Country of Lightning and Country of Wind
Disclaimers:
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.
Manga Publishers: Shueisha Inc. & Viz Media, LLC . Anime Producers: Studio Pierrot & TV Tokyo.
All images are properties of their respective owners and are used herein strictly for illustration purposes only.
No part of this theory may be posted elsewhere without permission. The author reserves the right to modify accordingly, depending on recent events of the manga and/or for purely speculative development. Please be guided that these only aim to explore possibilities and do not seek to prove/disprove anything.
Status: 06 April 2013 - 10 November 2014.
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.
Manga Publishers: Shueisha Inc. & Viz Media, LLC . Anime Producers: Studio Pierrot & TV Tokyo.
All images are properties of their respective owners and are used herein strictly for illustration purposes only.
No part of this theory may be posted elsewhere without permission. The author reserves the right to modify accordingly, depending on recent events of the manga and/or for purely speculative development. Please be guided that these only aim to explore possibilities and do not seek to prove/disprove anything.
Status: 06 April 2013 - 10 November 2014.
Country of Lightning in the North-East
In traditional Onmyōdō, the northeast direction is known as omote kimon (表鬼 門, literally front demon gate). The demon gate is considered ominous because this direction is where demons are believed to enter and exit. Temples are often built in this direction (e.g. Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei, northeast of Kyoto; Tōeizan Kan'ei-ji Endon-in, northeast of Edo Castle) to ward off demons. Kimon-yagura (northeastern watchtowers) of castles serve a similar purpose by inhibiting the movement of misfortune.
In some instances, statues of the kitsune (fox) are placed in these locations as well for their ability to look after evil elements.
In some instances, statues of the kitsune (fox) are placed in these locations as well for their ability to look after evil elements.
In Naruto, the Country of Lightning is in the northeast direction relative to the Country of Fire.
In this portrayal, however, instead of deflecting demons, the Village Hidden in the Clouds specifically have a temple on Turtle Island where jinchūriki train to control the tailed beasts.
Bee, host to Gyūki (Eight-Tailed Demon Ox), trained here and was said to be one of a very few number of people able to take full control of a tailed beast.
This is also the same temple where Bee helped Naruto take control of Kurama's (Nine-Tailed Demon Fox) chakra.
North-East and the Four Celestial Emblems
With reference to Naruto x Sasuke: Bonds.
The Country of Lightning is exceptional in more ways than one. Out of the five most powerful countries, it is the only country without presence in Akatsuki. Moreover, it may also be one that is appropriately symbolized.
As a country in the North-East direction and based on the concept of the Four Celestial Emblems, the Country of Lightning may be symbolized by the Blue Dragon of the East and the Black Tortoise of the North.
The Blue Dragon of the East, theoretically, may represent *Lightning element in Naruto.
Conspicuously, the Country of Lightning is named after the element and people of Kumogakure are common users of Lightning Style.
*Wood element in Chinese philosophy, Heaven in Japanese philosophy.
The Black Tortoise of the North may be associated to the Country of Lightning by the moving Turtle Island of Kumogakure (below, left).
Incidentally, Manda II attacking the island (below, right) may also be reminiscent of another depiction of the Guardian of the North
- a Tortoise intertwined with a Snake. The only difference, of course, is that the Snake was portrayed as antagonistic in this case.
Country of Wind in the South-West
If the North-East direction is considered omote kimon (表鬼 門, literally front demon gate), its opposite - the South-West direction - is known as ura kimon (裏鬼門, literally back demon gate).
The ura kimon is similarly considered ominous and temples are also built in this direction to ward off demons. The Zojoji Temple in Shiba, southwest of Tokyo, for example, stands to guard this gate in historical Edo.
The ura kimon is similarly considered ominous and temples are also built in this direction to ward off demons. The Zojoji Temple in Shiba, southwest of Tokyo, for example, stands to guard this gate in historical Edo.
In Naruto, the Country of Wind is in the West-Southwest direction relative to the Country of Fire. Theoretically, it covers part of ura kimon.
Instead of deflecting demons, however, a priest named Bunpuku served as one of the early jinchūriki to Shukaku (One-Tailed Demon Racoon Dog). Bunpuku was a wise old man who accepted Shukaku without any animosity. Gaara, albeit no longer a jinchūriki, has accepted Shukaku as his equal.
Like a temple guarding a city,
Gaara has been continuously protecting Naruto.
West and the Four Celestial Emblems
With reference to Naruto x Sasuke: Bonds.
Based on its location in the West-Southwest (i.e. inclined more to West than South) and the concept of the Four Celestial Emblems, the Country of Wind may be symbolized by the White Tiger of the West.
With reference to Naruto x Sasuke: Bonds.
Based on its location in the West-Southwest (i.e. inclined more to West than South) and the concept of the Four Celestial Emblems, the Country of Wind may be symbolized by the White Tiger of the West.
The White Tiger of the West, theoretically, may represent *Wind element in Naruto.
Conspicuously, the Country of Wind is named after the element and people of Sunagakure are common users of Wind Style.
*Metal in Chinese philosophy, also Wind in Japanese philosophy
Back in Part I, Gaara has been implied to portray the Tiger.