NARUTO CORNER
10/23/2023
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Hashirama's Birthday on 10/23! Looking Back on the Founder of Konoha, Who Was Hailed as a "God of Shinobi"!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the man who left his mark on history by founding the Hidden Leaf Village and becoming the First Hokage: Hashirama Senju!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the man who left his mark on history by founding the Hidden Leaf Village and becoming the First Hokage: Hashirama Senju!
■Hashirama Senju
・Birthday: October 23rd (Libra)
・Favorite Food: Mushroom zosui
Heir of the Senju Clan, Born in a Time of Strife
It's the Era of Warring States, when ninja repay blood with blood.
Hashirama is born as the eldest son of Butsuma Senju, head of the Senju Clan.
Hashirama is born as the eldest son of Butsuma Senju, head of the Senju Clan.
Many children are sent into battle and lose their lives...
Even at a young age, Hashirama sees this and harbors doubts about the shinobi world.
Even at a young age, Hashirama sees this and harbors doubts about the shinobi world.
He later meets Madara, with whom his fate will be intertwined, and the seed of a dream is planted in his mind.
"LET'S BUILD OUR SETTLEMENT HERE!!"
"IT'LL BE A PLACE WHERE KIDS DON'T HAVE TO BE SENT INTO HARSH BATTLEFRONTS!"
The idea that Hashirama talks about as a boy will eventually become the foundation for the hidden village system.
Madara and Hashirama's friendship continues to deepen, but it is fated to be brief.
Madara and Hashirama's friendship continues to deepen, but it is fated to be brief.
When it's revealed that they are heirs to opposing clans, Madara cuts the ties between them, and they have many subsequent encounters that take place on the battlefield.
Hashirama and Madara both become heads of their respective clans.
After a duel that goes on for an entire day, the two of them are able to show their cards and find a way to trust each other, joining hands in friendship once more.
After a duel that goes on for an entire day, the two of them are able to show their cards and find a way to trust each other, joining hands in friendship once more.
The Hokage of the Hidden Leaf
After beginning construction of their village, Hashirama and Madara forge a relationship with the Land of Fire.
They intend to create a peaceful country where there is an equal relationship between the Daimyo and shinobi.
They intend to create a peaceful country where there is an equal relationship between the Daimyo and shinobi.
The ninja leader will be called the "Hokage".
The hidden village will be named "Konohagakure", or "the Village Hidden in the Leaves".
Able to hear each other out and laugh together as they discuss future plans, it seems like things are back to the way they were for Hashirama and Madara.
However, their paths soon diverge once more.
The hidden village will be named "Konohagakure", or "the Village Hidden in the Leaves".
Able to hear each other out and laugh together as they discuss future plans, it seems like things are back to the way they were for Hashirama and Madara.
However, their paths soon diverge once more.
Saying "I've found a different path, a different way", Madara departs from the village.
The system the two of them created is praised even in other nations, and many hidden villages are built following the same style.
The system the two of them created is praised even in other nations, and many hidden villages are built following the same style.
A peaceful world where children don't have to kill each other.
Just when it seems that dream is coming true, Madara returns and attacks Konoha.
Just when it seems that dream is coming true, Madara returns and attacks Konoha.
The Final Battle
Hashirama fights back against Madara with the full force of his wood style ninjutsu.
Even with Madara controlling the Nine Tails, the two are evenly matched, unleashing moves so intense they alter the surrounding area.
Even with Madara controlling the Nine Tails, the two are evenly matched, unleashing moves so intense they alter the surrounding area.
Hashirama tries to talk Madara down, but when he realizes his friend is deaf to his words, he activates Sage Mode, unleashing even greater power!
By combining Sage Jutsu and wood style ninjutsu, he is able to generate huge amounts of energy and create a thousand-armed Kan'on statue many times larger than even the Nine Tails! The Tailed Beast is subdued by the divine statue's hand!
Hashirama and Madara throw everything they have against each other.
After a final clash of blades, the duel approaches its conclusion.
After a final clash of blades, the duel approaches its conclusion.
"I AM GOING TO PROTECT OUR...OR RATHER, MY VILLAGE. NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.
I STILL BELIEVE TO THIS DAY THAT PROTECTING...THE VILLAGE SHALL LEAD TO THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE, SHINOBI AND CHILDREN!
I SHALL NOT TOLERATE ANYONE WHO SEEKS TO HARM THE VILLAGE, BE THEY FRIEND, BROTHER...OR EVEN MY VERY OWN CHILD."
Thus, the battle between Madara and Hashirama comes to an end, and under the guidance of First Hokage Hashirama Senju, the Leaf Village flourishes.
Heart Full of Love, Hashirama Pursues His Dream for the Future
The Nine Tails—captured during the battle with Madara—is brought under control thanks to the aid of Hashirama's wife, Mito Uzumaki.
Although this creates the cruel role of "Jinchuriki" that will later be passed down to Kushina and Naruto, Hashirama's love for his wife is able to ease that hardship.
He also adores his firstborn grandchild, Tsunade, and delights in doting on her.
His love is not reserved for his family, either. Hashirama cares deeply for all of the villagers, and even the shinobi of other nations as well.
The hidden village system which started with Konohagakure spreads across the world, eventually resulting in five major villages that lead to the establishment of what becomes known as the Five Principal Shinobi Territories.
At Hashirama's beckoning, history's first Gokage Summit is held.
At Hashirama's beckoning, history's first Gokage Summit is held.
"I'VE...GOT THIS DREAM...THAT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE...
...THERE'LL COME A DAY WHEN SHINOBI WILL COLLABORATE...AND HELP EACH OTHER, WITH ONE HEART, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AFFILIATION.
THAT IS MY...
...DREAM OF THE FUTURE."
Hashirama bows his head to the others more than once during the meeting, advocating for peace and entreating them to join him on the road to that dream.
The meeting does stabilize some minor conflicts between the nations, but Hashirama's dream of a world without war must be entrusted to the shinobi of the future.
The meeting does stabilize some minor conflicts between the nations, but Hashirama's dream of a world without war must be entrusted to the shinobi of the future.
"I BEG YOU!!
ALL OF MY, OUR, BELOVED CHILDREN!!"
"NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ALL THE PAIN...THE SUFFERING...AND FRUSTRATION...WE SHINOBI HAVE ENDURED...
AND WEAVE IT INTO...
OUR TRUE DREAM!!"
Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)
That's all for Hashirama's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the inspirational leadership of Hashirama Senju!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the inspirational leadership of Hashirama Senju!
