|
This article, Bunpuku (RW109), uses content from Narutopedia. |
| |
| Kanji | 分福 |
| Debut | |
| Novel | Naruto: A Shinobi Story |
| Appears in | Novel |
| Character Status | |
| Status | Deceased |
| Birthdate |  February 9
|
| Gender |  Male
|
| Height | Part II: 1.67 m |
| Weight | Part II: 38.2 kg. |
| Blood Type | O |
| Affiliation(s) |  Sunagakure
|
| Occupation(s) | Priest |
| Classification | Jinchūriki |
| Tailed Beast | Shukaku (Forms) |
| Jutsu | |
| Dharma Power Seal | |
| Weaponry | |
| Sand | |
|
|
Bunpuku (分福) was an elderly priest of Sunagakure and the first jinchūriki of Shukaku.[1]
Background[]
Before the capture and distribution of the tailed beasts amongst the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Shukaku was already in the possession of Sunagakure since its founding. The beast was sealed into Bunpuku when he was born, making him its first jinchūriki.[2][3] Bunpuku was feared and despised by his fellow villagers and was kept jailed and under constant guard. In fact, the villagers believed him to be Shukaku itself, and had all but forgotten his true name.
Shukaku sealed within Bunpuku.
During a conversation with Shukaku, the tanuki asked its host if the fact that all the villagers shunned him and he could only talk with it didn't upset him any at all. The priest noted that if he were to be separated from Shukaku, he would be dead because he was a jinchūriki. Shukaku told the priest that he reminded it of the Sage of the Six Paths, bringing the elderly priest to tears. He thanked the tanuki and noted that those were the kindest words he had received so far. He later said to Shukaku that there will be someone who will save and guide it in the future.[4] Eventually, Shukaku was extracted from him, resulting in his death.[5] Over the years, the people of Sunagakure came to believe Shukaku was this priest’s living incarnation.
Personality[]
Bunpuku was a kindhearted and wise man. Though shunned by the villagers because of the tailed beast inside of him, he still thought of Shukaku as his friend, and bore no ill-will towards the beast. When the Sunagakure guards who guarded him insulted him, Bunpuku never insulted them back, being a pacifist who believed that people could accept and understand each other, even if one of them is a beast. Shukaku also noted that Bunpuku reminded it of the Sage of Six Paths, due to treating a tailed beast with much respect.
Appearance[]
The kanji inscribed on Bunpuku’s palms.
Bunpuku was an elderly man and like most priests, his head was bald. He had a long, bushy moustache and beard and had black rings around his eyes. His attire was one worn by priests with over-long white sleeves and a purple-colored kimono-vest over it. In his palms, he had the kanji for “accept” (受, ukeru) and “heart” (心, kokoro) encarved by his master.
Abilities[]
As Shukaku’s jinchūriki, Bunpuku was blessed with the immense reserves of especially strong chakra and access to Shukaku’s abilities such as sand manipulation. Bunpuku was able to keep the beast under control for a long time without extra support such as a cage to contain the beast. Also, Bunpuku never succumbed to the mental degradation induced by being Shukaku’s jinchūriki, having a better relationship with his tailed beast. He was said to be a powerful fūinjutsu user as he managed to seal Shukaku inside a tea kettle.[6]
Legacy[]
Despite never mastering Shukaku’s power himself, Bunpuku’s words resonated with Shukaku years later, allowing the tanuki to make peace with its most recent jinchūriki, Gaara.
Trivia[]
- His name is a reference to Bunbuku Chagama, a Japanese folktale about a tanuki that uses its shapeshifting powers to reward an old man who rescued it for his kindness.
- Gaara, Shukaku’s latest jinchūriki, has the kanji for “love” (愛, ai) engraved on his forehead. The two kanji in the priest’s hands combine to make the word “love”.
- In the anime, he was referred to as Shukaku’s first jinchūriki.[7]
- To prevent the jinchūriki from turning traitor, it is tradition for the host to be selected from the family of the village’s own Kage. It might be that Bunpuku somehow related to one of the Kazekage.
Quotes[]
- (To Shukaku) “The human heart is like the reflection on the water’s surface… The mouth says things opposite to what the heart really feels… But in truth, the hidden heart wants people to accept each other. Even when one of them is a beast…”[8]
- (To Shukaku) “Humans and beasts… There is no need to make a distinction.”[9]
References[]