Yamanaka Clan

The Yamanaka Clan ( 山中一族 , Yamanaka Ichizoku ) is a family of ninja from Konohagakure . They specialize in mind related techniques, and they run a flower shop in the village. They currently lead Konoha's Barrier Team .

## Overview [ ]

Their members specialize in mind-centered techniques which include controlling the target's body at will, telepathy and mind-reading; which makes them experts at intelligence gathering, espionage and interrogation. They have also displayed sensory abilities.

The traditional clan crest of their clan is a purple bush clover , a flower that symbolizes "positive love" . Like other clans of Konoha, their most prominent feature is their blond hair in a long ponytail.

The Yamanaka clan has a special relationship with the Akimichi and Nara clan . For generations, members of these three families have formed an "Ino–Shika–Chō Trio", named after the first part of the names of their members, with the Yamanaka members forming the "Ino" in the trio. As a token of their bond, each parent gift their child an earring when they become genin. Moreover, to strengthen the unity between the three clans, a member of the Sarutobi clan will give them special earrings to present to each generation when they are promoted to chūnin after which they will swear their oaths. The earrings also symbolize that they are considered adults by their respective clans.

## Leaders [ ]

- Inoichi Yamanaka (deceased)

## Trivia [ ]

- Yamanaka means "in the middle of the mountain" or "in the mountain range".
- There is a lake called Lake Yamanaka at the base of Mount Fuji.
- "Ino–Shika–Chō" is the name of a card combination from Hanafuda .
- The bush clover in the Yamanaka crest is a Thunberg's bushclover, native to China and Japan. It is often cultivated for its beautiful purple blossoms that bloom in autumn.
- Despite their tradition of wearing a long ponytail, some members of the clan like Sai prefer to skip this tradition.