Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Senju (千手) |
| Affiliation | Konohagakure, following its founding 521 |
| Occupation/Role | Ninja clan; one of the two strongest clans of the Warring States Period 244 |
| Status | Nearly extinct after a later wartime defeat 960 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 2 |
History
Warring States Period
The Senju were longstanding rivals of the Uchiha. Their wars repeatedly stopped and resumed; during one conflict involving the Hyuga, the three clans remained deadlocked for two years 3 90. Under clan head Senju Butsuma, the Senju could mobilize their full fighting force to withstand successive Uchiha offensives 3.
Butsuma's death left the clan struggling against a Kaguya assault. His son Hashirama returned, rallied the Senju and succeeded him as clan head 206 207 214. The Senju later fought another major war with the Uchiha, fielding nearly three thousand ninja at Fengling River under Senju Rajin 323. By then, Butsuma and Senju Unjin had fallen; Rajin was the last surviving Kage-level expert of their generation 323.
Founding of Konoha
Hashirama pursued an alliance with the Uchiha despite the clans' longstanding grievances. Their fighters began cooperating, finding that the Senju's broad range of ninjutsu complemented the Uchiha's Sharingan 214 493. The clans helped found Konoha, and Hashirama was elected its First Hokage 521 535.
Decline
After Hashirama's death, Tobirama sought to integrate most Senju branches into Konoha, retaining only a core branch. The clan still held influence, but its strength and succession had weakened; Hashirama's son Hushen became clan head after Tobirama's death 844. During the Third Shinobi World War, the clan committed its three remaining Kage-level experts to the Land of Rivers front 929. A later defeat left the Senju nearly extinct 960.
Abilities & Organization
Ninjutsu and taijutsu
- Senju ninja can possess a wide range of elemental affinities. This made a varied ninjutsu repertoire important to the clan; Senju Unjin primarily used Water Style, while Rajin favored Wind Style 145 472.
- The clan emphasized taijutsu and ninjutsu because awakenings of its Wood Style bloodline were exceptionally rare 305.
- Its battlefield forces included experienced ninja who used elemental techniques, fortifications and coordinated attacks 155 325.
- The clan maintained a covert force known as the Hidden Ninja 89.
Wood Style
- Wood Style is identified in Senju records as a powerful Kekkei Genkai, but generations could pass without an awakener 305.
- Hashirama awakened Wood Style and used it to create forests, bind opponents and drain chakra through vines 170 304 685.
- Hashirama's Wood Style was not representative of every Senju ninja. Other people later gained the ability to use it, including missing Senju who reappeared using Wood Style under mysterious circumstances 696.
Relationships
- Uchiha Clan — hereditary rivals whose repeated wars eventually gave way to cooperation in founding Konoha 90 493 521.
- Uzumaki Clan — distant relatives and longstanding allies 206.
- Hyuga Clan — fought alongside the Senju against the Uchiha during an early three-clan conflict 2 3.
- Kaguya Clan — attacked the Senju after Butsuma's death; Hashirama rallied the clan's defense 206 207.