Amaterasu

Amaterasu is the highest level Fire Release technique, and according to Zetsu one of the most powerful ninjutsu in existence. It is said to represent the, the antipode to Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu of similar power and a fellow Mangekyō Sharingan dōjutsu.

The jet-black flames of the Amaterasu, said to be the fires from hell that are as hot as the sun, ignite at the focus of the user's vision. Though boasting unavoidably, Amaterasu has been avoided a few times over the manga; Sasuke Uchiha managed to outrun the flames Itachi tried focusing on him, and A using his Lightning Release Armor avoided a point-blank Amaterasu launched at him from Sasuke. Its even been blocked by Gaara's sand a few times. The flames are capable of burning through anything in their path, even smothering regular fire techniques with ease. 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, usually causing their eyes to bleed. The only thing the the flames have failed to burn into is Gaara's chakra infused sand.

Amaterasu was originally unique to Itachi Uchiha, who used it with his right Mangekyō Sharingan. He was 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. 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 C indicates he is more skilled with it than Itachi; he can put out the flames with greater ease and can even manipulate the flames themselves as part of the "Blaze" element.

Influence
As from the ancient Japanese myth and religion of Shintoism Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo are all gods. When Izanagi washed his face after escaping the underworld his left eye became the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu.