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| Alias(es) | First Tsuchikage (初代土影, Shodai Tsuchikage, Literally meaning: First or Founding Earth Shadow) |
| Kanji | 上水流イシカワ |
| Rōmaji | Kamizuru Ishikawa |
| Debut | |
| Novel | Naruto: A Shinobi Story |
| Appears in | Novel |
| Character Status | |
| Status | Deceased |
| Birthdate |  May 6
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| Gender |  Male
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| Height | 1.45 m |
| Weight | 46.3 kg. |
| Blood Type | O |
| Home Country |  Land of Earth
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| Clan |  Kamizuru Clan
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| Family | Ōnoki (Grandson) Kitsuchi (Great-Grandson) Kurotsuchi (Great-Great-Granddaughter) |
| Affiliation(s) |  Iwagakure
|
| Occupation(s) | Tsuchikage |
| Rank | Kage |
| Nature Type | |
 Earth Release
| |
| Weaponry | |
| Earth Technique: Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique | |
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Ishikawa Kamizuru (上水流イシカワ, Kamizuru Ishikawa) was the First Tsuchikage (初代土影, Shodai Tsuchikage, Literally meaning: First or Founding Earth Shadow) who founded Iwagakure and the Land of Earth.
Background[]
Ishikawa attending the five Kage summit along with Mū.
At the first meeting of the five Kage, Ishikawa, accompanied by Mū, sat alongside the others, where he noted that he had come in good faith to endorse the meeting of the five Kage, but noted that he would not sign so easily to agreement. True to his words, he expressed outrage when the First Kazekage made a demand that instead of receiving a tailed beast, as the sand priests had already sealed away one, they requested 30% of whatever they would pay for a tailed beast from Konoha. As in-fighting broke out and Hashirama Senju made his plea to them to preserve the future of their children and unite, he looked on intently.[1]
Ishikawa speaking with Ōnoki.
At some point during his tenure, Ishikawa tasked his grandson Ōnoki with cleaning the Stone Monument of their village, under his direct supervision. During the exercise, he explained that the stone was a symbol of the tough, unmovable will of the shinobi of Iwagakure — something that he regarded as "essential". Although describing Ōnoki as possessing such a will, he warned how forsaking it would result in a life filled only with excuses and hatred.[2]
Personality[]
Ishikawa seemed to be a composed individual, with wisdom and experience befitting his age. By his admission, he was able to discern the value of a stone and a person’s will by merely looking at them. Ishikawa was also known for his love of puns,[3] as a consequence of this, he tended to refer to stones and their properties while speaking, aptly demonstrated during his advice to Ōnoki about discovering his innate strong will.[4] This tendency, however, would lead to his grandson detesting the use of puns.[5]
Appearance[]
Ishikawa in his old age wearing the Tsuchikage headpiece.
During old age, Ishikawa had grown a bristling mustache and long beard, both of which had dark alternating highlights running through his grey hair. He also tended to squint, or otherwise only open just one of his eyes when necessary. He wore the traditional Kage attire — consisting of the customary hat and cloak — over a dark, loose-fitting, full-length gown that was tied using a lighter sash around his waist.
At the first meeting of the five Kage, he wore a dark-colored kimono with light-colored trimmings, while his long hair hung loosely around his face.[6]
Abilities[]
Though his capabilities remain largely unknown, overall, as the founding Tsuchikage, Ishikawa was undoubtedly a powerful shinobi. He was able to use Earth Release to make his body light enough to fly.[7]
Legacy[]
Many years after his reign, Ishikawa’s family would produce two more Tsuchikage, his grandson Ōnoki becoming the Third, and his great-great-granddaughter Kurotsuchi becoming the Fourth. He also created the Will of Stone, Iwa’s nindō stating that all shinobi of the village must be strong-willed and proud without giving in to hate.[8] This philosophy would shape Iwagakure to be the most ruthless and cutthroat among the Five Great Shinobi Countries.
Trivia[]
- “Ishikawa” (石川) literally means “stone river”.
- His name may have also been taken from one of the prefectures in Japan.
- Alternatively, his name could originate from the legendary sixteenth-century ninja Ishikawa Goemon (石川五右衛門).
Quotes[]
- (To Ōnoki) “If you forsake your will while hitting a wall…you will begin to make excuses and obtain hatred in exchange of your determination. Listen now…you have to step forward without abandoning your will!”[9]
References[]