|
Interesting
information you may not know!
Shuriken ( "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.
Contrary
to popular belief, 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.
Back to home |
