The mon of the Hanamoto clan, a crest of sorts that they wear on the back of their clothes to show they are Hanamoto clan members.[b]Name: the Hanamoto clan.
History: the Hanamoto clan is one that has existed for a short while -- it isn't directly linked to the creation of the world, or any of the really big, incredibly powerful clans. Instead, it is relatively powerful compared to others, but not so much that they are regarded as incredibly strong. They tend to keep to themselves, much like the Hyuga would. However, unlike that clan, they feel more pride for the village they are from which is in this case Iwagakure, after careful consideration of the young master Kanajiro Hanamoto. They wandered the Country of Fire for many years, feuding with other clans as they were often attacked -- however never bested. When possible they let the survivors of the attacks on them live as they were not ones to hold grudges historically, although this has changed over the years. Sometimes they'd attempt to assimilate these people into their own clan strengthening the bonds between them and their original clan, or simply bolstering their ranks.
Most of the Hanamoto clan members were originally powerful enough to be regarded as Jonin-level strength at a young age, but this seems to be something of the past as there have been no prodigies of any sorts until recently, when Kanajiro Hanamoto has started to disprove that statement. They started gaining respect in the shinobi world all over the world -- and the Tsuchikage was amongst the first to extend an invitation to join his relatively young village but this was declined at the time due to the former leader, Kanajiro Hanamoto's father Ichuro Hanamoto having conflicted interests within Iwagakure -- he had been asked to join their rivaling village at that time and didn't want to choose, instead opting to decline both offers. This wise decision later favored him as it was this decision that earned him the title of Daimyó somewhat later. People recognised his talent for objectivity and decisionmaking (which seems to be uninherited by his son, Kanajiro Hanamoto) and asked him to take charge over the country, becoming one of the first Daimyó to take their thrones.
This also meant that he had to give up the clan, much to his regrets. He ordered the clan to find a home away from the Country of Fire -- he didn't want people to think that he was more favorable to his own clan than others. Kanajiro, who was appointed the new leader as he was the heir of that time, agreed with his father and returned to the Tsuchikage, explaining the situation and asking for permittance to enter the village. After some talks about the alignment of the Hanamoto clan, the Tsuchikage agreed to re-extend the invitation. Despite 'severed ties' between Kanajiro and his father, they still communicate through letters however it is well known that these letters are obviously checked by the Iwagakure intelligence units. Kanajiro, who knows this, has however not given out anything in regards to his alignment with his father and considers the ties broken, but intact -- realizing that his father has obligations to serve the Country of Fire and not Iwagakure, so he is prepared to go to war against his own father if the need arrives.
Quite recently Kanajiro has become a genin -- although he is a clan leader. He feels this is only right however -- he is not quite at a jonin level yet so he feels he should start at the bottom. Many of the Hanamoto clan members are stronger than Kanajiro, too, however they recognize that at some point in the future he will be like a Phoenix and rise above them much higher. Whether this is true is to be seen -- all we know is that during his time as a genin, Kanajiro will have two obligations, one to his village and teammates, the other to his clan. To fix this troublesome and illogical situation, members of the clan have agreed to temporarily take over parts of the leadership -- mainly the day-to-day bussiness such as enforcing in-clan laws that are only there for Hanamoto's and ensuring peace and safety within the clan. Diplomacy, fundings and important manners are to be handled by Kanajiro still, and his servant/caretaker Rei Hanamoto, one of the people that was from a clan whom attacked the Hanamoto clan, but was spared and instead assimilated into the clan. Rei Hanamoto however, has chosen not to enroll for shinobi services and instead maintain the peace within the clan -- he is the de-facto placeholder for Kanajiro.
Natural/genetical strengths: The Hanamoto clan have a genetical affinity towards the fire chakra nature, which is 99.9% of the time the first chakra nature male, biological Hanamoto's will find themselves 'unlocking'. However, the affinity seems to be gender related, as female Hanamoto's have an inversed chakra nature affinity and will find their first 'unlocked' chakra nature to be wind 99.9% of the time.
The second 'unlocked' chakra nature for males will often be wind, whereas the second for females will often be fire. The third affinity is usually water, though not many actually find themselves unlocking it. Those that do often have a pretty effective range of natures to use against other natures.
Characteristics: The Hanamoto clan has several appearance and personality based traits that are gender based. For the males, this usually comes into view the best in their white hair, which all of the males share. They also have very dark pupils -- they are brown, but so dark-brown that you'll find yourself wondering if they are not actually black. They are often laid back, relaxed and friendly. This is mostly due to the way they are raised -- they experience a laid back training. The first few years are tough -- they start at the age of 7 with their shinobi related trainings, such as running, strength training, kunai and shuriken marksmanship and general taijutsu. A year later, aged 8, they will also pick up weaponry. They are trained in most weapons -- ranging from naginata's and katana's, to be considered conventional weaponry, up to unconventional weaponry such as gigantic hammers, clubs and even sticks. Despite the relative toughness of these trainings, all males undergo them with enthusiasm since they don't really have anything else to do.
After two more years, they can start what is known as 'teen training' -- the laid back times. They pick 1 weapon, with which they continue training until they are 16. This weapon is known as 'expertise weapon' and is generally the naginata, as most pick this weapon. It's considered the traditional weapon for Hanamoto shinobi and whenever you see a naginata on the battlefield, there's a large chance it's a Hanamoto. However, they have free choice, it's just the most picked weapon.
The physical training such as taijutsu, ninjutsu and general trainings such as cardio and strength are then tailored to individuals. For instance, someone that is exceptionally good in taijutsu and has shown himself to be 'a prodigy' of taijutsu, will find themselves training in this area more following the ancient beliefs of the Hanamoto clan that you should be good at many small things, but exceptionally good at one large thing. This is why they often train many martial styles of taijutsu, or learn many different jutsu's if they are exceptionally good at ninjutsu.
At the age of 16, regardless of whether or not you have chosen to take shinobi-classes in the shinobi academy of the village, you have to undertake a special Hanamoto ceremony. This ceremony is non-lethal, but you will be attacked by a large number of Hanamoto clan members -- testing your mettle and strength. More often than not, the person undertaking the ceremony comes out defeated, however if they show that they have been capable of atleast defending themselves fairly and also managed to take out a good number of people beforehand, they pass and can now call themselves a Hanamoto. If they fail, they have to train another year and take the ceremony again, calling themselves a Hana for that time period -- someone who has only earned the first half of the name by biology, but has to earn the 2nd half of the name by courage and strength.
Females on the other hand face a seriously different way of being raised -- they are not trained in fighting specifically, but often find themselves being trained in traditional things such as; traditional dancing, dancing with fans, calligraphy, playing instruments, tea-making and serving and other such traditionally feminine tasks. However -- you will always find there is a certain martial undertone to these. The dances seem to be focussed on footwork and subtlety, the fans are often the weapon of choice for female Hanamoto shinobi, the calligraphy is used to teach carefulness in movements, the instruments for focus on timing, the tea-making and serving to teach about several different herbs used for poison and antidotes.
As such, many of the female shinobi often use fans as their weapons, have an intricate knowledge of poisons and antidotes and will find themselves to be careful warriors in close combat, often opting for more elegant styles of martial prowess such as the Hyuga 'gentle fist' style has shown -- except for the knowledge of Tenketsu. They simply mimick the subtle, gentle movements.
They need not take any ceremony and can call themselves a Hanamoto as they please -- they are simply judged on their skills in the classes they take, by their tutors whom are often older female Hanamoto's. The females often form a life-long bond with their tutors and will come to them for advice and the likes.
Just like the chakra natures -- the appearances of the Hanamoto females are also inversed. They have dark, black hair and will always have the characteristical very light-blue eyes, an elegant figure with womanly curves. They often tread in the shadows, as they are naturally more shy and focussed than their male counter parts, but in discussion with males from their clans this changes as they see themselves as equals -- they're a clan and should act as such.
Due to the long history of the clan and the assimilation of outsiders into the clan, marrying a Hanamoto that isn't directly related to you is perfectly accepted and very common, as long as you make sure to check the histories of the families. This is done partly to preserve the Hanamoto genes, and partly to ensure that the family stays clean of outsiders looking to simply uplift themselves by marrying into this relatively powerful family.
