Author Masashi Kishimoto is renowned for incorporating all sorts of hidden references and mythological links within his famed series Naruto. While some references are more obvious, such as Chakra and the Paths of Pain belonging to Buddhism, others are a bit more covert and difficult to decipher. One such reference can be found in the form of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation, a traditional team formed by members of the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans.
At face value, the name of the formation seems to derive simply from the prefixes of each member’s name, and while that may be true to some extent, a deeper meaning lies behind the complete name. The meaning is further tied to all three clans in various ways, either through the clans’ history or through their techniques and abilities.
Reference Behind Ino-Shika-Cho
The name Ino-Shika-Cho itself is directly taken from a popular Japanese card game known as Koi-Koi. The game utilizes Hanafuda cards, a type of Japanese playing cards that are much smaller in size and are known as flower cards. Ino, Shika, and Cho are three Hanafuda cards that make up the winning hand in the game, similar to a ‘full house’ in Poker. The formation is translated into the series in the form of the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans’ traditional Ino-Shika-Cho formation, one that has remained undefeated against most opponents.
Apart from the formation serving as a winning hand of sorts, each prefix used in the name also has a deeper, hidden meaning. All three prefixes translate to an animal in Japanese, with Ino, Shika, and Cho translating to boar, deer, and butterfly respectively. These three animals are reflected in all three clan’s abilities and techniques in one way or another, staying true to the meaning behind their names.
Ino – Boar
The word Ino itself translates to boar, which is a type of wild pig. The reference to the name itself remains difficult to decipher, especially since none of Ino’s techniques symbolize boars or pigs. However, paired with the Yamanka Clan’s meaning, things start to become a bit more clear. The clan’s name ‘Yamanaka’ means ‘among the mountains’ in Japanese, and it is also the name of a lake located at the base of Mt. Fuji.
The two names are interconnected as wild boars are commonly associated with Japan’s mountains. They are sometimes referred to as Yamakujira or ‘whales of the mountains,’ mostly owing to the colossal amount of meat they produce. Other references in the series can be found in the form of Sakura insulting Ino by calling her Ino-pig, a covert reference to the meaning behind her name. Moreover, Ino’s family runs a flower shop, which could possibly be a reference to the Hanafuda flower cards.
Shika – Deer
Shika directly translates to deer in Japanese, and this reference is apparent in the series in the form of the Nara Clan’s affinity towards deers. It was stated that the Nara Clan looks after deers in the Hidden Leaf Village as they have a special connection with these animals. Moreover, the Nara Clan is based on the city of Nara in Japan, which served as the country’s capital during the eight century. The city is known for its high population of deers, with some even coexisting with the locals.
While Shikamaru’s techniques and abilities don’t exactly reference this animal, his disposition is somewhat similar to the animal. Deers are known as quick and intuitive animals, always wary of the situation at hand. Shikamaru’s quick intuition and analysis of every situation is a reflection of these deer-like qualities.
Cho – Butterfly
Cho translates to butterfly in Japanese, a reference that can be seen in Choji’s abilities as well as his personality. After Choji ate the third pill in his fight against Jirobo of the Sound 4, he grew wings made out of Chakra, similar to a butterfly’s. These butterfly wings can be witnessed once more during the Fourth Great Ninja War, in the form of the Akimichi Clan’s Butterfly Mode. This mode allows the clan’s members to burn their calories and manifest butterfly wings. This state can either be entered by consuming the Three-Coloured Pills, or by practicing Calorie Control to enter Butterfly Mode without the pills.
Choji’s father also makes several references related to butterflies, stating that Choji has to break out of his cocoon to become stronger. It becomes heavily apparent that butterflies are interconnected with the Akimichi Clan with these references and symbolic links. Butterflies are also known for their affinity towards sweets, which is accurately reflected by Choji’s love for sweets and food in general. Another reference to Choji’s love for food is the clan’s name ‘Akimichi,’ referring to the autumn time of the year when streets are lined with vendors and food.