Konohagakure no Sato is by far the largest of the five hidden shinobi villages, boasting the largest civilian population. However, in comparison to many of the other villages, Konoha has a high shinobi-to-civilian ratio. Civilians generally enjoy an easy-going life due to the village’s economic prosperity. The unemployment rate is rather low due to the abundance of shops and business scattered about the village. The civilians of Konoha – especially merchants and businessmen – typically travel often within Fire Country, adding to the village’s economic prosperity.
From a young age, every citizen of Konoha is exposed to the doctrine of The Will of Fire. Every Konoha citizen is taught that, no matter what happens - be it war, economic troubles, or personal issues - that the members of the village will be there for one another. This along with the seemingly pervasive peace has caused much of the villagers to have great pride in Konoha and Fire Country as being the best place to live. The people of Konoha are incredibly social and treat one another as brothers.
However, beneath the surface, there are many rivalries within Konoha between both civilians and shinobi. Though the villagers are typically friendly towards one another, it is not uncommon for these rivalries to sprout violence. Despite this, Konoha manages to keep these outbursts hidden from other villages.
The Shinobi
Clans within Konoha – especially the older clans – are some of the most distinctive and decorated people within Konoha. The clans live separately from other villagers and shinobi within their own clan compounds. Most of the clans are strict in regard to who can live and enter the clan compounds. Many clans have their own internal political and social hierarchy somewhat separate from that of Konoha.
In comparison to the civilians of Konoha, the lifestyle of shinobi is a bit stricter. Shinobi – especially younger shinobi – are not usually permitted to travel without permission from the Hokage or the Council.
The Academy
Konohagakure no Sato's academy begins enrollment for kids of 6 years old. However there is not a maximum age to enroll in the academy as generally those wishing to attain the rank of a Konoha shinobi are welcomed with open arms. The reason why Konoha's academy minimum age is so young is to prepare them to the utmost skill for their graduation, and to also prepare them for the Shinobi life. The typical training regiment for those in the academy consist of practicing taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. While neither of these classes cater to specialties in that area, the teachers are always encouraging individual study into a particular area so that the academy student finds their own way.
The academy also sponsors Shinobi Kumite which the students spar against each other in a friendly manor wishing to one-up each other so that they can build upon each other. Konoha's entire schooling process is a manor of building bonds, and creating life-time friendships that encourage the students to build upon one another. The academy also arranges the tables into three man units, and prefers group projects as opposed to singular ones to build teamwork. As they near the end of the academy the students are put through more physical and mental tasking tests to prove if they're ready for their exams. These results are sent to the board of teachers that determine upon examination which students are ready for their exams. However a student can request to take the exam regardless of their teacher's determination, however it is noted if they failed they are sent back for more schooling until they are ready.
The ending tests for academy students is typically displayed in-front of the Hokage or Council, whichever is present. As the students preform several techniques, such as *[Basic Jutsu • Clone Technique], *[Basic Jutsu • Transformation Technique], and *[Basic Jutsu • Kai Release] to demonstrate their use of ninjutsu and genjutsu. For the taijutsu exam, a Chuunin teacher steps forward to spar with the student to demonstrate their use of taijutsu. If their skill in taijutsu is proficient they will move onto the next section which features survival skills such as identifying plants that are edible, and displaying proper survival skills. After going through all the trials, if the student has passed they will be asked to swear an oath to protecting Konohagakure, as well as speaking The Words from the Will of Fire as a signification of their will to serve their village. After succeeding through all they will be now pronounced a Genin, and given their headband.
The graduation process is one where the student has their picture taken for their shinobi file, kept locked up in the Konohagakure Records building. The minimum age for a student to pass is 12, and there is no max age as anyone can enroll in the academy at any age after 6, and can graduate from the academy at any age after 12. However it is a mandatory part of Konoha schooling anyone entering the academy must stay in schooling for review for at least a year. This is part of Konoha's belief that "If a student is ready, and can pass their exams. They are allowed to move on to attain the rank of Genin." This belief is in-part due to home schooling, as some shinobi families prefer to teach their kids at home, and send them for their Genin exams. This is widely accepted as sometimes the bond of family teaching is stronger than the schools teaching.
Government and Leadership
The Hokage is the head of the village and makes many of the decisions that affect Konoha as a whole. However, there is a Council, a small group of elected officials responsible for selecting the Hokage and act as the Hokage’s advisers. In addition to the Council, the Hokage often has personal advisers. These individuals are often the clan leaders of the larger, older clans of Konoha or a few of the Hokage’s most trusted friends. Since these advisers have unofficial positions, they have no real political power.
The Hokage is typically seen not only as an admired leader, but also as a member of the village. He takes part in festivities, and will make an honest effort to speak with any village member that wishes to do so. The Hokage takes part in nearly all shinobi promotions. It's a firm belief in Konoha that one should rule with love, and not with fear.
Foreign Affairs
Konohagakure is open to develop relations with the other hidden villages. However, only the relationship between Sunagakure is favorable, as they are Konoha’s only allies. Both villages call upon one another first during times of hardship. Although the two villages share this bond, the relationship is shaky due to the general attitudes of the villages being polar opposites. Suna views Konoha as inferior, while and Konoha sometimes to view Suna as brutish and uptight. Some members of Konoha are even distrusting of Suna’s intentions. Despite the differences between the two villages, Konoha is enthusiastic about maintaining the friendship.
Konoha’s relationships with the other villages, however, are either hostile or non-existent. Konoha and Iwa are all but enemies as the two villages have never seen eye to eye and war could easily break out between the two. Kiri, Iwa’s ally, wants absolutely nothing to do with the village, so other than that of tense resentment, there is not much of a relationship between the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Mist. The relationship between Kumo and Konoha does not exist at all, as Kumo completely ignores the Leaf.
Fire Country is friendly towards River Country and has a distinct alliance with Tea Country. River Country is treated as a route between Suna and Konoha. Tea Country is protected by Fire Country and Konoha, and there is a great amount of trade between the two.
Trading with Konohagakure no Sato is something a bit different compared to other villages. Because of the difficulty in navigating the Forest that surrounds the village, all trading is done through outpost towns located within Fire Country. A large squad of Jounin and Chuunin are sent to each outpost with sealed goods which are then exchanged for the goods from vendors. The merchandise is then sealed within large storage scrolls and taken back to the village.
Festivals and Celebrations In Konohagakure no SatoShow
Festivals and Celebrations
February & August
[table=1,The Feast]A festival put on by the Akimichi clan as they invite all, shinobi and villagers alike to participate in their grand feast. This is to tighten bonds as everyone comes together for one thing, and that is to eat. The festival is to bring people together as they enjoy each other's company. They typically share stories over drinks, and some of the civilian theatres will put on shows for people to enjoy as they eat. The Hokage usually makes an appearance during the festival to shake hands with all villagers, shinobi and civilian alike. As well as enjoy a bit of barbecue with the others villagers.[/table]
November 22nd
[table=1,The Embers of The Will]The Embers of The Will is an event held every year in Konohagakure to draw families closer together, and make them feel more as one. During this day all families are pardoned from working, and all business are shut down except those who opt to stay open voluntarily. During the day families gather around in their houses to play games, and spend time with each other by having breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. Most shinobi other than those with important missions are pardoned to spend the time with their families as well, holding games, training, or other family bonding events to celebrate their connections and relationships. Not only is this limited to families, but most families will opt to celebrate it with their friends or friendly families as a unifying their ties and friendships.[/table]
December 31st
[table=1,The Paper Lantern Festival]The Paper Lantern Festival is an important village wide tradition put on by the Awai clan. As they celebrate the unification of the village, bringing together all, regardless of clan and class to celebrate the friendship and bond over the Will of Fire symbolic of the paper lanterns. These events are typically held at the end of the year as part of the tradition is putting a New Years Resolution in the lantern as they let them float freely in the sky. This tradition is typically hosted during the late times of the evening around 5:00PM to 12:00AM as it allows the night to get dark. At 11:59PM before it hits the darkest point of the night, everyone gathers around the village center to let loose their paper lanterns as they float upwards towards the sky. Their resolutions known only to themselves and the wind. The release of the paper lanterns is symbolic of the Will of Fire as it shows the entwining and collaboration of all their lanterns lighting up the sky being the light shining in the darkness.[/table]
February & August
[table=1,The Feast]A festival put on by the Akimichi clan as they invite all, shinobi and villagers alike to participate in their grand feast. This is to tighten bonds as everyone comes together for one thing, and that is to eat. The festival is to bring people together as they enjoy each other's company. They typically share stories over drinks, and some of the civilian theatres will put on shows for people to enjoy as they eat. The Hokage usually makes an appearance during the festival to shake hands with all villagers, shinobi and civilian alike. As well as enjoy a bit of barbecue with the others villagers.[/table]
November 22nd
[table=1,The Embers of The Will]The Embers of The Will is an event held every year in Konohagakure to draw families closer together, and make them feel more as one. During this day all families are pardoned from working, and all business are shut down except those who opt to stay open voluntarily. During the day families gather around in their houses to play games, and spend time with each other by having breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. Most shinobi other than those with important missions are pardoned to spend the time with their families as well, holding games, training, or other family bonding events to celebrate their connections and relationships. Not only is this limited to families, but most families will opt to celebrate it with their friends or friendly families as a unifying their ties and friendships.[/table]
December 31st
[table=1,The Paper Lantern Festival]The Paper Lantern Festival is an important village wide tradition put on by the Awai clan. As they celebrate the unification of the village, bringing together all, regardless of clan and class to celebrate the friendship and bond over the Will of Fire symbolic of the paper lanterns. These events are typically held at the end of the year as part of the tradition is putting a New Years Resolution in the lantern as they let them float freely in the sky. This tradition is typically hosted during the late times of the evening around 5:00PM to 12:00AM as it allows the night to get dark. At 11:59PM before it hits the darkest point of the night, everyone gathers around the village center to let loose their paper lanterns as they float upwards towards the sky. Their resolutions known only to themselves and the wind. The release of the paper lanterns is symbolic of the Will of Fire as it shows the entwining and collaboration of all their lanterns lighting up the sky being the light shining in the darkness.[/table]
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Major Organizations in Konohagakure no Sato
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