</ref> a ninja who does not wear one may still be loyal to their village.
+[[File:Itachi.png|thumb|left|A scratched forehead protector.]]
-== Variations ==
+Some [[missing-nin]], such as [[Zabuza Momochi]], continue wearing their forehead protector even after they've left their village. [[Akatsuki]] members who retain their forehead protectors carve a long, horizontal scratch across the symbol, to show they have rescinded their allegiances and rejected their villages. Villagers of [[Amegakure]] aligned with [[Pain]] bear the same scratches across their forehead protectors, but remain loyal to the village; it symbolises their victory during the civil war against [[Hanzō]].
-Despite the name "forehead protector", it can be worn in many different styles. For example, while the majority do wear theirs in the traditional manner, [[Sakura]] uses hers as a hair-band, [[Shikamaru]] has his on his upper arm, whereas [[Ino]] (in Part I) wore hers as a belt, [[Rock Lee]] and [[Might Guy]] wear theirs as a belt when they wear their green jumpsuits, while [[Temari]] (in Part I) and [[Hinata]] wear theirs as chokers. [[Genma Shiranui]] wears his forehead protector like a bandanna with the village symbol facing backwards. Others such as [[Izumo Kamizuki]] and [[Chōji Akimichi]] (in Part I) wore theirs like customised bandanna. [[Tobirama Senju]], [[Kisame Hoshigaki]], [[Zaku Abumi]] and [[Yamato]] also wear a mask-style forehead protector that frames their faces, rather than a cloth wrapping around their heads. [[Kankurō]] wears his on his hood. [[Gaara]] wraps his on his sand gourd. [[Yagura]] uses a under-shirt in which is the protector of Kirigakure in the middle and [[Chōjūrō]] uses it like a badge on his chest. [[Kakashi Hatake]] and [[Tonbo Tobitake]] wore theirs as makeshift eye-patches. Some characters even wear their headbands underneath their clothing; for example, [[Konan]] wears hers underneath her Akatsuki cloak on her right hip.
-[[File:UchihaItachi.png|thumb|left|Itachi with a scratched forehead protector.]]
+[[File:Joint shinobi forehead protectors.png|thumb|The Allied Shinobi Forces' forehead protector.]]
+In preparation for the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]], [[Mifune]] designs a new forehead protector to be worn by members of the [[Allied Shinobi Forces]]. Engraved with the kanji for {{translation|''shinobi''|忍}}, it symbolises that, whereas once each ninja fought for their villages separately, they now stand united under one banner for the same cause. The members of the Alliance wear this in place of their original forehead protector.
-Several [[missing-nin]] (such as [[Zabuza Momochi]]) do not stop wearing their forehead protector, while others (such as [[Orochimaru]]) may discard them. [[Akatsuki]] members who do retain their forehead protectors carve a long, horizontal scratch across the symbol, to show they have rescinded their allegiances and rejected their villages. Also, while the citizens of [[Amegakure]] currently bear the same scratches across their forehead protectors, it does not mean they are missing-nin. Rather, it symbolises their victory over the civil war between [[Hanzō]] the recognised leader of Ame and [[Pain]], the leader of [[Akatsuki]] rebel faction.
+== Variations ==
-[[Jiraiya]] also wears a special forehead protector, which, instead of a piece of metal with the village's symbol attached to a cloth, it is a thick metal band, shaped like a frog's head, with the kanji {{Translation|"oil"|油|abura}} on the centre. Forehead protectors date to the time of the [[Sage of the Six Paths]] and his children, the earliest one seen being worn by [[Asura]]. It was a regular headband with no symbol.
+=== Placement ===
+Despite being called a "forehead protector", it is not necessary for a ninja to wear it on their forehead or even on their head at all.
+*[[Sakura Haruno]] wears hers as a hair-band.
+*[[Genma Shiranui]] wears his like a bandanna with the village symbol facing backwards.
+*[[Kankurō]] wears his on his hood.
+*[[Kakashi Hatake]] wears his as a makeshift eye-patch.
+*[[Hinata Hyūga]] wears it around her neck.
+*[[Shikamaru Nara]] wears his on his upper left arm.
+*[[Chōjūrō]] uses it like a badge on his chest.
+*[[Yagura]] uses an undershirt in which the protector is in the middle.
+*[[Gaara]] wraps his on his sand gourd.
+*[[Might Guy]] and [[Rock Lee]] wear theirs as a belt.
+*[[Ino Yamanaka]] ties hers around her midsection.
+*[[Konan]]'s is not ordinarily visible; she wears it underneath her cloak on her right hip.
+=== Colour ===
-[[File:Joint shinobi forehead protectors.png|thumb|The forehead protector for the Allied Shinobi Forces.]]
+* '''Navy Blue''': The most common colour of forehead protectors. Many ninja keep this colour for the entirety of their ninja career.
-Since the formation of the [[Allied Shinobi Forces]] a new forehead protector has been crafted by [[Mifune]], one with the kanji for {{translation|''shinobi''|忍}} on it. This symbolises that whereas once each ninja fought for their villages separately, they would now stand united under one banner for the same cause. The members of the Alliance wear this in place of their original forehead protector.
+* '''Black''': The second most common colour of forehead protectors. Some, such as [[Naruto Uzumaki]], even switch from blue to black after the timeskip.
+* '''Crimson''': Common among ninja of [[Iwagakure]]. Also used by [[Rock Lee]] and [[Might Guy]] and, after the timeskip, [[Sakura Haruno]] and [[Chōji Akimichi]].
+* '''White''': Though rarely seen, several [[Kumogakure]] ninja use it, as do the [[Four Celestial Symbols Men]].
+* '''Purple''': Has been used by those loyal to [[Otogakure]] and [[Hoshigakure]]. [[Inoichi Yamanaka]] and the [[Gold and Silver Brothers]] also use purple.
+* '''Brown''': Seen briefly in the [[Chūnin Exam on Fire! Naruto vs. Konohamaru!|ninth OVA]], worn by a Kumokagure genin.
+* '''Dark Green''': Has been used by [[genin]] of [[Kusagakure]] in the anime: [[Team Kazami]].
+=== Design ===
-In the epilogue, forehead protectors is not used by any shinobi. It is probably because of peace in the world, it is not useful anymore like kunai, shuriken etc.
+There have been some cases where the design of the metal plate or cloth has been modified in some way, beyond mere cloth colour.
+<gallery hideaddbutton=true>
-== Colours and Styles ==
+Gozu profile pic.png|[[Gōzu]]'s one-horned forehead protector.
-Throughout the course of the series the cloth of the ninja forehead protectors have been seen in many different colours and worn in many different styles.
+Meizu.png|[[Meizu]]'s two-horned forehead protector.
-* Navy Blue: This is the most common colour of forehead protectors. Many ninja keep this colour for the entirety of their ninja career.
+Profile Jiraiya.PNG|[[Jiraiya]]'s horned forehead protector with the kanji for {{translation|"Oil"|油|abura}}, denoting his affiliation with [[Mount Myōboku]].
-* Crimson: Some ninja have a crimson-coloured forehead protectors such as [[Rock Lee]] and [[Might Guy]]. Other ninja changed from blue to crimson over the time-skip including [[Sakura Haruno]] and [[Chōji Akimichi]]. Iwagakure ninja also tend to use crimson coloured forehead protectors.
+Tobirama Senju.png|[[Tobirama Senju]]'s [[Wikipedia:Mengu (Japanese facial armour)#Happuri|happuri]]-style forehead protector.
-* Black: Many ninja also wear black forehead protectors such as [[Kakashi Hatake]], [[Sai]], [[Itachi Uchiha]], [[Neji Hyūga]], [[Gaara]], and [[Temari]]. Many ninja changed from blue to black over the time skip, including [[Naruto Uzumaki]], [[Tenten]], [[Iruka Umino]], and all of [[Team Kurenai]].
+Zabuza2.PNG|[[Zabuza Momochi]]'s long-clothed forehead protector.
-* White: While hardly ever seen, forehead protectors can be pure white in colour such as [[Killer B]] and several other ninja from [[Kumogakure]], and the [[Four Celestial Symbols Men]]. During a flashback from Chōji Akimichi, a Konohagakure ninja was seen wearing a white forehead protector
+Pain arrives.png|The [[Six Paths of Pain]]'s headband-style forehead protector.
-* Purple: Several [[Otogakure]] ninja have been seen wearing purple forehead protectors, such as [[Zaku Abumi]], [[Kin Tsuchi]], and [[Dosu Kinuta]]. [[Inoichi Yamanaka]] also wears a purple forehead protector. Also, some shinobi from [[Hoshigakure]] wear forehead protectors, such as [[Akahoshi]]. [[Kinkaku]] and [[Ginkaku]] also wore purple forehead protectors.
+Hoshigaki Kisame.png|[[Kisame Hoshigaki]]'s back-expanded forehead protector.
-* Brown: A Kumokagure genin has been shown wearing a brown forehead protector in the [[Chūnin Exam on Fire! Naruto vs. Konohamaru!|ninth OVA]].
+Kakuzu mugshot.png|[[Kakuzu]]'s triangular forehead protector cloth.
+Hayate Gekkō.png|[[Hayate Gekkō]]'s bandanna-style forehead protector.
-=== Modified Forehead Protectors ===
-There have been some cases where the design of the metal plate or cloth has been modified in some way aside from cloth colour.
-* The [[Demon Brothers]], [[Gōzu]] and [[Meizu]], have black metal horns attached to their forehead protectors. Gōzu has one horn, while Meizu has two. It is likely these helped them gain their nickname.
-* [[Jiraiya]] wore a horned forehead protector with the kanji for {{translation|"Oil"|油|abura}}, which denotes his affiliation with Mount Myōboku.
-* [[Yamato]] and [[Tobirama Senju]]'s forehead protectors are made in a way that covers their cheeks as well. This type is called [[Wikipedia:Mengu (Japanese facial armour)#Happuri|happuri]].
-* Some characters, most notably [[Zabuza Momochi]] and [[Naruto Uzumaki]], have longer than normal cloth.
-* [[Yahiko]] and the [[Six Paths of Pain]] wore forehead protectors that weren't tied at the back of their heads, but were instead one piece of cloth. They could have possibly been held together with an elastic band.
-* Kisame Hoshigaki's forehead protector cloth seems to expand near as it goes around the back of his head and is one whole cloth.
-* [[Kakuzu]]'s forehead protector cloth form a triangular shape in the front.
-* [[Ibiki Morino]], [[Genma Shiranui]], and [[Hayate Gekkō]] have bandanna-style forehead protectors.
-* [[Hiruzen Sarutobi]]'s bandanna-style forehead protector wrapped around his helmet with extremely long ties, usually trailing behind him.
-<gallery>
-Gozu profile pic.png|Gōzu's one-horned forehead protector.
-Meizu2.jpg|Meizu's two-horned forehead protector.
-Profile Jiraiya.PNG|Jiraiya's horned forehead protector with the kanji for "Oil" on it.
-Tobirama Senju.png|Tobirama's happuri style forehead protector.
-Zabuza2.PNG|Zabuza's long-clothed forehead protector.
-PainsandKonan.jpg|The Six Paths' headband style forehead protector.
-Hoshigaki Kisame.png|Kisame's back-expanded forehead protector.
-Kakuzu mugshot.png|Kakuzu's triangular forehead protector cloth.
-Hayate2.jpg|Hayate's bandanna-style forehead protector.
 </gallery>
@@ Line 70: / Line 68: @@
 * On the cover for [[The Jinchūriki of the Village of Konoha|chapter 567]], each [[jinchūriki]] is shown with a white forehead protector with the kanji for the number of tails of their respective [[tailed beasts]].
 * [[Masashi Kishimoto]], in an interview, noted that he created forehead protectors because he found it too cumbersome to draw Naruto's goggles every week.
+* In episode 27 of ''[[Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden]]'', Chōza is seen wearing a forehead protector with the kanji "shinobi", similar to the ones worn by the shinobi of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
+==References==
+<references/>
 [[de:Stirnband]]