Tsuchi no Kuni, or “the Land of Earth”, is one of the five great countries in the Sagaverse. The Land of Earth is primarily governed by a Daimyō, although the geography leaves settlements few and far between, and are largely left to govern themselves. The Land of Earth hosts one of the great shinobi villages of the world, Iwagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Rock Village”. The residents of the Land of Earth are appropriately oriented toward the element of earth.

The Land of Earth is known to be a largely barren mountain range that hosts a myriad of different styles. Most typically, the Land of Earth is a large mesa with massive flat-topped mountains, although distant mountains in the north, west, and southwest are taller alpine-peaked mountains sometimes covered in snow.

The land area of the entirety of Tsuchi no Kuni is approximately 2.211.903 km². In terms of contiguous land area, the Land of Wind is the second largest, ahead of the Land of Fire and behind the Land of Earth.

The Land of Earth shares a eastern border with the Land of Waterfalls. It shares a southeastern border with the Lands of Grass and Rain, and a southern border with the Lands of Claw and Fang. To the west, the Land of Wind shares borders with the Lands of Mountain and Bear. In the north, the Land of Earth shares a bay with the Land of Snow.

The Land of Earth consists of three main biomes; semi-arid desert, dry steppe, and alpine mountain. Nearly the entirety of the country is mountain, with grassland sparse and farmland almost entirely nonexistent, sans small patches to the east, where the Land of Waterfalls has allowed fertile soil to thrive.

The majority of the Land of Earth’s climate is warm-summer continental, warm semi-arid, and hot semi-arid, whilst the taller mountains have a cold desert or even subarctic climate. Some of the flatter steppes to the south experience a hot semi-arid climate.

Iwagakure no Sato, also known as the “Hidden Rock Village”, is a shinobi village located just west of the Tsuchi no Kuni eastern central border. Iwagakure rests in a basin surrounded by tall mountains, and is partially carved into the mountains themselves, deep within the vast ranges of the Land of Earth.

Iwagakure is exactly four kilometers in diameter, spanning a full eight kilometers from one edge to the other. Buildings are primarily built from stone, dyed clay, brick, or imported wood. Tall mountains surround the village on all sides, with countless waterfalls draining down into several rivers that run throughout the village.

Population: 3.4 Million
Military Demographic

Active: 476k career (Approx. 14% of total population)
Reserve: 125k (includes non-shinobi)
Shinobi: 61k

Shinobi Demographic Breakdown

Genin: 26,000
Chūnin: 16,500
Special Jōnin: 15,000
Jōnin: 4,300

Economy: Fair, stagnated

Iwagakure has a rocky economy that experiences dips in productivity, but remains relatively stable without falling into recession. The majority of their economy stems from their exports of raw material and processed metal. Of all the countries, they are the leading supplier of both base and precious metals, in which they supply over 50% of all of the world’s metal. Their lacking infrastructure throughout the country has made it difficult for easy and safe transport, making convoys and trade routes rife with banditry.

Iwagakure imports very little manufactured goods out of necessity, and mostly only for comfort, as a result of their large number of manufacturers. Their largest imports are typically agriculture based, ranging anywhere from food to cotton. The Land of Earth engages in regular trade with the Lands of Fire and Water.

Personal transportation in Tsuchi no Kuni is dominated by foot traffic, although the country’s infrastructure is lacking as a result of their large mountain ranges that make foot travel difficult. In addition to foot traffic, the roads that wind throughout the mountains are rife with banditry, which make material transportation such as goods for trade quite risky.

Power for appliances and communications is accomplished through clay pot batteries that are easily attainable and replaceable. These batteries power everything from simple electronics like household lights and appliances to long range telecommunication.

The people of the Land of Earth are a stubborn and hardy people. They value hard work, and have not been receptive to foreign culture because of their natural suspicion to outsiders outside of trade. This has resulted in the Land of Earth having a largely unique culture from the other countries, as it seldom leaves their Lands and they rarely appropriate aspects of other cultures.

Despite a history of warfare, the typical Iwagakure citizen and Tsuchi no Kuni resident thinks poorly of war and conflict, and would rather see peace. Yet due to strong nationalism and pride, they are still willing to fight for their country and village.

Iwagakure was founded after the Warring States Period by the First Tsuchikage, who united several warring clans together under one banner. Shortly after the formation of their villages, Konoha's First Hokage sold tailed beasts to Iwa as a sign of friendship and to ensure a balance of power amongst their new villages. Despite this bid for peace, Madara Uchiha made efforts unsanctioned by the Hokage or the rest of Konoha to make Iwa subservient to Konoha. Relations between the villages would eventually break down, starting with Iwagakure's relative proximity with the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, which lead to countless conflicts over the years. The Second Tsuchikage and the Second Mizukage met in battle and killed each other, damaging relations with Kirigakure. The Second Shinobi World War lead to Iwagakure fighting Konohagakure and Sunagakure across Amegakure, and the Third Shinobi World War pitting Iwagakure against Konohagakure again across Kusagakure. Following the defeat of 1,000 Iwagakure shinobi in a single battle at the hands of Konoha's Fourth Hokage, the third Tsuchikage was prompted to surrender.

Even during times of peace, Iwa and its Tsuchikage have worked behind the scenes against its fellow villages, such as by using mercenaries like Akatsuki to carry out missions the village could not be directly involved in or that it lacked the resources for. Deidara, pupil of the Third Tsuchikage, stole a forbidden technique to further his artistic pursuits, and defected after using his new art to leave the village structures in shambles, becoming a terrorist bomber for hire before his forced recruitment into Akatsuki. Iwa betrayed Kiri during an incident that would come to be known as the Tragedy of Yosuga Pass; while on a joint mission against Kumo, Iwa forces killed most of its Kiri allies in order to take all the mission's spoils for itself.

Like many villages, Iwagakure eventually began sealing its tailed beasts into jinchūriki; the most recent jinchūriki of its Four-Tails was Rōshi and the most recent jinchūriki of its Five-Tails was Han. Since the Second Tsuchikage's era, they actively took part in acquiring other tailed beasts. Iwa did not hold its jinchūriki, after Han, in high regard and gratitude to Akatsuki, was happy to be captured and rid of the beast. The Third Tsuchikage's words during a Kage Summit suggest that this is not entirely true, as he calls Akatsuki's capture of both its jinchūriki an embarrassment.

Iwagakure joins the Allied Shinobi Forces during the Fourth Shinobi World War in order to oppose Akatsuki. Although initially planning to continue undermining the other villages as it has for years, conversation with the Fifth Kazekage convinces the Third Tsuchikage that Iwa has lost its way. As such, the Third advocates cooperation with the other villages and becomes personally involved in several battles in order to set an example. He even apologises to the other villages for previous actions against them that he has sanctioned. The war is eventually won and the Third's efforts become successful, as by the era of the Fourth Tsuchikage all five Kage are on good terms.

In the years that followed, however, peace would not persist within the Land of Earth. Their proximity with the Land of Wind lead to numerous conflicts after the Sixth Tsuchikage’s rule. Countless battles were fought between the two countries, typically occurring either in the Land of Claw or the Land of Fang, both of which are in poor standing with the Land of Earth as a result. This poor standing has actually lead the Land of Fang and the Land of Claw to employ the use of mercenary groups to harm Iwagakure’s trade, a practice that is long since disbanded although the remnants of banditry persist as a result.

Along with conflict between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, Iwagakure has also contested their dominance regarding metal trade with Kumogakure. Iwagakure and Kumogakure warred for nearly fifty years, in a constant state of destroying one another’s shipments of metal and ore. This conflict spanned four different Tsuchikage and one Raikage before the two eventually came to a cease fire when the Ninth Tsuchikage and the Sixth Raikage met and discussed terms of a treaty. Although the two villages put an end to the war, the hostility between them has persisted for generations since.

Although still present, crime in the form of banditry and the like has been on a harsh decline as a result of the efforts of the Sixteenth Tsuchikage, Akira Kazako. His crusade against crime was notable in decreasing it, however remnants of past wars persist, namely old mercenary groups from bordering countries.

1. Kamizuru, Ishikawa (First Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
2. Mujin, Mū (Second Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
3. Kamizuru, Ōnoki (Third Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
4. Kamizuru Kanetsu, Kurotsuchi (Fourth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
5. Egawa, Doi (Fifth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
6. Yamaoka, Yoshitaka (Sixth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
7. Kirigaya, Runa (Seventh Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
8. Kamizuru, Gennai (Eighth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
9. Kanetsu, Harunobu (Ninth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
10. Mujin, Kaoru (Tenth Tsuchikage, deceased) {NPC}
11. Dengen (Eleventh Tsuchikage, retired)
12. Nekomotze, Arashi (Twelfth Tsuchikage, KIA)
13. Amida, Tomio (Thirteenth Tsuchikage, KIA)
14. Kanetsu, Kazu (Fourteenth Tsuchikage, location unknown)
15. Gaunyin, Nanashi (Fifteenth Tsuchikage, retired)
16. Kazako, Akira (Sixteenth Tsuchikage, retired)
17. Sekuro, Karumo (Seventeenth Tsuchikage, location unknown)
18. Kazako, Harichimo (Eighteenth Tsuchikage, current)

The Land of Earth is made up of a plethora of settlements throughout the vast mountain ranges. Many of these towns are independent of one another due to the difficulty of travel posed by the thousands of mountains. Despite these towns independence, many of them still rely on Iwagakure to supply shinobi to act in their defense.

Nakatsukawa, conversationally known as “Nakatsu”, is the de jure capital of Iwagakure and home to the Earth Daimyō, located in western Tsuchi no Kuni. Nakatsukawa is the leading provider of the Earth Country’s raw materials, supplying the vast majority of basic and precious metals that are exported to other countries. Many years ago, the town experienced a massive economic boon because of their sale of various metals to Kirigakure, which resulted in a population boost that unexpectedly inflated the economy. As a result, the town is very overpopulated, and the economy has been steadily declining.

Nakatsukawa’s buildings are primarily made out of stone, brick, and clay. Wood is used sparsely throughout, though the majority of said wood is old, aged, and beginning to rot. Many of Nakatsukawa’s buildings are tall to support the large population.

Demographics
Population: 530,000
Population Density: 4,690/km²
Land Area: 113/km²

Economy: Poor, on the decline
Relationship with Iwagakure: Poor

Tatekotan is Tsuchi no Kuni’s third largest town, and largest trading hub because of it’s position on the northeastern sea border. Nearly all of incoming and outgoing trade between Tsuchi no Kuni and other countries occurs in Tatekotan, resulting in the town’s economic boons. Additionally, it is one of the few places that hosts agriculture within Tsuchi no Kuni, although it pales in comparison to more agriculture appropriate geographical locations to the southeast.

Tatekotan’s buildings are largely made from stone and brick, primarily using plaster in place of wood, which is used sparsely. Roofs are typically made from coloured clay tiles, making Tatekotan one of the Earth Country’s more colourful and tourist friendly towns.

Demographics
Population: 255,000
Population Density: 198/km²
Land Area: 1,287/km²

Economy: Excellent, on the incline
Relationship with Iwagakure: Average
Relationship with Nakatsukawa: Average

Iwayāko is a town built upon a large mountain in northern Tsuchi no Kuni. Iwayāko is known for being the largest exporter of the world’s purest gold, which has allowed them to maintain a stable economy for several generations. The buildings that sit on the outside of the mountain are few and far between, however the caves that run for miles throughout the interior of the cave is where the majority of the residents can be found.

Architecture in Iwayāko is varied; on the outside, buildings are primarily made of chiseled stone, brick, or clay, with wood sparsely used and dyed clay primarily used for roofing or decoration. On the interior of Iwayāko, buildings are almost exclusively carved out of the mountain’s stone itself.

Demographics
Population: 40,000
Population Density: 540/km²
Land Area: 74/km²

Economy: Excellent, stagnated
Relationship with Iwagakure: Excellent
Relationship with Nakatsukawa: Poor