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Hira Shuriken

Shuriken (手裏剣; lit: "hand hidden blade") is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing. They are small, sharpened, hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items, such as needles, nails, and knives, as well as coins, washers and other flat plates of metal. Shuriken were mainly a supplemental weapon to the more commonly used katana (sword) or yari (spear) in a warrior's arsenal, though they often played a pivotal tactical role in battle. The art of wielding the shuriken is known as shuriken-jutsu, and was mainly taught as a minor, or more correctly, a secret part of the martial arts curriculum of many famous schools, such as Yagyu Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, Itto Ryu, Kukishin Ryu and Togakure Ryu.

Shuriken are commonly known in the west as "throwing stars", however this term hardly does justice to the weapon, as the pointed "star" shaped form is but one of many different designs the blades took over the centuries they were used.

The major varieties of Shuriken are the bo shuriken (棒手裏剣) and the hira shuriken (平手裏剣), or shaken (車剣, also read as kurumaken)

Bo-Shuriken

This is a throwing weapon consisting of a straight, iron or steel spike, 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 of the hand, the shaft being supported and controlled by the first two fingers. The shuriken is thrown by snapping the wrist forward and brushing the back of the blade. This slows down its rotation in the air, thus controlling the distance at which it will stick.

The straight bo-shuriken were thrown so that they spun slowly in flight. Thus, the thrower did not have to worry about how many rotations the shuriken would make on its way to a target. This allowed the thrower to stick the shuriken in a target that was moving toward or away from the thrower. A skilled shuriken thrower would have been able to hide the shuriken and throw it while just outside of sword-striking distance to distract their opponent. A bo shuriken is not a dart. A dart has feathers or a tassel which correct the path of the shuriken in flight in the same manner as an arrow. The flight path and rotation speed of a bo shuriken are controlled entirely by the release of the shuriken by the thrower.

Hira shuriken

Hira shuriken are constructed from thin, flat plates of metal from a variety of sources, such as coins (hishi-gane), carpentry tools (kugi-nuki), washers (senban) and as such do not generally look like what is usually conceived of as the ninja star. Often they have a hole in the center, are only sharpened on the very tips and are very nearly square in shape with slighty curved sides and a fairly thin blade. The reason for the hole is that the original source items had holes - old coins, washers and nail-removing tools, each possessed holes as part of their design. This was found to be convenient for the user of the shuriken, as they could be carried strung together on string, and the hole also had an aerodynamic effect which aided the actual flight of the blade as it was thrown. Also part of the design is the fact that the tips alone were sharpened, for the simple fact that having sharpened edges would lead to cut fingers. In addition, the thinness of the blade added to the penetrating power. There are a variety of forms known that follow the fashion of the shaken. Variations include one- or two-pointed tips, smoother aerodynamic shapes to aid flight, or small blades.

It should be noted that unlike bo-shuriken, senban shuriken were used as harassment tools rather than as a true throwing knife in many instances. Generally they would gash an opponent and bounce off, making it difficult to ascertain the direction from which it was thrown.

During medieval times, samurai used small throwing missiles as ranged weapons. Besides shuriken, these throwing spikes were used.

In a combat situation, one could throw a single or handful of shuriken toward an opponent as a diversion. The targeted areas are vulnerable body parts like the face, the throat or the hands. The maximum effective range is about 6 yards. With an opponent thus distracted or injured, one could escape or take the advantage with a follow-up attack.

Tracing back through history to determine the origins of this unique throwing weapon is difficult, if not impossible. In theory, it can be seen how the four-pointed Senban shuriken, characteristic of the Togakure Ryu of ninjutsu, was perhaps developed from the four-cornered, iron reinforcing plates (washers) that backed up the heads of the nails used in the joining of timbers in castle and fortress construction. Such washers are also seen in the construction of the large taiko drums still played today.

Today few ryu still train to throw shaken. In such ryu, a single, carefully aimed shaken is thrown against a target. Also, rare kata are taught where shaken are used for an initial action followed by a sword technique.))

Uses

Contrary to popular belief, (video games, Hollywood, etc.) shuriken are not designed as a primary weapon, but rather as a distraction or tactical weapon. The first bo shuriken were large nails used in the wooden construction of temples and houses. However, the more commonly seen four sided shuriken was a tool used by carpenters to dig out those nails. Usually ninja could not afford to buy an expensive weapon from a weaponsmith. As a result, they improvised by using everyday objects for weapons.

Shuriken could be used on the battlefield as a distraction; a hidden ambush group might throw a volley as a diversion or delaying tactic. Shuriken were at times tipped with poison. Corrosion is also a relentless factor in humid Japan, and the rust may be an effective poison if introduced into the bloodstream.

Popular culture

Ryu Hayabusa often uses shuriken in the Ninja Gaiden video game , including explosive shuriken .
In the popular manga/anime Naruto, ninja also use bigger versions of shuriken as well as a modified version called a Fuuma Shuriken.
The DC Comics character Manhunter was skilled with this weapon.
In the Warhammer 40K universe, the Eldar use shuriken weaponry; however, theirs are a single molecule thick and are ammunition for shuriken pistols, cannons and carbines, as opposed to being a thrown weapon.
In the video game Mortal Kombat: Deception, one of Noob Saibot's fatalities is to throw shuriken into precise pressure points, killing the enemy.
The character Case in William Gibson's cyberpunk novel Neuromancer is fascinated by shuriken and one occurs as a minor motif throughout the story.
Various RPGs have been known to have a shuriken as a selectable weapon, one of the more popular titles being Final Fantasy, where the Ninja class can use them in the "throw" ability.
In the Forgotten Realms fantasy novels, the drow elves use these weapons.
In "Good Times With Weapons," episode 801 of South Park, Kenny throws a shuriken; lodging it in Butters' eye.
In the video game series, Sonic the Hedgehog, Espio the Chameleon of the group Team Chaotix uses giant shuriken as weapons in the more recent games.
In the video game Mega Man 3, the enemy character Shadow Man uses what are arguably large Senban shuriken; killing him enables Mega Man to gain the "Shadow Blade" ability.
In the video game The Revenge of Shinobi, Joe Musashi uses shuriken against his ninja enemies as his main attack.
In the MMORPG, MapleStory, Assassins use shuriken as a main weapon.
Wario Ware Touched! features a shuriken-throwing minigame.

References

External links

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Image:Shuriken.jpg|thumbnail|Hira Shuriken]]
-'''Shuriken''' (手裏剣; lit: "hand hidden blade") is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing. They are small, sharpened, hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items, such as needles, nails, and knives, as well as coins, washers and other flat plates of metal. Shuriken were mainly a supplemental weapon to the more commonly used ''katana'' (sword) or ''yari'' (spear) in a warrior's arsenal, though they often played a pivotal tactical role in battle. The art of wielding the shuriken is known as ''[[shurikenjutsu|shuriken-jutsu]]'', and was mainly taught as a minor, or more correctly, a secret part of the martial arts curriculum of many famous schools, such as Yagyu Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, Itto Ryu, Kukishin Ryu and Togakure Ryu.
+'''Shuriken''' (手裏剣; lit: "hand hidden blade") is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing. They are small, sharpened, hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items, such as needles, nails, and knives, as well as coins, washers and other flat plates of metal. Shuriken were mainly a supplemental weapon to the more commonly used ''[[katana]]'' (sword) or ''[[yari]]'' (spear) in a warrior's arsenal, though they often played a pivotal tactical role in battle. The art of wielding the shuriken is known as ''[[shurikenjutsu|shuriken-jutsu]]'', and was mainly taught as a minor, or more correctly, a secret part of the martial arts curriculum of many famous schools, such as Yagyu Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, Itto Ryu, Kukishin Ryu and Togakure Ryu.
 Shuriken are commonly known in the west as "throwing stars", however this term hardly does justice to the weapon, as the pointed "star" shaped form is but one of many different designs the blades took over the centuries they were used.
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 {{references}}
-[[Image:Bo_shuriken.jpg|thumbnail|Bo Shuriken]]This is a throwing weapon consisting of a straight, iron or steel spike, 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 of the hand, the shaft being supported and controlled by the first two fingers. The shuriken is thrown by snapping the wrist forward and brushing the back of the blade. This slows down its rotation in the air, thus controlling the distance at which it will stick.
+[[Image:Bo_shuriken.jpg|thumbnail|Bo Shuriken]]This is a throwing weapon consisting of a straight, iron or steel spike, 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 of the hand, the shaft being supported and controlled by the first two fingers. The shuriken is thrown by snapping the wrist forward and brushing the back of the blade. This slows down its rotation in the air, thus controlling the distance at which it will stick.
-The straight bo-shuriken were thrown so that they spun slowly in flight.  Thus, the thrower did not have to worry about how many rotations the shuriken would make on its way to a target.  This allowed the thrower to stick the shuriken in a target that was moving toward or away from the thrower.  A skilled shuriken thrower would have been able to hide the shuriken and throw it while just outside of sword-striking distance to distract their opponent. A bo shuriken is not a dart. A dart has feathers or a tassel which correct the path of the shuriken in flight in the same manner as an arrow. The flight path and rotation speed of a bo shuriken are controlled entirely by the release of the shuriken by the thrower.
+The straight bo-shuriken were thrown so that they spun slowly in flight.  Thus, the thrower did not have to worry about how many rotations the shuriken would make on its way to a target.  This allowed the thrower to stick the shuriken in a target that was moving toward or away from the thrower.  A skilled shuriken thrower would have been able to hide the shuriken and throw it while just outside of sword-striking distance to distract their opponent. A bo shuriken is not a [[dart]]. A dart has feathers or a tassel which correct the path of the shuriken in flight in the same manner as an arrow. The flight path and rotation speed of a bo shuriken are controlled entirely by the release of the shuriken by the thrower.
 ==Hira shuriken==
 {{references}}
-'''Hira shuriken''' are constructed from thin, flat plates of metal from a variety of sources, such as coins (hishi-gane), [[carpentry]] tools (kugi-nuki), washers (senban) and as such do not generally look like what is usually conceived of as the ''ninja star''. Often they have a hole in the center, are only sharpened on the very tips and are very nearly square in shape with slighty curved sides and a fairly thin blade. The reason for the hole is that the original source items had holes - old coins, washers and nail-removing tools, each possessed holes as part of their design. This was found to be convenient for the user of the shuriken, as they could be carried strung together on string, and the hole also had an aerodynamic effect which aided the actual flight of the blade as it was thrown.  Also part of the design is the fact that the tips alone were sharpened, for the simple fact that having sharpened edges would lead to cut fingers. In addition, the thinness of the blade added to the penetrating power. There are a variety of forms known that follow the fashion of the shaken. Variations include one- or two-pointed tips, smoother aerodynamic shapes to aid flight, or small blades.
+'''Hira shuriken''' are constructed from thin, flat plates of metal from a variety of sources, such as coins (hishi-gane), [[carpentry]] tools (kugi-nuki), washers (senban) and as such do not generally look like what is usually conceived of as the ''ninja star''. Often they have a hole in the center, are only sharpened on the very tips and are very nearly square in shape with slighty curved sides and a fairly thin blade. The reason for the hole is that the original source items had holes - old coins, washers and nail-removing tools, each possessed holes as part of their design. This was found to be convenient for the user of the shuriken, as they could be carried strung together on string, and the hole also had an [[aerodynamic]] effect which aided the actual flight of the blade as it was thrown.  Also part of the design is the fact that the tips alone were sharpened, for the simple fact that having sharpened edges would lead to cut fingers. In addition, the thinness of the blade added to the penetrating power. There are a variety of forms known that follow the fashion of the shaken. Variations include one- or two-pointed tips, smoother aerodynamic shapes to aid flight, or small blades.
 It should be noted that unlike bo-shuriken, senban shuriken were used as harassment tools rather than as a true throwing [[knife]] in many instances. Generally they would gash an opponent and bounce off, making it difficult to ascertain the direction from which it was thrown.
-((During medieval times, [[samurai]] used small throwing missiles as ranged weapons. Besides [[Shuriken]], these throwing spikes were used.
+During medieval times, [[samurai]] used small throwing missiles as ranged weapons. Besides shuriken, these throwing spikes were used.
-In a combat situation, one could throw a single or handful of shuriken toward an opponent as a diversion. The targeted areas are vulnerable body parts like the face, the throat or the hands. The maximum effective range is about 6 yards.  With an opponent thus distracted or injured, one could escape or take the advantage with a follow-up attack.
+In a combat situation, one could throw a single or handful of shuriken toward an opponent as a diversion. The targeted areas are vulnerable body parts like the face, the throat or the hands. The maximum effective range is about 6 [[yards]].  With an opponent thus distracted or injured, one could escape or take the advantage with a follow-up attack.
-Tracing back through history to determine the origins of this unique throwing weapon is difficult, if not impossible. In theory, it can be seen how the four-pointed Senban shuriken, characteristic of the Togakure Ryu of [[ninjutsu]], was perhaps developed from the four-cornered, iron reinforcing plates (washers) that backed up the heads of the nails used in the joining of timbers in castle and fortress construction. Such washers are also seen in the construction of the large taiko drums still played today.
+Tracing back through history to determine the origins of this unique throwing weapon is difficult, if not impossible. In theory, it can be seen how the four-pointed Senban shuriken, characteristic of the Togakure Ryu of [[ninjutsu]], was perhaps developed from the four-cornered, iron reinforcing plates (washers) that backed up the heads of the nails used in the joining of timbers in castle and fortress construction. Such washers are also seen in the construction of the large [[taiko]] drums still played today.
 Today few [[Ryu (school)|ryu]] still train to throw shaken. In such ryu, a single, carefully aimed shaken is thrown against a target. Also, rare [[kata]] are taught where shaken are used for an initial action followed by a sword technique.))