The Naruto series is set on a fictional continent that is divided into a number of different countries.
Countries
Countries operate as separate political entities and are presumably all monarchies, ruled by daimyō who stand equally in rank with the Hidden Villages' Kage. The Naruto world is similar to feudal Japan in many aspects; those countries maintain balance between themselves through nothing but power. Treaties are periodically signed, but they are generally not worth much more than the paper they are written on.
The Land of Fire
Main article: Land of Fire
The Land of Fire (火の国, Hi no Kuni) is one of the largest and most powerful countries seen, and is the home of the main characters of the series. Its government leader is the Fire Daimyō. The Land of Fire was the first country to adopt a ninja village, Konohagakure, a custom other countries would soon adopt. The Land of Fire is appropriately oriented towards the element of fire, typically having very bright and warm weather. While not the physically largest country, it has the largest hidden village.
The Land of Water
Main article: Land of Water
The Land of Water (水の国, Mizu no Kuni) also known as the "Land of Mist" (霧の国, Kiri no Kuni).[1][2] It is composed of many islands, with each having its own unique traditions. The country's weather is typically cool and the islands are usually covered by mist. The islands themselves also feature many lakes. In some places, like the area where Haku grew up, it is very cold and snows quite a bit. The nation is oriented towards the element of water. Its government leader is the Water Daimyō.
The Land of Sound
Main article: Land of Sound
The Land of Sound (音の国, Oto no Kuni) is a neighbouring country of the Land of Fire. It is a relatively new country in the political scene, though it has existed for some time under the name of the Land of Rice Fields (田の国, Ta no Kuni, English TV: Land of Rice Paddies). According to the anime, Orochimaru conquered the country and convinced its daimyō to let him establish his own ninja village.[3]
The Land of Earth
Main article: Land of Earth
The Land of Earth (土の国, Tsuchi no Kuni) has seen little attention in the series thus far. It is located north-west of the Land of Fire. Its government leader is the Earth Daimyō. The country is mostly comprised of desolate, rocky areas. The border of the Land of Earth runs along a rocky mountain range, blocking communication with other countries. The wind blowing from the north passes over these mountains, carrying small rocks from the Land of Earth to the surrounding countries. This famous natural phenomenon is called "Rock Rain" (岩雨, Gan'u).
The Land of Lightning
Main article: Land of Lightning
The Land of Lightning (雷の国, Kaminari no Kuni) is located on a peninsula north-east of the Land of Fire and is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Its government leader is the Lightning Daimyō. In the centre of the country are vast mountain ranges, whose many thunderstorms are said to give the country its name. From these mountain ranges, many rivers flow to the sea, creating a very crooked coastline that displays an impressive oceanic beauty. There are many hot springs located within the country. The country's western border with the Land of Frost has a large desert.[4]
The Land of Wind
Main article: Land of Wind
The Land of Wind (風の国, Kaze no Kuni) is one of the more prominent countries in the series. It is located to the south-west of the Land of Fire and borders the Land of Rivers and Amegakure. Its government leader is the Wind Daimyō. The country covers a vast realm, but is significantly composed of deserts and thus has little productivity.[5] Because there is very little rainfall throughout the year, the people of the country live in villages built on one of the desert's many oases. Despite the country's extremely harsh environment, it has a large population. Although they have warred with each other in the past, the Land of Wind is now on good terms with the Land of Fire, with a great deal of trade going on between the two countries.
The Land of Waves
Main article: Land of Waves
The Land of Waves (波の国, Nami no Kuni) is a nation located on an island near the Land of Fire. It does not have a hidden village, thus relying on seeking assistance from other hidden villages like Konohagakure.
The Land of Iron
Main article: Land of Iron
The Land of Iron (鉄の国, Tetsu no Kuni) is an icy, snow-covered country located among three mountains called the Three Wolves (三狼, Sanrō). Unlike other countries of the world whose militaries use shinobi, the Land of Iron's military is made up of samurai. Due to the differing ideologies between shinobi and samurai – as well as the fact that the Land of Iron's samurai are quite formidable – there is an agreement among shinobi not to interfere with the Land of Iron.[6]
The Land of Snow
Main article: Land of Snow
The Land of Snow (雪の国, Yuki no Kuni) is a nation introduced in Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, that is also briefly mentioned in the anime and in the Hiden novels. The nation would eventually be introduced in the manga.Originally, the country was a small, but peaceful place. However, it was taken over by a tyrant, Dotō Kazahana, after he and his mercenaries killed his older brother and predecessor, Sōsetsu Kazahana.
The Land of the Sky
Main article: Land of the Sky
The Land of the Sky (空の国, Sora no Kuni) is a country featured in Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds. It was formed by ninja from several countries that could mould their chakra into mist in order to fly. It is said that they fought in the Second Shinobi World War, and their hidden village was destroyed in the war by Konohagakure for challenging the Five Great Shinobi Countries, but the country itself survived. They apparently have quite the reputation as Tsunade was terrified that the descendants of the survivors were attacking Konohagakure, which was devastated due to a powerful and unexpected air raid. Shinnō is a prominent member of this country.
Minor Countries
Benisu Island, Ancestors, Bamboo, Bean Jam, Bears, Birds, File:Land of Calm Seas Symbol.svg Calm Seas, Claws, Demons, Fangs, Flowers, Forests, Frost, File:Land of Haze Symbol.svg Haze, Honey, Hot Water, Keys, Medicines, Mountain Streams, Mountains, Neck, Noodles, Redaku, Rivers, Sand, Silence, Stairs, Stone, Swamps, Tea, That, This, Valleys, Vegetables, Whirlpools, Woods, Moon, Sea, Rōran
Hidden Villages
Hidden Villages are parts of countries in which the country's ninja reside. Their leaders stand equally with the landlords ruling the countries they are a part of. A Hidden Village maintains its economy by training its citizens to be ninja from a young age and using them as manpower in various missions others would be willing to pay for, from weeding a garden for a single payment to receiving a constant budget from the country it resides in for being soldiers in case the country is involved in a war.
Amegakure
Main article: Amegakure
Amegakure (雨隠れの里, Amegakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Rain) is a small but highly industrialised hidden village located in an unnamed country. As its name suggests, it rains almost constantly in Amegakure and the surrounding area. All the water seemingly ends in a large lake that surrounds the village.
Bamboo Village
Main article: Bamboo Village
The Bamboo Village (竹ノ村, Take no Mura) is a small village in the Land of Hot Water. It is surrounded by a forest of bamboo, and as such most of the village's buildings and goods are made out of bamboo.
Ceramic Village
Main article: Ceramic Village
The Ceramic Village (陶の里, Chori no Sato) was a small village in the Land of Wind, near the border with the Land of Rivers. The area surrounding the village was not as barren as most of the country, being well-forested. Per its name, the village was famous for its ceramics, the clay for which was gathered from the surrounding area.
Curtain Village
Main article: Curtain Village
Curtain Village (幄の里, Tobari no Sato) is the capital of the Land of Silence.[7] The city hosts the only black market in the region.[8] The majority of its citizens live in poverty and crime; many former shinobi sell their headbands in exchange for money, while a select few nobility are afforded everything they want.
Daidai Village
Main article: Daidai Village
Daidai Village (橙村, Daidai-mura) is a small village inhabited by the members of the Yoimura Clan.
Genjutsu Tree Village
Main article: Genjutsu Tree Village
This unnamed village is hidden among special trees that produce a genjutsu-like effect, thus protecting the village from invaders. Naruto and Jiraiya came to the village to hone Naruto's genjutsu-repelling abilities. Villagers use Chilli Pepper Bombs to counter the genjutsu-like effects.
Hachō Village
Main article: Hachō Village
The Hachō Village (ハチョウ村, Hachō-mura) is a village lying on the outskirts of the border of the Land of Fire. They are on very friendly terms with the Tonika Village. When the village was attacked by Kabuto Yakushi in his attempt to gain access to The Hole, the villagers that were able to survive all fled to this village and the Hachō Village later sent officers to help guard the ruined village.
Hoshigakure
Main article: Hoshigakure
Hoshigakure (星隠れの里, Hoshigakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden Among Stars) was introduced during the Star Guard Mission. It is founded by the First Hoshikage two hundred years before the start of the series and is located in the Land of Bears. It is also one of the lesser-known shinobi villages in the Naruto universe. Hoshigakure was formed sometime after a strange meteorite, which the inhabitants called the "star", struck its location two hundred years earlier.
Howling Wolf Village
Main article: Howling Wolf Village
The Howling Wolf Village (狼哭の里, Rōkoku no Sato) was originally a settlement of the Kodon clan. Since ancient times, the settlement was periodically attacked by Rōen, a wolf-like monster. The Kodon eventually found a way to seal Rōen, bringing peace to the region and leading non-Kodon to settle in the village. By selling medicines and offering modest shinobi services, the Howling Wolf was able to support itself as a hidden village.
Inaho Village
Main article: Inaho Village
Inaho Village (稲穂村, Inaho-mura, English TV: Rice Village) is located near the hills where Genmai was kidnapped.
Ishigakure
Main article: Ishigakure
Ishigakure (石隠れの里, Ishigakure no Sato, Viz: Hidden Rock Village, literally meaning: Village Hidden in Stones) is the hidden village of the country located between the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
Iwagakure
Main article: Iwagakure
Iwagakure (岩隠れの里, Iwagakure no Sato, English TV: Hidden Stone Village, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Rocks) is the hidden village of the Land of Earth. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Iwagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Tsuchikage, of which there have been four in its history. The rocky mountain ranges that surround the village provide a natural stronghold that it is very proud of.
Jōmae Village
Main article: Jōmae Village
The Jōmae Village (錠前の里, Jōmae no Sato, literally meaning: Lock Village) is an anime-only shinobi village located in the Land of Keys. This village's shinobi are experts in espionage in order to gain information for negotiations with larger, more powerful nations.
Kagerō Village
Main article: Kagerō Village
Kagerō Village (陽炎の里, Kagerō no Sato, English TV: Heat Devil Village, literally meaning: Heat Haze Village), was a small village located in the Land of Mountains.
Kirigakure
Main article: Kirigakure
Kirigakure (霧隠れの里, Kirigakure no Sato, English TV: Village Hidden in the Mist, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Mist) is the hidden village of the Land of Water. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Kiri has a Kage as its leader known as the Mizukage, of which there have been six in its history. Befitting its name, the village is surrounded by a thick mist, with several mountains in the background, making it difficult to find by foreigners.
Kisaragi Village
Main article: Kisaragi Village
Kisaragi Village (如月の里, Kisaragi no Sato) is a village south of Konohagakure. It was the subject of attacks by bandits in league with the Shirogane clan in their search for the spirit orbs.
Konohagakure
Main article: Konohagakure
Konohagakure (木ノ葉隠れの里, Konohagakure no Sato, English TV: "Village Hidden in the Leaves" or "Hidden Leaf Village", literally meaning: Village Hidden by Tree Leaves) is the hidden village of the Land of Fire. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Konohagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Hokage, of which there have been eight in its history. Konoha resides deep within a forest at the base of a mountain known as the Hokage Rock, which has the faces of all those who have taken the office of Hokage engraved on it.
Kumogakure
Main article: Kumogakure
Kumogakure (雲隠れの里, Kumogakure no Sato, English TV: Hidden Cloud Village, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Clouds) is the hidden village of the Land of Lightning and was founded by the First Raikage. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Kumogakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Raikage, of which there have been five in its history. The village is located in a range of tall mountains, and is literally hidden in the clouds.
Kusagakure
Main article: Kusagakure
Kusagakure (草隠れの里, Kusagakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden in the Grass) is located thus far in an unnamed country. Because it had genin participating in the Chūnin Exams organised by Konohagakure, it can be assumed the two villages are allied.
Mount Katsuragi
Main article: Mount Katsuragi
Mount Katsuragi (葛城山, Katsuragizan) is a mountain which holds the Tsuchigumo clan's kinjutsu. Hotaru and Tonbee live on this mountain. To prevent any intruders from obtaining the kinjutsu, the mountain is surrounded by a seemingly unbreakable barrier and protected by a large amount of traps.
Mount Myōboku
Main article: Mount Myōboku
Mount Myōboku (妙木山, Myōbokuzan, literally meaning: Mysterious/Exquisite Tree Mountain), also known as the "Mountain of Bewilderment" (迷いの山, Mayoi no Yama, Viz: Maze Mountain)[9] and the "Land of Toads" (蝦蟇の国, Gama no Kuni),[10] is one of the big three unexplored sage regions, a legendary place that is equally as famous as the other two, Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave.[11] It's the land of toads and the place where all the toads that Naruto, Minato, and Jiraiya have summoned live. It is home for huge and small toads alike. Mount Myōboku is a rich and beautiful land, whose ultimate authority seems to be the Great Toad Sage. Shima and Fukasaku are both elders and sages, and they seem to have an even higher authority than Gamabunta himself.
Nadeshiko Village
Main article: Nadeshiko Village
The Nadeshiko Village (撫子の里, Nadeshiko no Sato) is a shinobi village located near the Land of Water. The families of this village are organised through matrilineality. Women from this village must venture outside to find men strong enough to defeat them, resulting in them being taken to the village to marry the kunoichi they defeated.
Otogakure
Main article: Otogakure
Otogakure (音隠れの里, Otogakure no Sato, English TV: Village Hidden in the Sound, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Sound) is the personal hidden village of Orochimaru, which was founded after he left the Akatsuki[12] for the express purpose of collecting ninja for his experiments and his quest to learn all techniques. In later years, following Orochimaru's new appreciation for natural development of people and making a truce with Konohagakure, Otogakure was reestablished as a legitimate shinobi village.[13]
Ryūchi Cave
Main article: Ryūchi Cave
Ryūchi Cave (龍地洞, Ryūchidō, literally meaning: Dragon Ground Cave) is one of the big three unexplored sage regions, a legendary place that is equally famous as the other two, Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest.[14] It is the residence of the snakes — including the sacred White Snake Sage — and is also where Orochimaru uncovered the source of Jūgo's clan's abilities. Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi trained here to achieve Sage Mode, though only the latter was successful in this endeavour.[15]
Shangri-la
Main article: Shangri-la
Shangri-la was a village located in what was sometimes called the Valley of Lies. It was a haven for those with bounties on their heads who wanted to live their lives without worrying about being pursued by bounty hunters.
Shikkotsu Forest
Main article: Shikkotsu Forest
The Shikkotsu Forest (湿骨林, Shikkotsurin, English TV: Shikkotsu Woods, literally meaning: Damp Bone Forest) is a legendary place and one of the three unexplored sage regions; the other two being: Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.[16][17] It is the home of the slug Katsuyu,[18] parts of which are summoned by Tsunade and her disciple Sakura Haruno.
Shimogakure
Main article: Shimogakure
Shimogakure (霜隠れの里, Shimogakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden in Frost) is the hidden village located in the Land of Frost.
Sugi Village
Main article: Sugi Village
Sugi Village (杉の里, Sugi no Sato, literally meaning: Cedar Village) is an anime-only ninja village, in an unspecified country.
Sunagakure
Main article: Sunagakure
Sunagakure (砂隠れの里, Sunagakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Sand) is the hidden village of the Land of Wind. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Sunagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Kazekage, of which there have been five in its history. Being surrounded by desert offers the village a natural deterrent against invasion, as few foreign powers would be willing to endure the sandstorms and water scarcity common to Suna.
Takigakure
Main article: Takigakure
Takigakure (滝隠れの里, Takigakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden by a Waterfall) is a village located in an unnamed country. In terms of the village's appearance, Takigakure seems to be based on mostly Southeast Asian aesthetics. Their current leader is Shibuki.
Takumi Village
Main article: Takumi Village
Takumi Village (匠の里, Takumi no Sato, literally meaning: Village of Artisans) is an anime-only village that resides in the Land of Rivers. It was founded approximately one hundred years ago by a man named Seimei. Takumi is known for its skills in making weaponry, many of which are sold to the ninja villages of the world.
Tanigakure
Main article: Tanigakure Tanigakure (谷隠れの里, Tanigakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden in Valleys) is the hidden village of the Land of Rivers.
Thirty years before the start of the series, this village ambushed Kagerō Village two weeks after they had agreed to a ceasefire with Konohagakure. Gennō is the sole survivor of that attack, as he was in Konoha at the time.[19]
Tonika Village
Main article: Tonika Village
The Tonika Village (トニカ村, Tonika-mura) is a village located on the outskirts of the border of the Land of Fire. It is also where The Hole is located. The village was destroyed during Kabuto Yakushi's invasion which was geared towards acquiring The Hole to conduct his experiments. During the invasion, the villagers fought bravely to defend their home, but Kabuto's reincarnated pawns were too powerful and overwhelming.
Tsuchigumo Village
Main article: Tsuchigumo Village
The Tsuchigumo village is the village of the Tsuchigumo clan. It is led by the Tsuchigumo chief. This village is composed of the members of the Tsuchigumo clan who refused to follow En no Gyōja to Mount Katsuragi, and consequently denied the Tsuchigumo clan kinjutsu. They were made into pawns by the Magaki Group, who sought the kinjutsu.
Tsukigakure
Main article: Tsukigakure
Tsukigakure (月隠れの里, Tsukigakure no Sato, English: Hidden Moon Village, literally meaning: Village Hidden under the Moon) is a hidden village led by Tsukino, who succeeded her father after he died. They have a hereditary system and so positions are passed down to the next generation.
Uzushiogakure
Main article: Uzushiogakure
Uzushiogakure (渦潮隠れの里, Uzushiogakure no Sato, English TV: Hidden Eddy Village, literally meaning: Village Hidden by Whirling Tides) was the shinobi village of the Land of Whirlpools. The people of Uzushiogakure were noted to have notoriously long lives, so it gained the epithet "The Village of Longevity" (長寿の里, Chōju no Sato).[20]
Yugakure
Main article: Yugakure
Yugakure (湯隠れの里, Yugakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden in Hot Water) is the hidden village of the Land of Hot Water. Like the country in which it resides, Yugakure has strong inclinations towards pacifism.
Yukigakure
Main article: Yukigakure
Yukigakure (雪隠れの里, Yukigakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden Among Snow) is a hidden village located in the Land of Snow. Its ninja apparently specialise in manipulating pre-existing ice, typically in the forms of various animals.
Yumegakure
Main article: Yumegakure
Yumegakure (夢隠れの里, Yumegakure no Sato, literally meaning: Village Hidden Among Dreams) is a small village located in a deep forest of a tiny country, near the border of the Land of Fire. It is led by Enzo Tenrō.
- ↑ Naruto chapter 30, page 3
- ↑ Naruto: Shippūden episode 488
- ↑ Naruto episode 136
- ↑ Naruto chapter 525, page 12
- ↑ Naruto chapter 648, page 11
- ↑ Naruto chapter 456, pages 15-16
- ↑ Shikamaru Hiden
- ↑ Boruto episode 159
- ↑ Naruto chapter 409, page 4
- ↑ Naruto: Shippūden episode 461
- ↑ Jin no Sho, page 79
- ↑ Orochimaru Birthday Column
- ↑ Boruto episode 5
- ↑ Jin no Sho, page 79
- ↑ Naruto chapter 579, pages 13-18
- ↑ Jin no Sho, page 79
- ↑ Naruto chapter 579, page 12
- ↑ Naruto chapter 635, page 1
- ↑ Naruto Episode #200
- ↑ Naruto chapter 500, pages 2-4