Geography

The Naruto series is set on a fictional terrestrial blue planet called Earth. Most of the series takes place on a large continent that is divided into a number of different countries; additional continents are occasionally depicted in supplementary media. This region and the society that prevails within it is often referred to as the Ninja World (忍界, Ninkai) or Shinobi World (忍の世界, Shinobi no Sekai).

History

From countless millennia worth of war amongst Earth's population, the bloodshed lead to the planet's God Tree absorbing it to subsequently grow a Chakra Fruit, which was forbidden for humans to touch. The God Tree was revered by some cultures; humans used to worship it as a sacred pillar that extended into the heavens and remained ambivalent to all conflict.^[1] The Ōtsutsuki clan considered Earth as the region Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was in charge of.^[2] Arriving to the planet with a portion of the clan in search for fruit of the God Tree, she ate it, resulting in her manifesting chakra which she used to bring an end to the constant wars. Afterwards, she had twin sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, whom were the first humans born with chakra.

Becoming corrupted by chakra, Kaguya began turning the planet's Infinite Tsukuyomi victims into an army of White Zetsu, and integrated with the God Tree to become the Ten-Tails in order to reclaim the chakra her sons inherited. Causing havoc to the planet, the beast was sealed away by the twins. Believing chakra was a power that linked everything in the world, Hagoromo set out to spread the message to the people of the land, during which his teachings became known as ninshū.^[3] This act eventually lead to the planet's population acquiring chakra, which they became dependent on possessing to sustain living. Hagoromo's eldest son Indra, weaponized chakra, which lead to the creation of ninjutsu and as a result the Shinobi World as it came to be known.

During the Warring States Period, the countries of the world were uniformly small, and constantly hired shinobi clans to fight their battles for land. The constant warfare lead to the average lifespan of the mercenaries to thirty years. Hashirama Senju offered the Uchiha clan a peace treaty, which Madara accepted. The Uchiha and Senju clan allied with the Land of Fire to establish a shinobi village. Other clans would soon join the village, and it would later become known as Konohagakure. Clans in other countries that were fearful of the combined might of the Senju and Uchiha, adopted the ideology and created their own villages. This system lead to the creation of many shinobi villages, with the Five Great Shinobi Countries standing out as the strongest.

Tension between nations lead to the First Shinobi World War, which involved the majority of nations. It ended with an armistice treaty, after all of the Five Great Nations had been seriously damaged.^[4] Over a decade later, the Second Shinobi World War erupted, which some viewed as Konoha starting. When the Third Shinobi World War broke out, it involved shinobi from every land, and ended with an armistice agreement between Konoha and Iwagakure.^[5]

Countries

Countries operate as separate political entities and are presumably all monarchies, ruled by daimyō who stand as a ruler for the entire country. Hidden Village heads are the generals that take care of shinobi matters. 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.

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).

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.

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]

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.^[7]

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.

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.^[8]

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).^[9][10] 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.

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.^[11] 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.

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, Calm Seas, Claws, Demons, Fangs, Flowers, Forests, Frost, Haze, Honey, Hot Water, Keys, Medicines, Mountain Streams, Mountains, Neck, Noodles, Redaku, Rivers, Sand, Silence, Stairs, Stone, Swamps, Tea, That, This, Valleys, Vegetables, Waves, Whirlpools, Woods, Moon, Sea, Rōran

Hidden Villages

Hidden Villages are parts of countries in which the country's ninja reside. Their heads 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.^[12] The city hosts the only black market in the region.^[13] 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 seven 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)^[14] and the "Land of Toads" (蝦蟇の国, Gama no Kuni),^[15] 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.^[16] 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^[17] 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.^[18]

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.^[19] 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.^[20]

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.^[21][22] It is the home of the slug Katsuyu,^[23] 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 over 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.^[24]

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).^[25]

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.

References