Shuriken

Ashuriken(Japanese:Trong tay kiếm,lit. 'hand-hidden blade')is a Japaneseconcealed weaponused bysamuraiorninjaor inmartial artsas a hiddendaggerormetsubushito distract or misdirect.^[1]^[2]

Shuriken are also known asthrowing stars,orninja stars,although they were originally constructed in many different shapes. The major varieties of shuriken are thebō shuriken(Bổng trong tay kiếm,stick shuriken)and thehira shuriken(Ngang tay kiếm,flat shuriken)orshaken(Xe kiếm,wheel shuriken, also read askurumaken).

Shuriken functioned as supplementary weapons to theswordor to other weapons in a samurai's arsenal, although they often had an important tactical effect in battle.^[3]^[4]^[5]^{[better source needed]}The art of wielding the shuriken is known asshurikenjutsu^[5]and was taught as a minor part of the martial-arts curriculum of many famous schools, such asYagyū Shinkage-ryū,Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū,Ittō-ryū,Kukishin-ryū,andTogakure-ryū.^[2]^[6]

^[7]

Bo-shuriken

Abo-shurikenis a throwing weapon consisting of a straight iron or steel spike, usually four-sided but sometimes round or octagonal in section. Some examples have points on both ends. The length ranges from 12 to 21 cm (5–8.5 in) and the average weight from 35 to 150 grams (1.2–5.4 ounces).^[8]They should not be confused with thekunai,which is a thrusting and stabbing implement that is sometimes thrown.

Bo-shurikenwere constructed from a wide variety of everyday items, and as such came in many shapes and sizes. Some derived their names from the materials of which they were made, such askugi-gata(nail form),hari-gata(needle form) andtantō-gata(knife form); some were named after an object of similar appearance, such ashoko-gata(spear form),matsuba-gata(pine-needle form); while others have names that are purely descriptive, such askankyuto(piercing tool form),kunai-gata(utility tool form), orteppan(plate metal) andbiao(pin).^[8]

Thebo-shurikenis thrown in a number of ways, such as overhead, underarm, sideways and rearwards, but in each case the throw involves the blade sliding out of the hand through the fingers in a smooth, controlled flight. The major throwing methods are thejiki da-ho(direct-hit method), and thehan-ten da-ho(turning-hit method). These two are technically different, in that the former does not allow the blade to spin before it hits the target, while the latter requires that the blade spin.

Four antique forged Japanesebo shuriken(iron throwing darts with linen flights)

Other items such as hairpins,kogata(utility knife), and chopsticks were thrown in the same way asbo-shuriken,although they were not associated with any particular school of shurikenjutsu.

The origins of thebo-shurikenin Japan are still unclear, despite continuing research. This is partly because shurikenjutsu was a secret art and also due to the fact that throughout early Japanese history there were many independent exponents of the skill of throwing long, thin objects. The earliest-known reference to a school teaching shurikenjutsu is Ganritsu Ryu, active during the 17th century. This school utilized a long, thin implement with a bulbous head, thought to be derived from the arrow. Surviving examples of blades used by this school appear to combine an arrow's shape with that of a needle traditionally used in Japanese leatherwork and armor manufacture.^[8]

There are earlier mentions in written records,^{[clarification needed]}such as theOsaka Gunki(Osaka quân nhớ,the military records ofOsaka),of the standard knife and short sword being thrown in battle.Miyamoto Musashiis said to have won a duel by throwing his short sword at his opponent, killing him.

Hira shuriken/shaken

Various types of shuriken at theIga-ryū Ninja Museum

Hira-shurikengenerally resemble the popular conception of shuriken. They are constructed from thin, flat plates of metal derived from a variety of sources includinghishi-gane(coins),kugi-nuki(carpentry tools), spools, andsenban(nail removers).

They often have a hole in the center and possess a fairly thin blade sharpened mainly at the tip. The holes derive from their source in items that had holes—old coins, washers, and nail-removing tools. This proved convenient for the shuriken user as the weapons could be strung on a string or dowel in the belt for transport, and the hole also had aerodynamic and weighting effects that aided the flight of the blade.^[8]

There are a wide variety of forms ofhira-shuriken,and they are now usually identified by the number of points the blades possess. As withbo-shuriken,the various shapes ofhira-shurikenwere usually representative of a particular school (ryū) or region that preferred the use of such shapes, and it is therefore possible to identify the school by the type of blade used.^[8]

Usage

Shuriken targets were primarily the more exposed parts of the body: the eyes, face, hands, or feet.^[3]^[7]^{[better source needed]}Shuriken, despite low mass, were capable of dealing lethal blows at short ranges. In some cases, shuriken were capable of partially disemboweling targets.^[9]

Shuriken, especiallyhira-shuriken,were also used in novel ways—they could be embedded in the ground, injuring those who stepped on them (similar to acaltrop), wrapped in afuse to be ignited and thrownto cause fire, or wrapped in a cloth soaked in poison and lit to cover an area with acloud of poisonous smoke.^[10]They could also be used as a handheld weapon in close combat.^[11]^{[better source needed]}

There are reports of shuriken being coated with poison, intended either as a throwing weapon or to be left in a conspicuous place for a victim to pick up.^[12]^[7]^{[better source needed]}Other reports indicate that shuriken may have been buried in dirt or animal feces and allowed to harbor the bacteriumClostridium tetani—if the point penetrated a victim deeply enough, the bacteria transferred into the wound could cause a then-incurabletetanusinfection.^[7]

Shuriken are simple weapons, but their historical value has increased.^[6]^[7]Unlike thekatanaand other bladed weapons, antique shuriken are not often well preserved (although some are blackened in ash to prevent corrosion), largely due to their expendable nature.^[13]

Legality

Modern commercially available shuriken, which are sold inEuropeandNorth America,are often made ofstainless steel.However, in many countries and jurisdictions, they are illegal to possess or carry, such as inBelgium,theNetherlands,Canada,^[14]Germany,^[15]and theUnited Kingdom(manufacture, sale, distribution and import).^[16]In the United States, they are prohibited in some states such asCalifornia,^[17]andNew York.^[18]In some cases they may be allowed, but may still be subject to specific local legislation. Owners may be required to possess a certificate for possession.

References

^Fletcher, Daniel (21 August 2012).Japanese Throwing Weapons: Mastering Shuriken Throwing Techniques (Downloadable Media Included).Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-1-4629-0985-8.
^^a ^bMol, Serge (2003).Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts.Kodansha International.ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6.
^^a ^bMalmstrom, Bud (1984). "How To Make a Throwing Star".Black Belt.22(10). Active Interest Media: 61–64.
^Gruzanski, Charles (17 January 2012).Ninja Weapons: Chain and Shuriken.Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-1-4629-0322-1.
^^a ^bToda, Katsumi (1984).The Ninja Star: Art of Shuriken Jutsu.Dragon Books.ISBN 978-0-946062-10-2.
^^a ^b Musashi, Miyamoto; Seiko, Fujita (September 2020).Miyamoto Musashi & Shuriken.Eric Michael Shahan.ISBN 978-1-950959-29-7.
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eSeiko, Fujita (July 2020).Shuriken.Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US.ISBN 978-1-950959-22-8.
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eMol, Serge (2003).Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts.Tokyo: Kodansha International. pp. 159–160.ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6.
^Kettner, M.; Gade, G.; Ramsthaler, F.; Shah, S.; Pape, A.; Theisen, A.; Schmidt, P. (2010)."Experimental studies on the wounding capacity of recently developed shuriken/Throwing stars and their legal categorization--an interdisciplinary view".Archiv für Kriminologie.225(5–6): 167–180.PMID 20642255.
^Draeger, Donn F. (2008).Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility.Tokyo: Tuttle martial arts. pp. 72–73.ISBN 978-0-8048-3937-2.
^Adams, Andy (1985). "The Battle for Ninja Supremacy".Black Belt.23(12). Active Interest Media: 21–24.
^Steele, David (1981). "Japanese Daggers".Black Belt.19(2). Black Belt, Inc.: 55–60.
^Gruzanski, Charles V. (1991).Ninja Weapons: Chain and Shuriken.Tokyo: Tuttle martial arts. pp. 91–92.ISBN 978-0-8048-1705-9.
^"Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted, SOR/98-462".canlii.org.
^"Point 1.3.3".gesetze-im-internet.de.17 May 2022.
^"Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,SI 1988/2019
^"California Penal Code Section 22410".leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
^"New York Penal Law".law.onecle.§ 265.01 – Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree

Literature

Nawa, Yumio (1962)Kakushi Buki Soran(An Overview of Hidden Weapons)
Seiko Fujita(June 1964)Zukai Shurikenjutsu/ đồ giải tay kiếm thuật(An Overview of Shuriken-jutsu)
Finn, Michael (1983)Art of Shuriken Jutsu
Hammond, Billy (1985)Shuriken jutsu: The Japanese Art of Projectile ThrowingA.E.L.S
Shirakami, Eizo (1985)Shurikendo: My Study of the Way of Shuriken
Iwai, Kohaku (1999)Hibuki no Subete ga Wakaru Hon(Hidden Weapons) BAB, Japan
Kono, Yoshinori (1996)Toru Shirai: Founder of Tenshin Shirai RyuinAikido Journal#108
Saito, Satoshi in Skoss, Diane ed. (1999)Sword & Spirit: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan Vol. 2Koryu Books
Mol, Serge (2003).Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts.Kodansha. pp. 1–217.ISBN 4-7700-2941-1.

External links

Media related toShurikenat Wikimedia Commons

[1] Fletcher, Daniel (21 August 2012).Japanese Throwing Weapons: Mastering Shuriken Throwing Techniques (Downloadable Media Included).Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-1-4629-0985-8.

[:0-2] Mol, Serge (2003).Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts.Kodansha International.ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6.

[bmbb-3] Malmstrom, Bud (1984). "How To Make a Throwing Star".Black Belt.22(10). Active Interest Media: 61–64.

[4] Gruzanski, Charles (17 January 2012).Ninja Weapons: Chain and Shuriken.Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-1-4629-0322-1.

[:3-5] Toda, Katsumi (1984).The Ninja Star: Art of Shuriken Jutsu.Dragon Books.ISBN 978-0-946062-10-2.

[:1-6] Musashi, Miyamoto; Seiko, Fujita (September 2020).Miyamoto Musashi & Shuriken.Eric Michael Shahan.ISBN 978-1-950959-29-7.

[:2-7] Seiko, Fujita (July 2020).Shuriken.Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US.ISBN 978-1-950959-22-8.

[mol-8] Mol, Serge (2003).Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts.Tokyo: Kodansha International. pp. 159–160.ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6.

[9] Kettner, M.; Gade, G.; Ramsthaler, F.; Shah, S.; Pape, A.; Theisen, A.; Schmidt, P. (2010)."Experimental studies on the wounding capacity of recently developed shuriken/Throwing stars and their legal categorization--an interdisciplinary view".Archiv für Kriminologie.225(5–6): 167–180.PMID 20642255.

[DD-10] Draeger, Donn F. (2008).Ninjutsu: The Art of Invisibility.Tokyo: Tuttle martial arts. pp. 72–73.ISBN 978-0-8048-3937-2.

[aabb-11] Adams, Andy (1985). "The Battle for Ninja Supremacy".Black Belt.23(12). Active Interest Media: 21–24.

[12] Steele, David (1981). "Japanese Daggers".Black Belt.19(2). Black Belt, Inc.: 55–60.

[cvg-13] Gruzanski, Charles V. (1991).Ninja Weapons: Chain and Shuriken.Tokyo: Tuttle martial arts. pp. 91–92.ISBN 978-0-8048-1705-9.

[14] "Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted, SOR/98-462".canlii.org.

[15] "Point 1.3.3".gesetze-im-internet.de.17 May 2022.

[16] "Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,SI 1988/2019

[17] "California Penal Code Section 22410".leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

[18] "New York Penal Law".law.onecle.§ 265.01 – Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree

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