Shurikenjutsu
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Shuriken-jutsu (手裏剣術) is a general term describing the traditional Japanese martial arts of throwing shuriken, which are small, hand-held weapons such as metal spikes (bo shuriken), circular plates of metal known as hira shuriken, and knives (tanto). Shuriken-jutsu was usually taught among the sogo-bugei, or comprehensive martial arts systems of Japan, as a supplemental art to those more commonly practiced such as kenjutsu, sojutsu, bojutsu and kumi-uchi (battlefield grappling) or jujutsu, and is much less prevalent today than it was in the feudal era.
The origins of shuriken-jutsu are somewhat unclear, as there is a lack of reliable documentation regarding the art's history when compared to other arts, however there are various oral traditions peculiar to each school (Ryu), that describe how their art developed and came to be used within their system. The art possesses many originators and innovators who discovered and developed their own various methods of adapting everyday objects into throwing weapons, hence the wide variety of both schools, and blades. Furthermore, the art itself is typically quite secretive, as shuriken-jutsu gains its tactical advantage by using stealth and surprise. Shuriken are small and easily concealed, yet they have the versatility of being used a stabbing weapon at close range, as well as a longer range thrown weapon, although they are mainly used as a scare tactic since accurately throwing them was difficult.
Despite the fact that shuriken-jutsu often played a lesser role to the sword in a warrior's life, the art was nevertheless considered deadly, and shuriken-jutsu was banned by the Bakufu during the reign of Emperor Kansei (1709 - 1801). This may account for the prevalence of many types of shuriken blades, particularly those associated with the Ninja arts, being fashioned from normal, everyday objects such as needles, nails, coins, construction items and even religious artifacts, into weapons that can be potentially deadly in the hands of a skilled or trained practitioner.
Shuriken consist of two basic designs;
Bo-shuriken - straight metal spikes, usually 4-sided but sometimes round or octagonal. They were normally single-pointed but variations exist that are double pointed. The average length was 16 cm and the average weight was around 50 grams. The Bo shuriken is thrown by holding it in the palm with the shaft resting between the first and second fingers, and snapping the wrist forward as one cuts the arm downwards towards the target.
Hira-shuriken -(commonly referred to as "ninja stars" in Western culture) flat, wheel-shaped plates of metal, with sharpened points and/or edges. Usually 2 mm thick or less, about 11 cm wide, with a variety of tips ranging between 4-8. The hira-shuriken can be thrown either from overhead as with bo-shuriken, or horizontally with a quick wrist-snap outwards to the target.
Until recent times, there was no real distinction in the usage of bo-shuriken and hira-shuriken between the Samurai arts and the Ninja schools. During feudal times, warriors, or bugeisha learned martial arts and sought to gain employment based on their skill, whether it be the more socially accepted path of the Samurai, or in the realms of espionage and covert warfare. Shuriken-jutsu taught the warrior the art of throwing bladed weapons skillfully, a skill which once learned, could be used and adapted to throwing any sort of item that could be used as a weapon.
With the abolition of swords during the Meiji period, shuriken-jutsu saw a major decline, along with many classical martial arts, and almost died out after the turn of the 20th century as Japan sought to become modernised. In fact, many styles of shuriken-jutsu indeed became extinct. If it were not for the efforts of several individuals such as Kanji Narusei (188? - 1948) and Fujita Seiko (1900 - 1966) shuriken-jutsu practitioners who preserved the art by transmitting it and writing books on the subject, as well as a handful of surviving classical martial arts schools such as Yagyu Shingan Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, Kashima Shinto-Ryu, Kukishin Ryu and Togakure Ryu, the art of shuriken-jutsu would indeed have been lost to history. Since the Second World War, there has been a surge of interest in Japanese Martial Arts, particularly in the West, and shuriken-jutsu has grown to become an art of its own standing, with at least two schools dedicated to preserving its techniques and philosophy; Negishi ryū and Meifu Shinkage ryū.
Sources
Finn, Michael (1983) Art of Shuriken Jutsu Paul Crompton, UK,Hammond, Billy (1985) Shuriken jutsu: The Japanese art of projectile throwing A.E.L.S , Japan ASIN B0007B60TC
Fujita, Seiko (1928) Zukai Shurikenjutsu
Iwai, Kohaku (1999) Hibuki no Subete ga Wakaru Hon (Hidden Weapons) BAB, Japan
Kono, Yoshinori (1996). Toru Shirai: Founder of Tenshin Shirai Ryu in "Aikido Journal" #108
Mol, Serge (2003) Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Artists. Kodansha, Japan
Nawa, Yumio (1962) Kakushi Buki Soran (An Overview of Hidden Weapons) Japan
Saito, Satoshi in Skoss, Diane ed. (1999) Sword & Spirit: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan Vol. 2 Koryu Books,
Shirakami, Eizo (1985) Shurikendo: My study of the way of Shuriken, Paul H. Crompton, London
Someya, Chikatoshi (2001) Shuriken Giho Airyudo, Japan
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