Amaterasu (Illuminating Heaven)


 * "The ones reflected in these eyes turn to ash!! A black world-destroying conflagration that scorches all on heaven and earth!!"

Amaterasu is of the highest level Fire Release technique, as well as one of the most powerful Ninjutsu in existence. It is said to represent the "Material World and Light" (物質界と光, Busshitsukai to Hikari), the antipode to Tsukuyomi, a Genjutsu of similar power and a fellow member of Dōjutsu of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Design
The jet-black flames of the Amaterasu, said to be as hot as the sun, ignite whatever the user looks upon. This can be either a specific point or anything in the user's field of vision. It can even smother regular flames easily. Amaterasu is said to burn for seven days and seven nights, and cannot be extinguished with water or any other normal methods. However, the flames burn fairly slowly, allowing anyone struck by Amaterasu an opportunity to remove whatever clothing or body parts have been caught ablaze. Use of the technique also puts a great deal of strain on the user, typically causing their eyes to bleed.

Users
As a jutsu only accessible through the Sharingan (more specifically the Mangekyō Sharingan) only the Uchiha Clan has any hope of utilizing it. However, even among them the jutsu is unknown, since it was originally developed by Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha

 * Main article: Itachi Uchiha

Amaterasu is originally unique to Itachi Uchiha, which he uses with his right Mangekyō Sharingan. He is able to quell the flames to some extent. Prior to his death, Itachi implanted some of the black flames into Sasuke's eye to be used upon Madara Uchiha.

Itachi displayed the significant fire power of Amaterasu, by using it to burn through the fire resistant stomach of a rock toad, when he battled Jiraiya and was trapped inside of his Summoning: Toad Mouth Bind jutsu.

Sasuke Uchiha

 * Main article: Sasuke Uchiha

Sasuke, after gaining his own Mangekyō Sharingan, is later able to use Amaterasu on his own. Sasuke's Amaterasu originates from his left eye, and Shī indicates he is more skilled with it; he can put out the flames with greater ease and can even manipulate the flames themselves as part of the Blaze Release.