Seals (印, English TV: Hand signs) are used to perform many ninjutsu, genjutsu, and other secret arts other than taijutsu. The exact amount of chakra necessary to perform a jutsu is manipulated through hand seals.[1] There are different sequences of hand seals for every technique, requiring memorization.
While techniques may require a number of hand seals to work, a skilled ninja can use less or even one to perform the same technique. An example of this is the Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique, which requires a total of 44 hand seals to activate.[2] Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, however, just needed to use one hand seal to complete the technique, a testament to his skill.[3]. Itachi was able to attack Kakashi with a Water Release: Water Fang Bullet, while distracting his attention by showing shuriken in his right hand, ether meaning that he could manage one hand seal, or to use the technique with out forming hand seals. [4].
Although rare, it is possible for a shinobi to be able to do hand seals with just one hand. The only shinobi so far capable of this are Haku and Guren.
Basic Seals
There are twelve basic seals, each one named after an animal of the Chinese zodiac.
- Rooster (酉, Tori)
- Boar (亥, I)
- Dog (戌, Inu): This hand seal is commonly affiliated with the movie only Ice Release and with Danzo's Wind Release.
- Dragon (辰, Tatsu)
- Ox (丑, Ushi)
- Tiger (寅, Tora): This hand seal is commonly affiliated with Fire Release.[5]
- Snake (巳, Mi): This hand seal is commonly affiliated with Earth Release[6] and with Wood Release.
- Rat (子, Ne): This hand seal is commonly affiliated with the special Shadow Techniques of the Nara clan.
- Horse (午, Uma)
- Monkey (申, Saru)
- Rabbit (卯, U)
- Ram (未, Hitsuji)
Other Hand seals
Besides the twelve basic hand seals, there are unique hand seals used for certain techniques. These hand seals are rarely seen, and can be considered unique to specific jutsu.
Haku's seals
The seals used for Haku's Demonic Ice Crystal Mirrors, are quite different than the basic twelve seals, these hand seals can also be peformed with one hand.
Mind Technique seals
The Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique.
The Yamanaka clan uses different seals to activate their techniques, such as the Mind Body Switch Technique[7] and the Mind Body Disturbance Technique.[8]
Shadow Clone seal
The Shadow Clone Technique seal is different from the basic twelve seals. Index and middle fingers from both hands are crossed.[9]
Mystical Sealing seal
The Mystical Sealing Technique used by Shion uses a numerous amount of different seals with different names as followed:
Hatsu → Jin → Kai → Min → Shin → Gan → Reppyo → Shouzen → Mika → Dan → Raku → Shou → Fu → Sai → Dan → Gika → Ragu → Bagi
Jin Seal
There is at least one seal that is used in normal techniques, yet isn't one of the basic twelve seals. The "Yang Water" (壬, Jin) seal is used in techniques such as the Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique. It is unknown how this seal is formed.