Bo Shuriken jutsu for dummies :)
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Shuriken-Jutsu·Przemysław Tesla
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Shuriken-Jutsu
Family手裏剣術
TraditionalTranslation: Hidden-Hand Blade Art
Overview
Japanese art of throwing bladed projectiles, divided into bo-shuriken (spike-type) and hira-shuriken (star-type) methods.
History & Origin
Shuriken-jutsu (throwing blade art) developed as a supplementary combat discipline within Japanese koryu bujutsu, with the earliest documented references dating to the Sengoku period (1467–1615). [1] The art was practised as a secondary skill in schools whose primary focus was swordsmanship or spear work, including Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, Negishi-ryu, and Meifu Shinkage-ryu. [2] Shirakami Eizo, author of Shuriken-Do (2001), documents that shuriken were designed primarily as distraction and harassment weapons rather than killing implements — thrown to create a momentary opening for a follow-up sword attack or to cover a retreat. [3] The two main categories are bo-shuriken (spike-type) and hira-shuriken (flat, star-type), each with distinct throwing mechanics. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Shuriken-jutsu (throwing blade techniques) served primarily as a supplementary combat art — shuriken were used to distract, harass, or create openings rather than as primary killing weapons. [1] The effective range for shuriken is limited to approximately 5–10 metres, and their penetration depth is generally insufficient for lethal wounds against armoured opponents. [2] Their primary tactical value was in creating momentary distraction to enable a follow-up sword attack or retreat. [2]
Lineage
Shuriken-jutsu was practised as a supplementary art within many koryu schools, including Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, Meifu Shinkage-ryu, and Negishi-ryu. [1] Meifu Shinkage-ryu, founded by Someya Chikatoshi (a student of Naruse Kanji of Negishi-ryu), is the most active surviving school dedicated primarily to shuriken-jutsu. [2]
Competition Record
Shurikenjutsu is practised within classical Japanese martial arts schools and demonstrated at koryū embu events. There is no standardised competitive format. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Striking, blocking, or thrusting with a long rigid weapon — the staff's length creates leverage and reach advantage
Joints Involved — Both hands (sliding and rotating grip positions), wrists (snap for strikes), hips (rotation for power)
Force Vector — The rear hand pushes while the lead hand acts as fulcrum — staff rotation generates speed at the striking tip
Weapon Mechanic — The staff can be used from either end and at any range — versatility from long-range strikes to short-range blocks
Position & Entry
From ready position — Grip the throwing weapon, establish distance and target, throw with proper spin or trajectory
From concealment — Draw the throwing weapon from concealed position and throw in a single motion
Videos
Shuriken jutsu by Master Kono Yoshinori
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Shuriken-Jutsu·MartialTV
Shuriken jutsu by Master Kono Yoshinori http://www.martialtv.org
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Projectile weapons including shuriken, throwing knives; high penetration risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...
— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable
IWUF Competition RulesPDFHEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Shuriken-jutsu is the Japanese art of throwing blades — a supplementary martial skill practised alongside swordsmanship and other koryu arts (Draeger, Classical Bujutsu, 1973)
✓Shuriken were historically used to distract, harass, and create openings — they were not primary combat weapons but tactical tools
✓Two main types exist: bo-shuriken (spike-shaped) and hira-shuriken (flat, star-shaped) — each with completely different throwing mechanics
✓Shuriken-jutsu was traditionally a secret art: techniques were closely guarded within martial arts schools and not shared publicly
✓The art requires precise calibration of distance, rotation, and release — small errors in any variable cause the shuriken to miss or bounce
✓Modern shuriken-jutsu preserves these techniques as cultural heritage — practised within koryu (traditional) martial arts schools
✓Shuriken could be thrown from concealment in a single smooth motion — the draw and throw were practised as one movement for speed and surprise
Common Mistakes
!Expecting shuriken to be lethal at range — historically, shuriken were used to distract and harass, not to kill at distance
!Throwing shuriken like darts — the technique is specific and must be learned properly; casual throwing is inaccurate
!Not respecting the art's cultural context — shuriken-jutsu has a specific place in Japanese martial tradition; removing the context diminishes the art
!Using any sharp object as a shuriken — proper shuriken are balanced for throwing; random objects do not perform the same
!Training without a proper target and backstop — shuriken bounce unpredictably; safety measures are essential
!Mixing bo-shuriken and hira-shuriken techniques — the two types require completely different throwing methods
!Neglecting the draw — the concealed draw is part of the technique; throwing without practising the draw is incomplete
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Ready Position — assume the guard stance appropriate for the weapon
2Distance Control — manage spacing relative to the opponent
3Execute Technique — perform the offensive or defensive action with correct form
4Return to Guard — recover to a defensive ready position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat (Patrick McCarthy, 2008)
1BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [3] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
2BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Draeger, D., Classical Bujutsu (Weatherhill, 1973) [2] Draeger, D. & Smith, R., Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Kodansha, 1969)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [3] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
5CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Draeger, D., Classical Bujutsu (Weatherhill, 1973) [2] Draeger, D. & Smith, R., Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Kodansha, 1969)
Community
Athletics
Requires
precision, wrist snap, hand-eye coordination
Favours
strong wrists and forearms, excellent proprioception
Key muscles
forearm extensors, wrist flexors, deltoids, core
Sub-techniques
Bo-Shuriken — Spike
SubFamilyStraight, spike-shaped throwing blades propelled with a direct-throw or half-spin technique for penetrating impact.
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Hira-Shuriken — Star
SubFamilyFlat, multi-pointed throwing blades designed to be thrown with a spinning release for slashing impact.
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
Shuriken appear in 505 passages across 33 books. Throwing stars/blades used by shinobi (ninja) and some samurai schools. Shuriken-jutsu was a supplementary art, not a primary combat skill — used to distract, create distance, or set up sword attacks. (33 books; Draeger, Classical Budo; ninjutsu texts)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Shuriken-Jutsu work?
Japanese art of throwing bladed projectiles, divided into bo-shuriken (spike-type) and hira-shuriken (star-type) methods.
Where does the Shuriken-Jutsu come from?
Shuriken-jutsu (throwing blade art) developed as a supplementary combat discipline within Japanese koryu bujutsu, with the earliest documented references dating to the Sengoku period (1467–1615). The art was practised as a secondary skill in schools whose primary focus was swordsmanship or spear work, including Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, Negishi-ryu, and Meifu Shinkage-ryu.
Is the Shuriken-Jutsu legal in competition?
Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
How dangerous is the Shuriken-Jutsu?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — projectile weapons including shuriken, throwing knives; high penetration risk
How do I set up the Shuriken-Jutsu?
The standard setup chain: Ready Position → Distance Control → Execute Technique → Return to Guard.
How do I defend against the Shuriken-Jutsu?
Standard counters include: Guard Position — return to a defensive ready stance / Distance Management — control the measure to avoid being in range / Counter-Attack — strike during the opponent's recovery or between movements.
What are the variants of the Shuriken-Jutsu?
Common variants: Standard technique (primary execution from the most common grip and stance); Competition variation (adapted for sport-specific rules and scoring); Traditional variation (classical execution as taught in the traditional art); Combination variation (chained with preceding or following techniques in a flow).
How effective is the Shuriken-Jutsu in competition?
Shurikenjutsu is practised within classical Japanese martial arts schools and demonstrated at koryū embu events. There is no standardised competitive format.
What are common mistakes when doing the Shuriken-Jutsu?
Top errors to watch for: Expecting shuriken to be lethal at range — historically, shuriken were used to distract and harass, not to kill at di… / Throwing shuriken like darts — the technique is specific and must be learned properly; casual throwing is inaccurate / Not respecting the art's cultural context — shuriken-jutsu has a specific place in Japanese martial tradition; removi… / Using any sharp object as a shuriken — proper shuriken are balanced for throwing; random objects do not perform the same.
What are other names for the Shuriken-Jutsu?
The Shuriken-Jutsu is also known as Shurikenjutsu, Throwing Star Art, Ninja Stars.