How does the substitution jutsu work?


Almost every character in the Naruto series, from minor character to boss
level character, uses this jutsu (Kawarimi no Jutsu).

Ever since I started watching the series, I wanted to know how this technique
works. It may look like a Ninjutsu 101 technique in the early parts of the
series, but in many of the serious fights later in the series, it seems to
fool even the opponents who are well-versed in combat. Is this jutsu based on
any real life technique?




According to [this](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Body_Replacement_Technique),
it is indeed based on a real-life technique:

> This technique is based on a real-life ninja art, kawarimi. It was an
> ancient ninja art revolving around misdirection and the split-second timing
> of a switch between a 'body' and a location, or between two or more bodies:
> A technique utilized by ninja in ancient Japan, involving the ninja and
> anything that can be mistaken for them, (such as a dummy or a mannequin).

As you mention, it is used by all levels of characters, because it is one of
the basic techniques being taught in the Academy.

Now, for the "it seems to fool even the opponents who are well versed in
combat" part. This is also similar to the real word. For example, all boxers
use pretty much the same punches, yet some of them are much better than
others, meaning they also use those punches better (stronger, faster, etc).

That is why a technique performed by a stronger shinobi would also have a
stronger effect, so if the opponents are close in power, they can still use
this jutsu to distract each other.




According to [this](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Body_Replacement_Technique),
it is indeed based on a real-life technique:

> This technique is based on a real-life ninja art, kawarimi. It was an
> ancient ninja art revolving around misdirection and the split-second timing
> of a switch between a 'body' and a location, or between two or more bodies:
> A technique utilized by ninja in ancient Japan, involving the ninja and
> anything that can be mistaken for them, (such as a dummy or a mannequin).

As you mention, it is used by all levels of characters, because it is one of
the basic techniques being taught in the Academy.

Now, for the "it seems to fool even the opponents who are well versed in
combat" part. This is also similar to the real word. For example, all boxers
use pretty much the same punches, yet some of them are much better than
others, meaning they also use those punches better (stronger, faster, etc).

That is why a technique performed by a stronger shinobi would also have a
stronger effect, so if the opponents are close in power, they can still use
this jutsu to distract each other.

