Sunshine History (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sunshinehistory) wrote2014-05-18 09:03 pm
sunshinehistory) wrote2014-05-18 09:03 pm
Entry tags:
On Jutsu
A guide to various jutsu categories, as they apply to the universe.
Ninjutsu- Ninja Techniques
A broad term applied to most any technique that utilizes shape and/or nature (elemental) manipulation. Primarily executed through the use of handseals, a shinobi moulds chakra by combining different amounts of physical and spiritual energy to release into a myriad of different combinations that can be anything from offensive, defensive, or supplementary techniques.
Shape transformation lies heavily in chakra control, in shaping a technique into a desired form for its execution- such as creating a fireball or changing the size or density of an earthen structure. As well, there are some rarer techniques that utilize only Shape transformation, with no added element to them at all. However, most techniques combine these two transformations to some degree.
In utilizing Nature manipulation, it's always easiest to drawn on natural elements to use as a medium for a given technique; however, it is also entirely possible to knead chakra into a given element if it is absent- such as creating water in the desert. In this case, the amount of chakra required for the technique increases dependent on the scale of the technique used.
The primary elements used for nature manipulation in ninjutsu are: Lightning, Earth, Water, Fire and Wind. Each element is strong against one nature, and weak against another. Wind is strong against Lightning, where Lightning is strong against Earth. While Earth is strong against Water, and Water is strong against Fire. Fire is strong against Wind, thus completing the circle.
The qualities each of these elements embody, and thus the uses they can be put to, are distinct. Of course, these are not all the ways in which these elements can be used, merely the most common.
Wind is the least visible element to use in combat, being entirely invisible to the naked eye if used correctly, and the primary use of this element is to use the air currents to cut, and can be used to nonlethal effect for throwing an opponent.
Lightning is the most vicious of the elements. It can be used to feed into electrical things as one of the only ways chakra and electricity can work without one of them failing, and to buffer tech against chakra burnout, however, it's also highly destructive. This element is the one most likely to kill its user through sheer carelessness, as one poor move could give the one using it a heart attack.
Earth is often treated as a defensive element. Excellent for creating barriers and walls, or even ducking underground in a fight, the element lends itself to a stable platform of defense and attack. Due to this, attacks with Earth are sometimes rather obvious as it's hard to miss a flying rock to the face.
Water is one of the more versatile elements. It can be used to attack or defend easily, being flexible, and it's a simple matter for a master to be able to keep an opponent pinned to drown them. Water is pulled from the air in wetter climates, thus easing the chakra burden on the user, unlike Fire or Lightning, but is not as easy to obtain as Wind or Earth. It is the middle ground of accessibility, and your access to water would steeply change your chakra reserves in relation to its use.
Fire is obviously used for burning things, primarily. This element is one of the riskier ones, as a person can do themselves considerable harm before mastering the element, and it's not unheard of for users of this element to be incredibly stubborn.
However, the above five are not the only elements to exist. When two or more elements are combined to create a new element, this is often known as a Bloodline Limit (Kekkei Genkai). They are very rare and unique to a select few shinobi, as well as impossible to learn without the unique genetic makeup that makes these techniques possible.
There are also non-elemental ninjutsu types that take full advantage of Yin or Yang release. Yin release typically relates to one's spiritual energy, whereas Yang release relates to physical energy. It is necessary to combine these to execute any given technique, and this is the essential process known as moulding chakra. However, there are some branches of ninjutsu such as medical ninjutsu and unique Bloodlines that utilize these releases in more advanced applications.
Medical ninjutsu relies primarily on Yang energy, entering the physical body to speed cell recovery and promote skin and tissue growth to heal wounds.
Spiritual energy (Yin) is primarily used as a base in Genjutsu- a different branch of techniques altogether.
As an added note, things like animal summoning, forbidden jutsu, and senjutsu fall into this category as well.
Genjutsu- Illusory Techniques
The use of illusions is a delicate art of techniques that utilizes both spiritual (Yin) energy and the clever mind to manipulate chakra in a shinobi's brain in order to effectively control the senses. This can instill anything from a sense of colorblindness to paralysis, sleep, pain and/or mental trauma.
Although lacking in a way to inflict lasting physical damage, even the simplest of genjutsu can be highly effective when used strategically. They're most often used primarily to immobilize or disable so that while the victim is caught and subjected to the effects of a genjutsu, the wielder of a successful technique is free to act in the manner they see fit- whether to physically restrain, harm, or otherwise act without additional distraction.
The primary test for anyone caught in in an illusion is to understand they're in an illusion to begin with and the more senses that are affected by a user's genjutsu, the more difficult this can be. Even then, breaking out of a genjutsu can be a trial, as great focus and control are needed to stop one's flow of chakra in order to dissipate the effect, particularly if the illusion binds them and renders the hand sign for release appear impossible to achieve.
Any strong reminder of reality such as pain or other severe sensory discomfort can effectively snap a shinobi out of a genjutsu. But genjutsu is easiest to break out of when another unaffected shinobi forcibly disrupts the victim's flow of chakra.
It's worth noting that those with unique sensory abilities are typically harder to pull under the spell of genjutsu that in any way affect those particular senses. As these senses are unique from a regular shinobi's, they may be more difficult to fool without knowledge of how they differ from the norm.
There also exist some genjutsu employed by those gifted with unique bloodlines- most notably the Sharingan- that utilize highly advanced techniques capable of terrifying visions and manipulating a shinobi's will.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all genjutsu are delicate, nor do all immobilize the target. Those that immobilize are under the category of Personal genjutsu and only go on inside the mind of their target, often causing them to be unaware of their surroundings. They are the most common branch, and overlap most strongly into the other two branches that genjutsu encompasses.
Those genjutsu that blanket an area, or affect people on an outside level are from the Area genjutsu branch. Changing one's appearance, putting people to sleep on a grand scale, traps which lead a target in circles by changing the look of an area, or even just changing a number on a wall all fall into this category. They are not aimed at an individual, but more are an 'aura' effect that allows the caster to proceed without having to focus on a specific target.
The last of the three genjutsu types is the blunt instrument of Genjutsu, which is known as Primal genjutsu. This is the emotional component of genjutsu. While most genjutsu primarily focus on the five senses, this one works on a purely emotional level through projection of intent. It's a different class of jutsu, as the threatening aura that creates killer intent is in this category, as are things such as soothing the frightened, and making someone trust you through sheer force of will. Many who use this skill do it without being aware of what it is, but there are a rare few who not only can use it consciously, but can control it enough to be truly frightening. It should be especially noted that this branch uses the least chakra of all of them, though a higher capacity tends to intensify the effect.
Taijutsu- Body Techniques
Taijutsu is unique in that it doesn't require hand seals or typically much chakra at all. It's a purely physical fighting style that relies heavily on a body's physical speed and strength to combat opponents. Given that it doesn't utilize chakra and attacks tend to be quicker than when one has to take time in moulding chakra for ninjutsu or genjutsu, taijutsu is generally the primary form of initial engagement in combat.
As a result, all shinobi use taijutsu to some degree, but there exist some specialists whose fighting style relies almost entirely on these forms. Such specialists tend to have high physical endurance, speed, strength, and flexibility. With these traits, they're generally able to overpower their opponents, but without a follow-up specialization in ninjutsu or genjutsu, often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to engaging with quick, long-range opponents.
Kenjutsu is effectively a subset of taijutsu, utilizing the same strengths and focus, but instead of using purely hand-to-hand combat, these types wield weapons- usually swords or other bladed weapons- in combat to great effect.
It is possible to combine taijutsu or kenjutsu with complimenting, supplementary ninjutsu to create unique forms of nintaijutsu.
Other names that weapon based jutsu can be heard of under are Shurikenjutsu which is a reference to skill with throwing weapons, often kunai and shuriken, as the name implies, and Tessenjutsu which is the art of using fans for combat.
Kugutsu- Puppet Art
A unique marriage between ninjutsu and kenjutsu, this fighting style sets itself apart from the usual methods of combat. Puppet users generally also dabble in fuinjutsu to seal their puppets into scrolls for easy transport before summonning them in combat.
Once summoned, puppeteers attach chakra strings to their puppets and manipulate them through the use of their fingers. The number and location of threads often directly relates to the amount of control a shinobi has over a puppet.
Traditionally non-living constructs, puppets cannot function without the control of a shinobi behind them. They do, however, possess very complex compartments that can hide hidden weapons- often tipped with poison -to surprise their opponents and catch them off guard. Employed as a shinobi's defense, these puppets are usually the force an opponents has to contend with before they can even think about getting close to their wielder.
And if one puppet isn't often difficult enough to combat, it's when multiple puppets are used in concert that a single shinobi is effectively outnumbered, and some shinobi use combinations or unique sets of puppets to take full advantage of difference functions to create a deadly display that can swiftly spell disaster for any unsuspecting opponent. This skill makes a single puppeteer fully capable of taking on multiple opponents.
Since they aren't living beings however, puppets are inherently fragile, and their joints make up their weak points. The best defense against them is to either stop them, dismantle them, or somehow manage to engage the puppeteer directly, as they're generally vulnerable to attack if their puppets are taken out of the picture.
A puppeteer's skill is often gauged by how many puppets he can effectively control and coordinate at once.
As a side note, Suna is most well-known for their kugutsu users. Shinobi wielding puppets from other countries isn't unheard of, but are somewhat rare.
Fuinjutsu- Sealing Techniques
Sealing techniques aren't often used in combat, but still hold a wide range of applicability both on and off the field. Fuinjutsu are crafted through the manipulation of chakra to make up seals, which vary in complexity, by those with extensive knowledge in their usage. Seals can be created with blood, venom, ink, or in the case of the very skilled, chakra alone, and spread over a sealed object with distinctive markings in patterns unique to the seal created.
Fuinjutsu are generally known for their ability to bind or seal something inside of another object or person, and the most common object used for this is scrolls.
Scrolls bound with fuinjutsu can be released to yield weapons, chakra, or even specific jutsu. As such, this art is commonly used to set traps, to trigger effects in response to chakra or movement and catch an opponent unaware. Wary shinobi can sometimes detect these traps however, and with enough knowledge in fuinjutsu, either release or counter a seal with another.
Seals can also be used to bind or contain chakra within shinobi to prevent them from utilizing ninjutsu of genjutsu, or even specific areas such as operating rooms within a hospital where control must be absolute and no interference can be allowed.
As seen in explosive notes, some seals are transferred onto paper slips that contain a specific effect and can be activated or applied to a person or object by even someone with no ability in the art itself. These are often limited in effect however, and only offer a single use.
At its highest caliber, fuinjutsu can even be used to seal living entities.
Juinjutsu
- Almost always applied onto living objects, these types of seals are often used to control the object in question. They can inflict both mental and physical torment, or even grant the subject uniquely enhanced abilities.
As well, some juinjutsu sealed into a living object may activate on its own in a premeditated response to certain triggers. The intricacies of these techniques are often kept secret, and stray into forbidden territory.
Ninjutsu- Ninja Techniques
A broad term applied to most any technique that utilizes shape and/or nature (elemental) manipulation. Primarily executed through the use of handseals, a shinobi moulds chakra by combining different amounts of physical and spiritual energy to release into a myriad of different combinations that can be anything from offensive, defensive, or supplementary techniques.
Shape transformation lies heavily in chakra control, in shaping a technique into a desired form for its execution- such as creating a fireball or changing the size or density of an earthen structure. As well, there are some rarer techniques that utilize only Shape transformation, with no added element to them at all. However, most techniques combine these two transformations to some degree.
In utilizing Nature manipulation, it's always easiest to drawn on natural elements to use as a medium for a given technique; however, it is also entirely possible to knead chakra into a given element if it is absent- such as creating water in the desert. In this case, the amount of chakra required for the technique increases dependent on the scale of the technique used.
The primary elements used for nature manipulation in ninjutsu are: Lightning, Earth, Water, Fire and Wind. Each element is strong against one nature, and weak against another. Wind is strong against Lightning, where Lightning is strong against Earth. While Earth is strong against Water, and Water is strong against Fire. Fire is strong against Wind, thus completing the circle.
The qualities each of these elements embody, and thus the uses they can be put to, are distinct. Of course, these are not all the ways in which these elements can be used, merely the most common.
Wind is the least visible element to use in combat, being entirely invisible to the naked eye if used correctly, and the primary use of this element is to use the air currents to cut, and can be used to nonlethal effect for throwing an opponent.
Lightning is the most vicious of the elements. It can be used to feed into electrical things as one of the only ways chakra and electricity can work without one of them failing, and to buffer tech against chakra burnout, however, it's also highly destructive. This element is the one most likely to kill its user through sheer carelessness, as one poor move could give the one using it a heart attack.
Earth is often treated as a defensive element. Excellent for creating barriers and walls, or even ducking underground in a fight, the element lends itself to a stable platform of defense and attack. Due to this, attacks with Earth are sometimes rather obvious as it's hard to miss a flying rock to the face.
Water is one of the more versatile elements. It can be used to attack or defend easily, being flexible, and it's a simple matter for a master to be able to keep an opponent pinned to drown them. Water is pulled from the air in wetter climates, thus easing the chakra burden on the user, unlike Fire or Lightning, but is not as easy to obtain as Wind or Earth. It is the middle ground of accessibility, and your access to water would steeply change your chakra reserves in relation to its use.
Fire is obviously used for burning things, primarily. This element is one of the riskier ones, as a person can do themselves considerable harm before mastering the element, and it's not unheard of for users of this element to be incredibly stubborn.
However, the above five are not the only elements to exist. When two or more elements are combined to create a new element, this is often known as a Bloodline Limit (Kekkei Genkai). They are very rare and unique to a select few shinobi, as well as impossible to learn without the unique genetic makeup that makes these techniques possible.
There are also non-elemental ninjutsu types that take full advantage of Yin or Yang release. Yin release typically relates to one's spiritual energy, whereas Yang release relates to physical energy. It is necessary to combine these to execute any given technique, and this is the essential process known as moulding chakra. However, there are some branches of ninjutsu such as medical ninjutsu and unique Bloodlines that utilize these releases in more advanced applications.
Medical ninjutsu relies primarily on Yang energy, entering the physical body to speed cell recovery and promote skin and tissue growth to heal wounds.
Spiritual energy (Yin) is primarily used as a base in Genjutsu- a different branch of techniques altogether.
As an added note, things like animal summoning, forbidden jutsu, and senjutsu fall into this category as well.
Genjutsu- Illusory Techniques
The use of illusions is a delicate art of techniques that utilizes both spiritual (Yin) energy and the clever mind to manipulate chakra in a shinobi's brain in order to effectively control the senses. This can instill anything from a sense of colorblindness to paralysis, sleep, pain and/or mental trauma.
Although lacking in a way to inflict lasting physical damage, even the simplest of genjutsu can be highly effective when used strategically. They're most often used primarily to immobilize or disable so that while the victim is caught and subjected to the effects of a genjutsu, the wielder of a successful technique is free to act in the manner they see fit- whether to physically restrain, harm, or otherwise act without additional distraction.
The primary test for anyone caught in in an illusion is to understand they're in an illusion to begin with and the more senses that are affected by a user's genjutsu, the more difficult this can be. Even then, breaking out of a genjutsu can be a trial, as great focus and control are needed to stop one's flow of chakra in order to dissipate the effect, particularly if the illusion binds them and renders the hand sign for release appear impossible to achieve.
Any strong reminder of reality such as pain or other severe sensory discomfort can effectively snap a shinobi out of a genjutsu. But genjutsu is easiest to break out of when another unaffected shinobi forcibly disrupts the victim's flow of chakra.
It's worth noting that those with unique sensory abilities are typically harder to pull under the spell of genjutsu that in any way affect those particular senses. As these senses are unique from a regular shinobi's, they may be more difficult to fool without knowledge of how they differ from the norm.
There also exist some genjutsu employed by those gifted with unique bloodlines- most notably the Sharingan- that utilize highly advanced techniques capable of terrifying visions and manipulating a shinobi's will.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all genjutsu are delicate, nor do all immobilize the target. Those that immobilize are under the category of Personal genjutsu and only go on inside the mind of their target, often causing them to be unaware of their surroundings. They are the most common branch, and overlap most strongly into the other two branches that genjutsu encompasses.
Those genjutsu that blanket an area, or affect people on an outside level are from the Area genjutsu branch. Changing one's appearance, putting people to sleep on a grand scale, traps which lead a target in circles by changing the look of an area, or even just changing a number on a wall all fall into this category. They are not aimed at an individual, but more are an 'aura' effect that allows the caster to proceed without having to focus on a specific target.
The last of the three genjutsu types is the blunt instrument of Genjutsu, which is known as Primal genjutsu. This is the emotional component of genjutsu. While most genjutsu primarily focus on the five senses, this one works on a purely emotional level through projection of intent. It's a different class of jutsu, as the threatening aura that creates killer intent is in this category, as are things such as soothing the frightened, and making someone trust you through sheer force of will. Many who use this skill do it without being aware of what it is, but there are a rare few who not only can use it consciously, but can control it enough to be truly frightening. It should be especially noted that this branch uses the least chakra of all of them, though a higher capacity tends to intensify the effect.
Taijutsu- Body Techniques
Taijutsu is unique in that it doesn't require hand seals or typically much chakra at all. It's a purely physical fighting style that relies heavily on a body's physical speed and strength to combat opponents. Given that it doesn't utilize chakra and attacks tend to be quicker than when one has to take time in moulding chakra for ninjutsu or genjutsu, taijutsu is generally the primary form of initial engagement in combat.
As a result, all shinobi use taijutsu to some degree, but there exist some specialists whose fighting style relies almost entirely on these forms. Such specialists tend to have high physical endurance, speed, strength, and flexibility. With these traits, they're generally able to overpower their opponents, but without a follow-up specialization in ninjutsu or genjutsu, often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to engaging with quick, long-range opponents.
Kenjutsu is effectively a subset of taijutsu, utilizing the same strengths and focus, but instead of using purely hand-to-hand combat, these types wield weapons- usually swords or other bladed weapons- in combat to great effect.
It is possible to combine taijutsu or kenjutsu with complimenting, supplementary ninjutsu to create unique forms of nintaijutsu.
Other names that weapon based jutsu can be heard of under are Shurikenjutsu which is a reference to skill with throwing weapons, often kunai and shuriken, as the name implies, and Tessenjutsu which is the art of using fans for combat.
Kugutsu- Puppet Art
A unique marriage between ninjutsu and kenjutsu, this fighting style sets itself apart from the usual methods of combat. Puppet users generally also dabble in fuinjutsu to seal their puppets into scrolls for easy transport before summonning them in combat.
Once summoned, puppeteers attach chakra strings to their puppets and manipulate them through the use of their fingers. The number and location of threads often directly relates to the amount of control a shinobi has over a puppet.
Traditionally non-living constructs, puppets cannot function without the control of a shinobi behind them. They do, however, possess very complex compartments that can hide hidden weapons- often tipped with poison -to surprise their opponents and catch them off guard. Employed as a shinobi's defense, these puppets are usually the force an opponents has to contend with before they can even think about getting close to their wielder.
And if one puppet isn't often difficult enough to combat, it's when multiple puppets are used in concert that a single shinobi is effectively outnumbered, and some shinobi use combinations or unique sets of puppets to take full advantage of difference functions to create a deadly display that can swiftly spell disaster for any unsuspecting opponent. This skill makes a single puppeteer fully capable of taking on multiple opponents.
Since they aren't living beings however, puppets are inherently fragile, and their joints make up their weak points. The best defense against them is to either stop them, dismantle them, or somehow manage to engage the puppeteer directly, as they're generally vulnerable to attack if their puppets are taken out of the picture.
A puppeteer's skill is often gauged by how many puppets he can effectively control and coordinate at once.
As a side note, Suna is most well-known for their kugutsu users. Shinobi wielding puppets from other countries isn't unheard of, but are somewhat rare.
Fuinjutsu- Sealing Techniques
Sealing techniques aren't often used in combat, but still hold a wide range of applicability both on and off the field. Fuinjutsu are crafted through the manipulation of chakra to make up seals, which vary in complexity, by those with extensive knowledge in their usage. Seals can be created with blood, venom, ink, or in the case of the very skilled, chakra alone, and spread over a sealed object with distinctive markings in patterns unique to the seal created.
Fuinjutsu are generally known for their ability to bind or seal something inside of another object or person, and the most common object used for this is scrolls.
Scrolls bound with fuinjutsu can be released to yield weapons, chakra, or even specific jutsu. As such, this art is commonly used to set traps, to trigger effects in response to chakra or movement and catch an opponent unaware. Wary shinobi can sometimes detect these traps however, and with enough knowledge in fuinjutsu, either release or counter a seal with another.
Seals can also be used to bind or contain chakra within shinobi to prevent them from utilizing ninjutsu of genjutsu, or even specific areas such as operating rooms within a hospital where control must be absolute and no interference can be allowed.
As seen in explosive notes, some seals are transferred onto paper slips that contain a specific effect and can be activated or applied to a person or object by even someone with no ability in the art itself. These are often limited in effect however, and only offer a single use.
At its highest caliber, fuinjutsu can even be used to seal living entities.
Juinjutsu
- Almost always applied onto living objects, these types of seals are often used to control the object in question. They can inflict both mental and physical torment, or even grant the subject uniquely enhanced abilities.
As well, some juinjutsu sealed into a living object may activate on its own in a premeditated response to certain triggers. The intricacies of these techniques are often kept secret, and stray into forbidden territory.