The word Shuriken (刺刀) has two meanings. It means both “dart” and “hidden blade”. They are usually sharpened hand-held blades, meant to be flung with a shruikenshooter. You can use them as an effective weapon or a distraction in your ninja training adventures! This is not just any random knife. It’s a type of knife traditionally used in ninjutsu, the art of espionage and assassination practiced by those known as ninjas.
The term Shuriken refers to both the actual weapon and the entire category of weapons. Some of the most common types include the Bo Shuriken, or throwing star; the Tanto Shuriken, a long blade that looks somewhat like a dagger or stiletto; Rikka, a kind of blade folded; and Tessen, a two-pronged blade shaped like two open claws.
This name comes from Japanese words meaning “hand-hidden blade.” In Japanese culture, these weapons are considered tools for throwing at practice targets only. Rowing actual ninja stars is generally prohibited if you’re not an authorized ninja or not training to be a ninja.
Types of Shuriken:
The wide range of shuriken types can be broken down into three main categories: throwing weapons, fighting weapons, and throwing stars. All of these different types have their own uses, depending on the user’s skill level and purpose. They are like ninjas’ best friends.
They’re small yet highly effective tools that can be used in a number of ways with many different types. There’s no need to worry about intricate tactical plans or complex motion rituals when you have these lethal pieces of metal at your disposal! The wide variety allows for lots of possibilities in terms of shape, size, essential use, intended target area, and trajectory. Here are some amazing types to explore:
1. Yoroi Shuriken
The yoroi is a large, heavy straight-bladed throwing star that was used primarily in warfare. This type of throwing star was mainly used for strategic purposes and not directly for attacking targets.
2. Shichigosai
The shichigosai is a circular or squared-shaped shuriken that was typically mounted on the end of a pole or handle to throw from a distance. This was supposedly the first type of shuriken to be developed by ninjas and they were known to be quite superior, as they could be thrown far and flat which made them much more accurate than the other types at that time which were all curved blades.
3. Chobi
The chobi is a small and round-throwing star that was used for close combat situations. There were two main variations of the chobi, one being shorter and the other being longer. It is not known exactly when these types were created, but their counterparts in the West used to be named “knuckle stars” as they are quite similar to knuckle duster-style gun pistols.
4. Naginata
The naginata is a pole-arm weapon used by samurai warriors in Japan during the middle ages and into modern times. It is a long-handled blade with a curved blade at the end. The naginata can also be used as a throwing weapon to hit targets from a distance. Its main purpose, though, is to stab and slash targets in close combat situations.
5. Bo Shuriken
It is a short, curved blade on one side of the head. Originating in feudal Japan, the bo shuriken was used as a throwing weapon by samurai and ninjas. It could be concealed in between the joints at the edge of giant war fans or inside an arrow quiver and launched from between long sleeves. With roots that emerged more than two thousand years ago in China and ancient Greece, this is another weapon that had a profound impact on martial arts like ninjutsu and karate.
Uses of Shuriken:
The shuriken (throwing star), also known as chakram, is a Japanese novelty that has been adapted for modern use in the United States. This was used mainly for throwing at an enemy in close encounters when the user cannot throw or wield a sword or knife. The size and weight of a single piece dictate its function; larger ones are more accurate because they can fly long distances before landing, while smaller ones are thrown more often and have more of an impact on contact.
These weapons can be metal or wooden, but should not be confused with the metal stars featured in children’s toys. One of the most common uses is to hit a target when trying to escape after committing a crime or assassination. Historical accounts indicate that people of all ages and classes used them.
When an intruder attempts to enter a home, all weapons are removed so that the user can only defend against two methods, either with fists or with feet. Sometimes, however, they were used in self-defense while carrying out an assassination or crime. The target may have recognized the thrown weapon as a threat and dodged it rather than taking the pain of having it pierce his abdomen or neck.
