"I created Kyoshi Island so my people could be safe from invaders." — Avatar Kyoshi to the people of Chin Village.[1]

虛子島 Kyoshi Island
Physical information
Location South Sea
Government
Position Small island
Leader Governor Numerous village chiefs
First appearance "The Warriors of Kyoshi"
Location on map
Image gallery (7)

Kyoshi Island is located in the South Sea off the southern coast of the Earth Kingdom, and dotted with many small villages. Predominantly a fishing port, this small island is a popular destination among traders and travelers.^[2] It is well known as the birthplace of Avatar Kyoshi and the residence of the elite Kyoshi Warriors, an all-female fighting outfit. As a result, every village on the island hosts a statue of its revered Avatar, and one of the villages has converted a temple into a shrine dedicated to her.^[3] The island is characterized by its seclusion and temperate climate.

Contents 1 History 2 Government 3 Culture 3.1 Customs 3.2 Foods 3.3 Cultural festivals 4 Fauna 5 Notable figures 6 Trivia 7 References 8 See also 9 Comments

History Edit

During the time of Avatar Kyoshi, a warlord known as Chin the Great conquered the entire Earth Kingdom with his armies, Ba Sing Se and Kyoshi's home peninsula being the sole exceptions. When the warlord marched his armies down to the neck of the peninsula, Avatar Kyoshi avoided a battle and managed to keep her people safe from invasion by using a combination of different bending techniques to separate their peninsula from the mainland and form an island.^[1]

Centuries later, Kyoshi Island managed to stay out of the Hundred Year War until months before its conclusion when Prince Zuko invaded the island in search of the Avatar, Aang. The inhabitants of the island had no intention of inviting unwanted attention, and as a result were often hostile toward outsiders, fearing Fire Nation spies. However, inspired by the Avatar Aang's arrival on the island, the citizens gained new hope and adopted a more welcoming attitude. Additionally, the Kyoshi Warriors left to join the war effort in hopes of making a difference.^[4]

A year later, Kyoshi Island had taken on a more active stance in politics. Upon Mai's request, the Kyoshi Warriors took on the role of becoming body guards for Fire Lord Zuko after several attempts to assassinate him.^[5]

Government Edit

Kyoshi Island hosts minimal subsidiary connection to the Earth Kingdom imperial government. The village visited by Team Avatar was led by Oyaji, who served as a local judge and a sort of overseer to the Kyoshi Warriors, though the group was instructed by Suki.^[3]

Culture Edit

Due to their isolation, the inhabitants of Kyoshi Island have a less refined culture than those of other Earth Kingdom settlements, such as Ba Sing Se, which has a very strict culture. Their homes are made of wood and have steeply pitched thatched roofs to prevent the accumulation of snow. Unlike most other Earth Kingdom locations, the inhabitants of Kyoshi Island wear primarily blue clothing.

Customs Edit

The Kyoshi Warriors are several all-female groups of fighters that are fiercely protective of the island and its people, with the most notable group led by Suki. While each village has its own forms and traditions, their fighting style with metal fans and clothing generally mimic those of Avatar Kyoshi. Their fighting philosophy emulates that of waterbenders, as it is based on the principle of using their opponents' force against them. The female warriors do not take kindly to training outsiders, especially men, in these unique methods.

Foods Edit

Due to their home's isolation, the islanders grow and catch most of their own food. Rice forms the staple of the Kyoshi Island diet, as well as fish; various kinds of sushi are available. In the nearby sea, there are elephant koi, which serve as the island's main source of commerce, and a giant eel known as the unagi. In the market of Suki's village, cucumbers, eggplant, wild nuts, taro root, apples, scallions, and daikon radishes were available.^[3][1]

They also had an assortment of desserts, varying from cakes to iced pastries, indicating the existence of wheat fields and sugar canes.^[3]

Cultural festivals Edit

Kyoshi Day is the most important holiday on the island. This celebration commemorates the day Avatar Kyoshi created the island in defense against Chin the Conqueror. A famous mural of Kyoshi at sunset was painted on the first Kyoshi Day and now resides in a shrine to the Avatar on the island. Kyoshi Day coincides with Avatar Day.^[1]

Fauna Edit

• Elephant koi
• Unagi

Notable figures Edit

• Avatar Kyoshi
• Chief Oyaji
• Foaming mouth guy
• Koko
• Koko (Kyoshi's daughter)
• Kyoshi Warriors
• Suki

Trivia Edit

• Kyoshi Island is largely reminiscent of Japan, as it is part of an archipelago separated from the larger main continent. The warriors also wear armor similar to ancient Japanese armor, along with face paint similar to the face paint used in Japanese Kabuki. Furthermore, their food is based on traditional Japanese cuisine, they have Japanese-sounding names such as Suki and Oyaji, and use Japanese terms like kimono.
• The residents of Kyoshi Island wear blue clothing, instead of the traditional green worn by most Earth Kingdom citizens.
• Kyoshi Island is the first of two known landmasses which were created through man-made means, as Kyoshi forcibly separated it from the mainland using her bending skills. The second is Air Temple Island.
• Each village on Kyoshi Island has a leader and a band of female Kyoshi Warriors, both of whom serve and protect their citizens.^[2]

References Edit

See also Edit

• Kyoshi Shrine
• Avatar Kyoshi

Start a Discussion Discussions about Kyoshi Island

You can find discussions about everything related to this wiki on Avatar Wiki Forum!