Speculation time!
A challenge by
Rukia-chan, who provided me an image to play about - Chapter 116 Manga Cover:

Sources, top to bottom: sensationalteas.com ; hougetudou.com ; encarta.msn.com.
Naruto and the tetsubin – the
tetsubin is an iron-cast tea pot. The tea pot that Naruto carries on his back may refer to Gaara, whose Shukaku is actually a tanuki (raccoon-dog). In the tale Bunbuku chagama, the tanuki transforms into a kettle.
This manga chapter included the fight of the Leaf vs Sand and Sound (main chuunin exams). This arc is where Gaara is first seen to transform into the Shukaku.
Sakura and sanshoku dango –
Sanshoku dango, also known as
hanami dango, are three-colored dumplings usually consumed by people during
Hanami, the Japanese flower-viewing custom from March to May.
The 'flowers' in
Hanami usually refer to
sakura (cherry blossoms) but may also include
ume (plum) blossoms. Note that
umeboshi (pickled plums) is another favorite of Sakura.
The proverb
hana yori dango (dumplings before flowers) implies practicality but is sometimes used to tease those who attend
Hanami for a taste of the dumplings instead of cherry blossom-viewing.
Sasuke and the shamisen – the
shamisen is a Japanese musical instrument with three strings and a drum-like rectangular body.
In the tragic-romance story of
Shunkinsho (Portrait of Shunkin, 1933) by Tanizaki Junichiro, Sasuke is a pharmacist’s assistant who falls in love with his master’s daughter, Shunkin. Shunkin was blind since the age of nine but a good player of the
shamisen, nonetheless. Upon knowing this, Sasuke buys a
shamisen and masters playing it for Shunkin.
Shunkin was an aristocrat and was supposed to marry another but declines. The suitor mutilates her face and because of this, Sasuke blinds himself so he can only remember her face of beauty.
Shunkin and Hinata:
Shunkin is blind.
The irony of the byakugan is that although its insight greatly surpasses normal vision, its appearance closely resembles the eyes of the blind (no offense meant).
Disclaimer
Naruto is a property of Kishimoto Masashi.
Manga published by Shueisha. Anime produced by Studio Pierrot.