What is Shuriken
A shuriken (手裏剣) is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon, often referred to as a "throwing star" or "ninja star." It was primarily used by ninja and samurai as a supplementary weapon for distraction, surprise attacks, or minor injuries. It was an essential tool in the arsenal of ninja (shinobi) and samurai, used for distraction, self-defense, or assassination attempts. Despite their depiction in movies and anime as deadly projectiles, historical records suggest that shuriken were more often used tactically rather than lethally.
The word shuriken (手裏剣) originates from the Japanese language and can be broken down into three kanji characters: 手 (shu), meaning "hand"; 裏 (ri), meaning "hidden" or "concealed"; and 剣 (ken), which translates to "blade" or "sword." Taken together, the term shuriken can be understood as "a hidden blade in the hand", emphasizing both its concealed nature and its role as a discreet weapon used by samurai and ninja.
The art of using the shuriken is called shurikenjutsu (手裏剣術), which translates to "the art of handling shuriken." It is a martial discipline that falls under bujutsu (the traditional combat arts of the samurai) and was practiced by both ninja (shinobi) and certain samurai schools.
What is Shurikenjutsu?
Shurikenjutsu was not a standalone martial art but was instead incorporated into the training systems of samurai and ninja. It was primarily used to distract an enemy, create an opening for attack, or slow down a pursuer, rather than as a direct killing weapon.
The effectiveness of shurikenjutsu depended on precision, speed, and strategy. Skilled practitioners could throw shuriken in various ways—overhand, underhand, or sidearm—to ensure accuracy and impact. Some warriors also dipped their shuriken in poison to maximize their effectiveness.
Various ryu (martial arts schools) developed their own styles of shurikenjutsu, with different types of shuriken and throwing techniques. Some of the most well-known schools that taught this discipline include Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, Togakure Ryu, and Kashima Shinryu. Today, shurikenjutsu is still practiced in koryu (traditional Japanese martial arts schools) and remains an important aspect of ninjutsu training.
Shuriken Usage
Contrary to popular belief, shuriken were not primarily designed for lethal attacks. Instead, they served a variety of tactical purposes, including distraction, injury, psychological warfare, and utility functions.
1. Distraction and Diversion
One of the most common uses of shuriken was to force an opponent to react, creating an opening for a secondary attack or escape. If an enemy had to dodge or block a flying shuriken, even for a split second, it provided a critical moment for the ninja to strike or flee.
2. Wounding and Disabling Opponents
Shuriken were not designed for instant kills but rather for inflicting pain, disabling movement, or causing bleeding wounds. Warriors aimed for exposed areas such as the face, hands, legs, or joints, where a cut or embedded shuriken could weaken or slow down an opponent.
3. Psychological Warfare
Shuriken were sometimes thrown not to hit the enemy directly, but to intimidate them, create confusion, or signal danger. Seeing a shuriken embedded in a wall or tree could make an enemy feel uneasy, hesitant, or even paranoid, thinking they were being watched or hunted.
4. Poisoned or Fire Shuriken
To increase their effectiveness, some ninja and samurai dipped their shuriken in poison before throwing them. Even a small cut could lead to infection, slow poisoning, or incapacitation over time.
Additionally, fire shuriken were sometimes wrapped in oil-soaked cloth and ignited before being thrown at wooden structures, causing fire-based distractions or destruction.
All Types of Shuriken
Bō Shuriken (棒手裏剣) – The Spike-Type Shuriken
Bō shuriken were long, straight, and needle-like, often resembling small daggers or thick iron nails. Unlike the popular star-shaped throwing weapons seen in movies, bō shuriken were thrown in a way similar to darts, spears, or small javelins. These shuriken were typically crafted from iron or steel and could have varying tip designs, such as pointed, chisel-edged, or multi-faceted tips.
One of the key advantages of bō shuriken was their aerodynamic design, which allowed them to be thrown over longer distances with greater accuracy. Because of their shape, they were also more effective in piercing soft armor, flesh, or exposed areas of an enemy's body, making them useful for disabling or wounding rather than outright killing.
Hira Shuriken (平手裏剣) – The Star-Shaped Throwing Weapons
Hira shuriken, often referred to as "throwing stars," were flat, disc-like weapons with multiple sharp edges. These shuriken were made of iron or steel and were designed to be thrown with a spinning motion. The multiple edges increased the likelihood of striking a target, making them ideal for situations where precision was less important than disruption.
Hira shuriken were not only used for direct attacks but also served a psychological function. By embedding them in walls, trees, or even the ground near an enemy, warriors could create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Specialized and Unusual Shuriken
Beyond the standard bō and hira shuriken, several specialized shuriken designs were developed for specific combat situations. These unique variations often had distinct advantages that made them more effective in certain environments or against particular types of enemies.
One example is the senban shuriken, a four-sided, square-shaped throwing weapon with sharpened edges. Unlike standard hira shuriken, which relied on pointed edges, the senban shuriken had a solid, angular structure that allowed it to pierce deeper into materials.
Another distinctive type was the happō shuriken, an eight-pointed throwing star that maximized the chances of hitting a target from any angle. Its design made it especially useful for rapid throwing techniques.
Some ninja clans developed even more covert variations of the shuriken, such as the fukumibari, consisting of small needle-like shuriken that could be blown through a bamboo tube for stealth-based attacks.
