Is Naruto’s Name Derived from Food or a Place?

Manga

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the name “Naruto,” the main character of the famous manga series? Let’s dive into the interesting backstory of how Naruto got his name.

In the manga’s storyline, it’s explained that Naruto’s parents named him after the protagonist of a novel by Jiraiya. The author Jiraiya, while eating ramen, decided to name his character Naruto after one of the traditional toppings on the ramen, called “naruto.”

Naruto is a type of kamaboko, which is a processed fish cake. In Japan, kamaboko is a common food. Naruto is distinctive Kamaboko for its white color with a pink spiral design.

But the story doesn’t end there. The spiral design of the naruto has another layer of significance. It is inspired by the natural whirlpools found in the Naruto Strait, located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan.

The region is known for its abundant fish, leading to the production of various fish-based foods, including kamaboko. The swirling whirlpools of the Naruto Strait are mimicked in the design of the naruto fish cake, hence the name.

The name Naruto carries with it a rich and layered history that connects food, culture, and place in a uniquely Japanese way.

Ryu

Hello I am Ryu who is writer of this blog
I work in a global manufacturing company as an IT engineer in Japan.
My favorite thing is introduce strange or amazing points in Japanese culture to foreigners which is not told from official media.
If you want comment from Japanese perspective or have a question on Anime or Manga regarding Japanese culture , feel free to reach out to X( Twitter)!

https://twitter.com/Jpn_popculture

RyuFollow
MangaNARUTO
RyuFollow
Japan Pop Culture Detail
Copied title and URL