Amaterasu

Amaterasu is a Mangekyō Sharingan dōjutsu , and the highest level of Fire Release . Said to represent the "Material World and Light" ( 物質界と光 , Busshitsukai to Hikari ), Amaterasu is the antipode to Tsukuyomi .

## Overview [ ]

Amaterasu produces black flames at the focal point of the user's vision. In most situations, this makes Amaterasu impossible to avoid. However, with enough speed, it is possible to avoid , dodge, or intercept the jutsu after it has been cast. Said to be "the fires from hell" and to burn as hot as the sun itself, Amaterasu burns any material — other flames included — until nothing but ash remains. Throughout the series defences that keep the user separate from the flame has been effective, such Naruto's Version 1 chakra cloak. Befitting their description as never disappearing and immortal, Amaterasu's flames cannot be extinguished through most conventional means and will continue burning until their target is completely incinerated; only the user can put out the flames.

Amaterasu does not ordinarily require hand seals to be performed, though Sasuke Uchiha once used the Tiger hand seal, which is common for fire techniques. This technique can also be sealed within the Sharingan of another person.

Use of this technique puts a great deal of strain on the user, usually causing their eyes to bleed. Though the user can make Amaterasu incinerate things near-instantly when focusing on it, Amaterasu burns fairly slowly normally, allowing targets to remove burning clothes before their body is caught ablaze or, if it is too late for that, remove the burning body part(s) before it spreads. Other defensive options are pushing the flames away , absorbing them through the Rinnegan , Kāma absorption, certain space–time ninjutsu , or being the jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails . While impractical as a defence, Amaterasu can also be sealed .

Because of the ability of his right Mangekyō Sharingan, Sasuke can control and shape the flames of Amaterasu using Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi , allowing him to extend the ability beyond mere offence; Amaterasu's flames can be used as a deterrent, with users surrounding themselves in its flames to discourage physical attacks. Gaara 's chakra-infused sand has proven capable of defending against the manipulated flames.

## Influence [ ]

Amaterasu , like Tsukuyomi and Susanoo , is a god in ancient Japanese myth and the Shintō religion. Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, was born from the left eye of Izanagi when he performed the cleansing ritual after escaping the underworld.

The various attacks named after gods might be due to the Shinto gods also being responsible for some destructive forces according to the Nihon Shoki , although the Magatsuhi-no-kami were associated with disasters the most centuries after the writing of the Nihon Shoki .

## Trivia [ ]

- Despite being initially described as spawning at the user's point of focus, Amaterasu has at times been depicted as traveling through space towards its targets, making it possible for other high speed techniques to counter it.
- The trading card game Naruto Kayou by Studio Pierrot classifies this technique as S-Rank .

## See Also [ ]

- Hinokagutsuchi
- True Fire of Samadhi

## References [ ]