Board Thread:Theories & Speculation/@comment-1512913-20141028151348/@comment-945885-20141030083854

Hiyayaka-kun wrote: If anything, I'd rather have a clearer explaination of what is and is not a bloodline limit. I mean, I've never seen a non Nara use shadow techs, or a non Yamanaka use straight up telepathy, so why aren't those "family" techniques "bloodline"? Just seems goofy that it seems to be mostly related to elemental mumbo jumbo. Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limits) are passed down genetically through bloodlines. Put simply, these are techniques that can only be used by someone with a specific genetic mutation.

Hiden (Secret Traditions) are passed down orally from generation to generation within a clan or region. They're also sometimes called Hijutsu (Secret Techniques). They can be used by anyone who learns the inner workings of the technique, but clans keep them secret so that they can have an edge of their own in battle.