Naruto Columns
08/17/2023
The Power of Sand: Recreating Gaara's Jutsu Alongside Scientists and Feeling the Crushing Despair (Part 2)
In the first part, we experimented with hardening sand to unlock the secrets of Gaara's Shield of Sand and Sand Armor.
As I have already explained, Gaara is amazingly cool. In order to be cool like him I'd need to manipulate sand, right? I want to see if that's even possible for us poor, chakra-less people, so I'm consulting some scientists who are experts on all things sand! (Part 2 of 2)
As I have already explained, Gaara is amazingly cool. In order to be cool like him I'd need to manipulate sand, right? I want to see if that's even possible for us poor, chakra-less people, so I'm consulting some scientists who are experts on all things sand! (Part 2 of 2)
Contents
Last time, we learned how sand could be used for defense.
So naturally, it's time to see if it can be used for offense too, like with Imploding Sand Funeral. For that, we need to make it flow like water as opposed to hardening it. To check how possible that is, for part two I invited science actor Genki Ichioka and visiting professor at the Institute of Technologists Yasushi Matoba.
So naturally, it's time to see if it can be used for offense too, like with Imploding Sand Funeral. For that, we need to make it flow like water as opposed to hardening it. To check how possible that is, for part two I invited science actor Genki Ichioka and visiting professor at the Institute of Technologists Yasushi Matoba.
When I asked them about making sand move like a liquid, Professor Matoba proposed making use of the "fluidized bed" phenomenon via a device he created called a "Fluidized Bed Interface".
A video produced in 2016 of a boat being rowed on a Fluidized Bed Interface. Most likely the first pool designed to allow people to ride boats, swim, and play in sand.
You may have drawn some hints from the name, but the fluidized bed phenomenon involves pumping air into sand in order to make it behave like water (check out Professor Matoba's YouTube channel for details). The obvious follow-up question is, "What exactly do you mean by 'behave like water'?" I think it's safe to assume if you're walking on a sandy beach, you're not going to think, "Ah, this is water." It's sandy, so you're going to think it's sand. However, when it's in a fluidized bed, the texture of sand becomes like that of water.
For example, if you place a basketball on sand and strike it like you're dribbling, it's going nowhere.
For example, if you place a basketball on sand and strike it like you're dribbling, it's going nowhere.
As Kurare said previously, "sand can absorb force". The same thing is happening here—the sand is absorbing the impact of the ball being hit.
But pump air into the sand, and you can dribble to your heart's content!
But pump air into the sand, and you can dribble to your heart's content!
It bounces—or rather it floats—back to the top, just like it would if you held a basketball underwater and then let go.
The fluidized bed is visually stunning, but it operates on a relatively simple principle. A pump under the sand forces a large volume of air into the bed. The grains of sand are buoyed by the air, creating a texture akin to flowing water.
The Fluidized Bed Interface is a groundbreaking invention that has won numerous awards in contests run by both the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications—naturally, I had never heard of it. Sand that acts like water just because you blow air into it? Which goes back to being normal sand when you stop? Pretty unbelievable stuff.
Using this technology, while the Imploding Sand Funeral might still be beyond us, the preceding step, Coffin of Crushing Sand, might not be impossible to recreate.
Sink someone into a fluidized bed, then stop pumping in air. They should be trapped and unable to move. Seems like air can be our world's chakra too, not just the proteins in milk.
As an aside, this technology is also used in incinerators. Not only is sand good at storing thermal energy, but its temperature can be easily adjusted, so it can quickly burn up garbage at temperatures of over 600 degrees Celsius. The combustion efficiency is so good that this method has been used in Japan since the 1970s. Gaara is truly a scientific marvel.
As an aside, this technology is also used in incinerators. Not only is sand good at storing thermal energy, but its temperature can be easily adjusted, so it can quickly burn up garbage at temperatures of over 600 degrees Celsius. The combustion efficiency is so good that this method has been used in Japan since the 1970s. Gaara is truly a scientific marvel.
Insofar as I understand the explanation, I feel like Coffin of Crushing Sand is reproducible. But I'm the kind of guy who has to try things out for myself.
So I selfishly asked Professor Matoba to prepare a Fluidized Bed Interface big enough to bury a human in.
So I selfishly asked Professor Matoba to prepare a Fluidized Bed Interface big enough to bury a human in.
Once I jump in here, I'll be able to personally confirm whether or not Coffin of Crushing Sand can be reproduced. Of course, to prevent sand from getting into anywhere important, I prepared my own "Absolute Defense" with a mask and some protective clothing. I also listened carefully to the other two when they were explaining things so I wouldn't get injured.
I was honestly worried, so I asked Genki, "I won't die, right?" To which he responded, "You won't die." I then asked, "And I'll be able to get out of the sand, right?" He replied, "As long as there's no power outage and nothing trips the circuit breaker and stops us from pumping in air, it'll be fine." Thus, praying desperately for a lack of blackouts, I jumped in enthusiastically.
I'd just been jumping on the sand no problem, but this time I sank straight in. I even felt my body's buoyancy push me upwards. Less sand bath, more swimming pool.
However, it was a different story after they turned off the air pump.
However, it was a different story after they turned off the air pump.
It's a Coffin of Crushing Sand all right. No way was I getting out of this. Even if I pushed with all my strength, I could barely wiggle my toes. I guess this is what people mean when they talk about an iron grip. In my case, it was a sandy grip, though.
The sand's hold was so powerful that it made being tied up with ropes seem like a joke. I doubt I could have even moved a millimeter. Was this really the same sand I had taken a dip in moments before?
The sand's hold was so powerful that it made being tied up with ropes seem like a joke. I doubt I could have even moved a millimeter. Was this really the same sand I had taken a dip in moments before?
"If we used pressure to compress the sand at this point, you could personally experience Imploding Sand Funeral too," said Genki, full of cheer.
Thankfully, it seems that might be easier said than done.
Unlike with water where depth increases pressure, it seems we can't increase the pressure of the sand by simply layering more on top.
...Or so I heard Genki muttering to himself while I was struggling to escape. I wished he'd hurry up and focus on getting me back out.
Unlike with water where depth increases pressure, it seems we can't increase the pressure of the sand by simply layering more on top.
...Or so I heard Genki muttering to himself while I was struggling to escape. I wished he'd hurry up and focus on getting me back out.
As a result of being buried in sand, I got a really strong understanding of what makes Gaara so powerful. All hail the mighty sand!
I initially thought there'd be no way we could actually reproduce one of Gaara's moves. You'd need chakra, after all. But as it turns out, we can get pretty close by using the power of modern technology. In other words, both sand and science are pretty incredible.
This may be slightly off topic, but for several days after this experiment, sand would mysteriously appear around my body and home. Perhaps I too now possess the power to manipulate chakra after being buried in the sand, though I'm not quite on Gaara's level. If you think of it that way, this interview was an important training exercise.
That's what I tell myself as I sweep my house with a good, old-fashioned broom...again.
Even further off topic, Kurare said that his favorite NARUTO character is Karin. He finds her glasses and mannerisms appealing, which I get!
This may be slightly off topic, but for several days after this experiment, sand would mysteriously appear around my body and home. Perhaps I too now possess the power to manipulate chakra after being buried in the sand, though I'm not quite on Gaara's level. If you think of it that way, this interview was an important training exercise.
That's what I tell myself as I sweep my house with a good, old-fashioned broom...again.
Even further off topic, Kurare said that his favorite NARUTO character is Karin. He finds her glasses and mannerisms appealing, which I get!
Photography: Mime Soga
Interview Cooperation: Institute of Technologists, Visiting Professor Yasushi Matoba
GIF Filming/Creation: Editorial Department
*All experiments carried out under expert supervision and following strict safety guidelines.
Interview Cooperation: Institute of Technologists, Visiting Professor Yasushi Matoba
GIF Filming/Creation: Editorial Department
*All experiments carried out under expert supervision and following strict safety guidelines.
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