NOCTURNAL TRAVEL

[july_winter]

Scribble: The author reserves the right to modify this theory accordingly, depending on the recent events in Naruto manga and/or for theoretical development. Please be guided that this is only a theory and not a fact.


This theory will attempt to relate Sasuke and Hinata to the Imperial Regalia of Japan.

The Imperial Regalia of Japan are the three sacred treasures that Amaterasu gave Ninigi-no-mikoto upon his descent from heaven to pacify Japan. The three treasures are composed of the following: Kusanagi no Tsurugi (grass-cutting sword), Yata no Kagami (octagonal mirror), and Yasakani no Magatama (jewels); each represent a virtue based on Buddhist thought.


Kusanagi no Tsurugi

Kusanagi no Tsurugi is the sword obtained by the storm god Susanoo after he slain the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi. This sword was later offered to Amaterasu as gift of reconciliation.



Sasuke carries his own Kusanagi after training under Orochimaru.

Kept in Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya and representing the virtue of valor, Sasuke may now have the courage to face his infamous brother and his past.


Yata no Kagami

In Naruto manga chapter 297, the Hinata cover says:

[july_winter]

Scribble: The author reserves the right to modify this theory accordingly, depending on the recent events in Naruto manga and/or for theoretical development. Please be guided that this is only a theory and not a fact.


In Naruto manga chapter 354, Sasuke encountered two nin-cats living in the Uchiha weapons storehouse.

[july_winter]

Scribble: The author reserves the right to modify this theory accordingly, depending on the recent events in Naruto manga and/or for theoretical development. Please be guided that this is only a theory and not a fact.


The Phoenix and the Dragon are also symbols of the Imperial Family.

The Phoenix is particularly associated with the Empress.

Phoenix?


Possibly depicted on a rooftop where Team Konoha met before they separately searched for Sasuke in a renewed attempt to retrieve him. Hinata was one of them.

On the other hand, the Dragon is associated with the Emperor.



A recent chapter showed Sasuke performing a katon jutsu distinctly taking the form of the Dragon.



Disclaimers

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

Last edited on: 16 March 2008. Reason: Update.

[july_winter]

Scribble: The author reserves the right to modify this theory accordingly, depending on the recent events in Naruto manga and/or for theoretical development. Please be guided that this is only a theory and not a fact.


In Japanese culture, the color purple (murasaki) is the color of the Imperial Family. Production of murasaki was expensive, possibly due to scarcity of resource, such that only those of nobility status can afford them.

Naruto II showed that Hinata’s jacket has changed to purple (with light grey) worn with blue capris.



Said change color-complemented the outfit of Sasuke well.



Sasuke's Team Hebi also wear outfits with hues of purple and blue.

Incidentally, the Japanese term shiden (literally, purple electricity) may also pertain to flashes of lightning, a resemblance to Sasuke’s jutsus Chidori and Chidori nagashi.



Disclaimers

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

Last edited on: 16 March 2008. Reason: Scribble.

[july_winter]

Scribble: The author reserves the right to modify this theory accordingly, depending on the recent events in Naruto manga and/or for theoretical development. Please be guided that this is only a theory and not a fact.


For lilmissf-ingsunshine of NarutoForums.com, who suggested a closer look at a Meiji Doll Altar.


Source: Kyoto National Museum, www.kyohaku.go.jp

Above is an example of a seven-tiered display of hina-ningyo during Hinamatsuri. A set of hina-ningyo includes an Emperor, an Empress, court members and a diverse array of furniture, cooking tools and carriages.

From the image given, note that the fourth tier included dadaiko.


Source: National Museum of Ethnology, www.minpaku.ac.jp

Dadaiko is a pair of drums used in gagaku (traditional court music). The drums are hung in a frame and are intricately decorated. Each drum is associated either to the left (saho dadaiko) or right (uho dadaiko).

The saho dadaiko is red, bears the mitsu-domoe (three tomoe) emblem with images of the dragon on both sides. This drum is surmounted with a sun design;
the uho dadaiko is green, bears the futatsu-domoe (two tomoe) emblem with images of the phoenix on both sides. This drum is surmounted with a moon design.

While few literature seem to interchange assignments of the position (left/right) and heavenly body (sun/moon), the following are nevertheless consistent*:

1. Red dadaiko : mitsu-domoe : Dragon
2. Green dadaiko : futatsu-domoe : Phoenix

*So far, with the exception of the first image posted above (which used reversed colors - red with futatsu-domoe/green with mitsu-domoe).


Emperor: Sasuke?

The highest level of the Uchiha Sharingan is red with the mitsu-domoe.



This theory proposes that Sasuke may portray an Emperor, which is symbolized by the Dragon.


Empress: Hinata?

The Hyuga Divination field glows green (anime only as of yet) with the taijitu symbol. The taijitu symbol is, by appearance, very similar to the futatsu-domoe.




This theory also proposes that Hinata may portray an Empress, which is symbolized by the Phoenix.


Disclaimer

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

Last edited on: 16 March 2008. Reason: Scribble.

[Danko Kaji]

[july_winter]

FreakInside: Although, I already am well aware of the points you said (which have been depicted on the cover of manga chapter 341), I'd still like to extend gratitude for the feedback!

This theory is named Imperial Regalia because of the following: kusanagi, yata no kagami and yasakani no magatama - all of which have been discussed above. These three are the sacred treasures of the Japanese Imperial Family; upon which discourse brought me down to the main members of the said family: the Emperor and the Empress.

[HinaMatsuri]

[july_winter]

[july_winter]

Warning: Chapters 392 and 393 spoilers!

Itachi's jutsu Susanoo was seen to have carried the Imperial Regalia in the following forms:

Sakegari - a fictional katana said to be the ultimate counter to the Kusanagi. Sakegari was used to pierce and seal Orochimaru making it analogous in symbolism as the Kusanagi.


Yata no Kagami - used as a supernatural shield.


Magatama - worn by Susanoo as earring/s.



Itachi's Imperial Regalia is briefly compared to the Sasuke-and-Hinata version in Supplemental Theory 04 - Of Whole and Halves: http://nocturnaltravel.12.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?p=1124&highlight=#1124

Disclaimer

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

[july_winter]

Kuchiyose: San Juu Rashoumon


This theory postulates that Sasuke may portray an Emperor.

Another possible hint, although indirect to Sasuke, may be depicted by Orochimaru’s Kuchiyose: San Juu Rashoumon.



Rashoumon (literally, castle gate) was the gate built in the ancient cities of Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto) and Heijo-kyo (present-day Nara), and both served as main entrance to the Imperial Palace grounds.

Rashoumon is also known as Demon Gate. This may be due to its (then) poor reputation as refuge of thieves and a place where corpses were abandoned.

In mythology, Rashoumon is where the demon Ibaraki resided. Minamoto Raiko (also Minamoto Yorimitsu), a legendary warrior believed to be a demon slayer at the same time, asked his retainer Watanabe no Tsuna, to hang a talisman over the gate to ward off the rumored demon. Upon his arrival at the gate, however, Watanabe noticed Ibaraki and both got caught in a battle where the demon lost an arm.

A statue of Bishamonten is said to have been originally placed in the Rashoumon of Heian-kyo. Bishamonten is the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno) and is guardian of the North (this is a separate tradition and does not correspond to Chinese mythology). He is usually depicted holding a spear in one hand and a small pagoda in the other, and is also known to expel demons.

Hence, it may seem that a collective myth behind the gate is protection against demons. The gate being adorned with a demon’s face (in Naruto) may serve the purpose similar to the Japanese gargoyle (onigawara) which, although demonic in appearance, is used as talisman against evil*.

Ironically used by villains (so far), note that Orochimaru summoned the three gates to protect himself from Naruto who was in the four-tailed-demon form; Sakon/Ukon also used the same summon against Kiba/Akamaru who were in their beast form.


* The Seventh Theory - Demon Queller postulates that Sasuke may also portray a demon/evil fighter (http://nocturnaltravel.12.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=157)


NOTES

Bishamonten is also associated to Hachiman as both are considered protectors of warriors. As mentioned in a previous supplemental theory, the Hachiman crest is the mitsu-domoe, which in turn also appears in the Sharingan.


(Source, left: ballaratkarateclub.com.au)


Disclaimers

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

[july_winter]

Warning: Chapter 409 Spoilers!

With reference to

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Confusion and Clarification


Uchiha katon jutsu made references to the Dragon (symbol of the Emperor) and the Phoenix (symbol of the Empress), which may mean that, by themselves, the Uchiha already may represent an Imperial Family.

Ryuuka no jutsu (龍火の術) means Dragon Fire Technique;
Housenka no jutsu (鳳仙火の術) means Phoenix Immortal Fire Technique. However, the “phoenix,” written as 鳳, specifically refers to the male phoenix.

The Chinese feng huang/Japanese hou-ou (鳳凰) - the Phoenix that which symbolizes the Empress - was initially a combination of the male (鳳) and female phoenix (凰) and was later on merged as one. It is also a symbol of the union of yin and yang.

From this perspective, Uchiha references to symbols of Imperial power seemingly lacks the female match.

Uchiwa and a Pun

Uchiha is written as うちは, where は is “ha”.
The Uchiha clan crest, uchiwa - as a word - is actually written as うちわ, where わ is “wa”.

However, under a certain rule, Uchiha (うちは) may be read as Uchiwa. In Japanese, “wa” is written as:
1. わ- “wa”, if it is used as part of a word. Example: kawaii かわいい cute
2. は - “ha”, if it is used as a particle. Example: kono hon wa ~ この本は ~ This book is ~

Based on (2), Uchiha may be read as Uchiwa if “wa” is used as a particle. Example: uchiha sasuke uchi wa sasuke うちはサスケ

Let:
uchi, うち 中 or 内 obsolete terms for “Emperor”
Hence:
uchiha sasuke uchi wa sasuke うちはサスケ 中はサスケ or 内はサスケ Emperor is Sasuke (may apply to Uchiha members in general)

Again, Uchiha representation may be inclined to epitomize the Emperor or the male counterpart of the Imperial Family.


Other Notes

The Third Theory – Four Celestial Emblems (http://nocturnaltravel.12.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=135) also attempts to associate the Uchiha to the Dragon; Uchiha Madara as Ryujin, the Dragon God/King of the Sea.



Disclaimers

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