Warning: Chapter 394 Spoilers!

Itachi portrays Amaterasu?

? Itachi ?
- strong rivalry against Sasuke (Susanoo)
- unleashes jutsu under sunny skies. Amaterasu is goddess of the sun.

In the last chapter, note that after Itachi passed out/died (?), the once clear skies transformed back to stormy clouds.

- Mythologically, Amaterasu came out from hiding and saw her reflection in Yata no Kagami, which was hung with Yasakani no Magatama.
Itachi's Susanoo jutsu carried both treasures, Yata no Kagami used as shield and Yasakani no Magatama as his earring/s.
- Amaterasu is Itachi's only jutsu that was not 'matched' by his younger brother.
Tsukuyomi's genjutsu was easily countered by Sasuke.
The Sakegari of the Susanoo is counter to Sasuke's Kusanagi.

Sasuke, Hinata and Itachi (as Amaterasu) In Between 

Warning: Chapter 396 Spoilers!

Among the techniques of the Mangekyou Sharingan, it is Amaterasu that Sasuke obtained from his brother.

The line of manga chapter 297 where Hinata is a cover says (slight difference in translations may occur):

"Guided by the golden light, now she steps into the sun!"

 
Another way of looking at this line may be depicted in the events of manga chapter 396.

The golden light and the sun may pertain to the sun goddess Amaterasu, post-theory speculated as the possible portrayal of Itachi.

After Tobi and Zetsu left Team Konoha, Hinata used her Byakugan and spotted Itachi's Amaterasu (albeit the flames are black and not golden) which was where Sasuke may also be located.

 

She also did step into the sun, only after Yamato’s winding fissure paved the way.

 

 

Based on the theory, the feast of Amaterasu is celebrated twice:
July 17, six days before Sasuke’s birthday; and
December 21, six days before Hinata’s birthday. This specifically celebrates the coming out of the cave of Amaterasu.

Similarly, upcoming chapters are set to reveal the truth behind Uchiha Itachi, which may support a post-theory speculation that Itachi may portray Amaterasu. 

 

Tobi/Madara portrays Tsukuyomi ?

 

- manga chapter 363 shows Tobi giving orders to Pein, which may depict that it Tobi is actually the true leader of Akatsuki.

Akatsuki, although literally daybreak, has a pun that can mean red (aka) moon (tsuki).

The red moon is evident in one of the most powerful genjutsu of the Mangekyou Sharingan, appropriately named Tsukuyomi, where it hangs in the skies of the illusion and casts a red light.

 

 

 

- The Shinto kami Tsukuyomi was born from Izanagi’s right eye.

Note that Tobi/Madara’s only visible eye is his right.

 

 

- Amaterasu versus Tsukuyomi

Contrary to Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu was born from Izanagi’s left eye. Amaterasu used to live together with Tsukuyomi but was extremely angered when Tsukuyomi killed another kami. Such event henceforth separated night from day.

A yin yang metaphor may be depicted in the latest chapters of the manga.

Among the techniques of the Mangekyou Sharingan, it is only Tsukuyomi that Sasuke can overcome on his own.

During the confrontation of Tobi/Madara against Team Konoha, it is noticeable that only Hinata amongst the original members of Team 8 who did not fight head-on with Tobi/Madara.

* Where yin (Hinata) is overwhelmed, yang (Sasuke) overcomes.

 .::.

This update makes reference to: Madara portraying as Tsukuyomi

Warning: Chapter 467 Spoilers!


 

Madara has revealed his Moon's Eye plan - which involves using himself as jinchuuriki of the ten-tailed demon to activate an infinite Tsukuyomi genjutsu, a world without conflict.

 

The Uchiha Sharingan is symbolized by the mitsu-domoe. Also known as the fire-wheel/interlocked flames, this symbol is similar to the Taoist symbol of yin yang, representing the interdependence of heaven, earth and mankind.

(Image from: alljapankarate.com)

The mitsu-domoe is common in Japanese culture. They can be found on taiko drums, at the roofs of temples and shrines, martial arts dojos, and are even used as family crest. The symbol is specially regarded by the City of Okinawa, where a story tells of the sacrifice of three Okinawans/Ryukyuans who were boiled to death - thus, the swirling pattern.

In this theory, however, the mitsu-domoe will be particularly identified with the Shinto Trinity.

From the Japanese creation myth, the god Izanagi ascended from the underworld where his wife Izanami is forever trapped. He underwent purification by washing himself and brought forth the creation of other gods. The three kami (god) of utmost significance were created after he washed his face:

Amaterasu, the sun goddess and ruler of the heavens – born from the left eye;

Tsukuyomi, the moon god and ruler of the night - born from the right eye;

Susanoo, the storm god and ruler of the seas – born from the nose.

(Image from: en.wikipedia.org)

 

 

 Amaterasu – goddess of the sun and ruler of the heavens

Sasuke obtained a Mangekyou Sharingan (from Itachi) that has the ability to perform Amaterasu, a technique that creates black flames and burn about anything in its path. This is also consistent to Sasuke's representation of yang (symbolizes day and sun).

The feast of Amaterasu is celebrated twice in Japan. The first celebration is held every 17^th of July – 6 days prior to Sasuke's birthday (23 July).

Japanese myth tells the story of the rivalry between Amaterasu and her brother Susanoo, god of storms and ruler of the seas.One heated fit lead to the death of one of Amaterasu's attendants.

This action drove Amaterasu to the cave Iwayado, obscuring light and leaving the world in darkness. The goddess Ama-no-Uzume set a plan and drew Amaterasu out, once again illuminating the world.

(Image from: en.wikipedia.org)

 

This event, Amaterasu's coming out of the cave, is celebrated every 21^st of December – 6 days prior to Hinata's birthday (27 December).

 

In the Naruto manga chapter 297, the Hinata cover says:

"She sets out for the sun, its golden light her beacon."

Hinata may bring light to Sasuke’s darkness (and the name pun is unintended here).

 

According to tradition, the Ama-no-Iwato shrine in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture* is said to be the location of Iwayado, the cave where Amaterasu hid. (Images from: en.wikipedia.org ; geocities.jp)

 

 

*Miyazaki Prefecture is formerly known as Hyuga Province.

Tsukuyomi – god of the moon and ruler of the night

Sasuke's basic Sharingan is able to counter Tsukuyomi, another Mangekyou Sharingan technique that has the ability to cast illusion under the control of the user.

Hinata's represenation of yin (symbolizes night and moon).

 

 

Susanoo – god of the storms and ruler of the seas

 

 

- Susanoo wielded the Kusanagi, that of which he obtained by defeating Yamato no Orochi. Sasuke has his own as well, that of which he obtained by being an apprentice of Orochimaru;

- From the heavens, Susanoo descended to Izumo where he saved his future wife, Kushinada-hime, a rice paddy princess. Note that Otogakure no Sato (Hidden Village of Sound) is located in the Country of Rice Fields.

 

 

 

Susanoo's strong rivalry against Amaterasu ended in his banishment from the heavens. Upon his descent to Izumo (now part of Shimane Prefecture), he met a weeping couple. The old couple explained that they have eight daughters, seven of which have been devoured by Yamato no Orochi, and that the eighth princess, Kushinada-hime, is next.

 

After realizing the couple's relation to Amaterasu, Susanoo offered assistance and agreed to kill Orochi in exchange for Kushinada-hime's hand in marriage. With the aid of sake, Susanoo decapitated the many heads of Orochi. From one of his tails, Susanoo obtained a sword, later known as the Kusanagi . This sword was later offered to Amaterasu as gift of reconciliation.

(Image from: en.wikipedia.org)

 

The Hyuga family name means to the sun;
The first names of the known clan members – with a few the exceptions– are of or related to the sun.
Hinata, in particular, means a sunny place.

 

Based on the above speculations, Sasuke and Hinata may both be associated to the Shinto Trinity. The difference is that Sasuke's conjunction is distinct (through his bloodline limit and possible protrayal) whole Hinata's conjunction is subtle (through underlying mythology).

.::.

Sasuke as Susanoo  and Hinata as Kushinada-hime

      1          Susanoo is the god of storms and seas
2          He obtained the Kusanagi no tsurugi from Yamata no Orochi

Sasuke

            1     Sasuke may be associated to storms, through his ability to use lightning-based techniques; and the seas, through his most recent depiction as standing amidst crashing waves.

               2     He wields the Kusanagi he obtained from Orochimaru


Kushinada-hime
             3      Kushinada-hime is written as 櫛名田比売 (Kojiki) ; 奇稲田姫  (Nihonshiki)
                     Kojiki meaning: Comb (櫛) rice paddy/field (田) princess (比売)
                     Nihonshiki meaning: Strange/mysterious (奇) rice plant paddy/field (稲田) princess (姫)

                     Notably, Kushinada-hime is a rice paddy/field princess.

             4      She is the eighth daughter whose elder sisters have been devoured by the eight-forked serpent, Yamata no Orochi

 

                      Example: Chi (Thousand) + Tori (bird/s)  = Chidori.
                      Conversely: Kushinada = Kushina + ta.

                      In Nihonshiki, Kushinada-hime is written as 奇稲田姫, where 奇means strange or mysterious. Naruto on some occasions have described Hinata as strange (変) and dark (暗, dark or gloomy).

                       Other possible meanings for Hinata may include:

                       Hinata written as 鄙田 means countryside (鄙) rice paddy/field (田).
                       When asked about Hinata in an interview, Mr. Kishimoto said he intended to give her a 'provincial' look

                       Hinata written as 雛田 means rice paddy/field (田) bird (雛).
                       The Hyuga Clan is known to use the metaphor of birds (see also manga chapter 102)

 

              4       She is the daughter of the Main House of the Hyuga Clan, a noble family whose fighting style may likely be based on Baguazhang, literally, eight trigram palm. Hak (八) in Hakke (八卦) means eight.

                       Hinata, along with Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino under the tutelage of Yuuhi Kurenai compose genin Team Eight.
                       In the longest novel in classic Japanese literature, Nansou Satomi Hakkenden by Kyokutei Bakin, one of the eight dog warrior heroes is named Inuzuka Shino Moritaka (see name similarity with Hinata's teammates).
           

 

Disclaimer

Naruto is a property of Kishimoto Masashi.
Manga published by Shueisha. Anime produced by Studio Pierrot.

Important Note: This theory is based on the Chinese Guardians of the Four Directions. Each special creature represents a compass direction, color, season, an element and virtue among others.
*Some elements herein are  slightly different  from the Five Elements of Japanese Mythology  and should not be confused with it. Nevertheless, an attempt to associate Sasuke and Hinata  will be done without considering  the Chinese classical elements different from the Japanese classical elements to avoid confusion.

 

Byakko, the White Tiger
   - guardian of the West
   - represents the season autumn/fall
   - element of metal*
   - virtue of righteousness

 Genbu, the Black Tortoise
   - guardian of the North
   - represents the season winter
   - element of water
   - long life and happiness

Seiryuu, the Blue Dragon
   - guardian of the East
   - represents the season spring
   - element of wood*
   - virtue of appropriateness and conformity to tradition

Suzaku, the Red Bird
   - guardian of the South
   - represents the season summer
   - element of fire
   - knowledge

There will be two parts of this theory:

Part One: The White Tiger and the Blue Dragon
Part Two: The Black Tortoise and the Red Bird

            
The White Tiger and the Black Tortoise represent characteristics of yin; while the Blue Dragon and the Red Bird represent characteristics of yang.

.::.

Part One: The White Tiger and the Blue Dragon
 

The White Tiger and the Blue Dragon are the ancient symbols of yin and yang, respectively.

The White Tiger is believed to be the Lord of the Mountains and is King of all Animals. It crouches in the dark, keen and its true powers well hidden.



Tiger eyesight is one of the most accurate in its league. Generally, the eyes have two light-sensitive cells - the cones (enables one to see colour) and rods (enables vision in light or dark conditions). Having more rods than cones, tigers therefore have good vision even with little light; they also have the ability to bulge their eyes, allowing them to gain better view of their surroundings. For this very same reason, however, tigers can see very little colour. Few of which include glowing colours of blue, green, yellow and various hues of gray only.

 

(Image from: ise-miyachu.co.jp)

 

The Hyuga Byakugan share similar characteristics. Note that when this kekkei genkai is activated, the iris bulges, allowing the user to see far distances and depths as well as increase the ability of insight.

 

 

The normal vision then shifts to hues of gray except for glowing colours of chakra (usually blue; Neji saw the red chakra of the Kyuubi during his fight against Naruto).

 

 

The White Tiger is also portrayed (not at all times) to have flames on certain parts of its body, usually the shoulders.

 Whether the Hyuga is indeed symbolized by the flame (the same symbol is very common throughout the Country of Fire) or otherwise, it is noticeable that only Hinata seems to wear it – on  her kimono and on the sleeves of her former jacket.

 

? White Tiger and Kirin ?

 

The White Tiger replaced the Japanese Kirin in the original representation of the Celestial Emblems because of the astronomic significance of the White Tiger. Although the Kirin shares some characteristics as that of the White Tiger, it's appearance is closer to that of the unicorn.

(Image from: crystalinks.com)

 

The portrayal of Sasuke as a Dragon may be epitomized by his elemental affinity with lightning, a natural weather phenomena commonly accompanying storms.

 

 

 

It has also been shown that Uchiha training with katon jutsus were performed near a body of water; however, they do not seem to have elemental affinity with the latter.

    

 

 

The Ryukyu Islands in Okinawa is said to have been named after Ryugu, the Dragon Palace believed to be submerged in the seas of the archipelago. In Ryukyuan history, the mitsu-domoe is a symbol of Ryukyuan flags and it still stands as one of the symbols of the City of Okinawa. 

Similarly,  the mature Sharingan is characterized by the three tomoe .

(Image from: en.wikipedia.org)

 

 .::.

Part Two: The Black Tortoise and the Red Bird

 
The Hyuga are close combat fighters. When an opponent happens to be within the range of their divination, Hyuga attacks are most likely successful. The Hyuga divination field appear to be the bagua (eight trigrams) with the taijitu symbol at the center.

 

The flag of South Korea is quite similar, only having four trigrams instead of eight.

 Literally, the divination field looks like the carapace of a tortoise; but in ancient China, the first bagua inscriptions were said to have been found on the back of a tortoise. Tortoise shells were then used for divination or foretelling the future - also called tortoise shell divination.

 This is similar to the ability of the Byakugan to predict an opponent's next move. Indirectly, Neji makes predictions of situational outcomes as well.

 

The Black Tortoise has elemental affinity with water. It is said to live underwaters but rises about every few hundred years to see the sun.

(Image from: ise-miyachu.co.jp)

In the Naruto manga chapter 297, the Hinata cover says:

"She sets out for the sun, its golden light her beacon."

The Black Tortoise is also known as the Black Warrior of the North. More often, some say that the Guardian of the North is actually a Tortoise and an intertwined Serpent; few say a Crane standing on a Tortoise.

? The Tortoise and the Serpent ?

Ancient China believed that there were no male tortoises. Thus female tortoises were left to pair with the Serpent.

The hand seals for activating the Byakugan shows that although long hand seal methods are different for Hinata and Neji, both end in the serpent seal; it's short method is simply the right index serpent seal.

 

Simply picture Hinata and her (tortoise shell) divination, simultaneously performing the (right index) serpent seal to activate her byakugan.

? The Tortoise and the Crane ?

A Japanese proverb says that the tortoise and the crane are symbols of long life. It is common in Buddhist art to see a crane standing on a tortoise, usually as decoration in temples.

When a Hyuga is standing, somewhat on top the (tortoise shell) divination, see how Hinata can represent a crane; Neji a caged crane.

 

 

  The cursed seal transformation of Sasuke resembles a human but with avian characteristics.

 

Even the name of the lightning technique used by Sasuke is associated to birds, Chidori literally means thousand birds.

The Uchiha secret meeting room also has drawings of what seemed to be a winged figure. In the anime, the wings appeared to be red.

? Ho-o ?

The Red Bird is sometimes confused with Ho-o, the Phoenix, although they are two different entities. A very common portrayal of the Ho-o is that with outstretched wings, a snake in its talons. In chapter 344 of the manga, Sasuke told Orochimaru:

"You'll have your chance to fly, Snake... in the talons of a hawk."

 

 

The Red Bird is also represented by Itachi's Akatsuki ring, scarlet. Perhaps this symbol is just another common ground that the siblings share.

Important Note: This theory is based on the Five Elements of Japanese Mythology.
It is different from the Five Elements of Chinese Mythology and should not be confused with it.

 

The Five Elements based on Japanese mythology:

 ... fire > wind > sky/heaven > earth > water > fire ... (cycle)

The Five Elements of Naruto:

In Naruto, sky/heaven is seemingly specified as lightning.

 ... fire > wind > lightning > earth > water > fire ... (cycle)

 

The elements fire and sky/heaven  are associated with yang.
 

 

 

 

Note that the element of sky/heaven in Japanese myth is synonymous to the element of lightning  used in Naruto.

The elements water and wind  are associated with yin.

The Hyuga are yet to show any elemental affinity, if at all. Note, however, that the Hyuga divination field is similar to the bagua, the ultimate device in Chinese geomancy (feng shui, literally wind water). Wind and water are believed to direct qi (energy) - wind carries energy, representing the principle of change and transformation; water withholds energy, representing stability and inner strength.

The principle of change of the wind may be portrayed by Neji; the principle of inner strength of water may be portrayed by Hinata.

One filler arc pointed out that Hinata uses water to sharpen her absolute defense but it is still considered unofficial.

 

 

The element left out is earth, which may be viewed either as:
1. the balance of yin and yang; or
2. a metaphor of yin matched by sky/heaven, a metaphor of yang.

 

During the chuunin exams at the Forest of Death, both Teams 7 and 8 were given the scroll of heaven. However, note the last scrolls each team obtained. Team 7 lost their initial scroll of heaven to Orochimaru; after which they obtained a scroll of earth from the Sound nins and looked for another scroll of heaven to complete the exam. On the other hand, Team 8 just needed a scroll of earth to finish.

Orochimaru gave Sasuke the Cursed Seal of Heaven. Kimimaro has the Cursed Seal of Earth.

 

.::.

The Five Elements based on Chinese mythology:

... fire > metal > wood > earth > water > fire ... (cycle)

The polarity (i.e. yin/yang) of the Chinese classical elements are a given. However, note again the difference between the Chinese and Japanese philosophies of the Five Elements.

The Five Elements based on Japanese mythology:

... fire > wind > sky/heaven > earth > water > fire ... (cycle)
 

First theoretical assumption:
1. Metal = Sky/Heaven ; Wind = Wood

The relationship may be found by taking a closer look at the Bagua, where each trigram has a corresponding classical element based on I Ching.

The Bagua (King Wen "Later Heaven" Order, as seen in the Hyuga divination field)

Among the last two correlations, it may be observed that:
- the trigram of Sky/Heaven is correlated to the element of Metal
- the trigram of Wind is correlated to the element of Wood

Important Note: The polarity of a trigram is entirely different from the polarity of the element.
Trigram polarity is determined by looking at the 'host' line while elemental polarity is determined by using phase movement.
 
Since there are no Metal and Wood elements in Japanese philosophy, the polarity of the corresponding trigram (if any) is considered.

Second theoretical assumption:
2. Wind yin.

While Wind may be correlated to the element Wood (yang), the trigram polarity is specifically yin.

Third theoretical assumption:
3. Sky/Heaven is yang.
 
While Sky/Heaven may be correlated to the element Metal (yin), the trigram polarity is specifically yang.

Fourth theoretical assumption:
4. Japanese element Sky/Heaven = Naruto element Lightning (in the Bagua, synonymous to Thunder)

Regardless if such equation stands true or not, when trigram polarity is considered, both Sky/Heaven and Lightning are yang.

 

Disclaimer

Naruto is a property of Kishimoto Masashi.
Manga published by Shueisha. Anime produced by Studio Pierrot.

 

Yin Yang is a dual concept of Taoist belief, one that tells of how two opposing but interdependent forces exist in all things in the world, living or non-living.

In Naruto, the yin yang symbol, taijitu, may be seen on the divination field of the Hyuga Clan. This field is consisted of the bagua (eight trigrams) surrounding the yin yang symbol. The Clan's fighting style may be based on baguazhang (eight trigram palm), one of the three Chinese 'internal' martial arts. The 64 strikes of jyuuken may have been based on the 64 hexagram-combination when both hands do palm changes. Contrary to the damage that may be caused by jyuuken, the baguazhang is considered a healing art and a good exercise of the joints, muscles and internal organs.

Yin is symbolized by the following, among others:
Female, deficient, passive, dark – characteristics fitting Hinata
Season: Winter
Primary Element: Water
Numbers: Even

 

Naruto is a property of Kishimoto Masashi.
Manga published by Shueisha. Anime produced by Studio Pierrot.