Shurikens Were Popular Among Ninjas for What Reason?

 

The term "Ninja" first appeared in the 14th century. In this period, ninjas were highly regarded professionals who used unorthodox methods to complete their missions. 

Ninja’s most common weapons included the spear, sword, and shuriken—a Japanese word for "needle." There are many other weapons that can be classified as “ninja weapons," including a naginata (a pole weapon), kusarigama (chain), and ninja swords.

A Look at Ninja Stars

The shuriken, or shurikenjutsu, is a weapon that was typically thrown by hand in ancient times. As it turns out, ichimonji are the key components of these stars. They were often attired with jewels and were favorably said to be able to cut through iron. 

Along with ichimonji, there are many other materials for the construction of a traditional Japanese throwing star such as wood and metal. The weapon became widespread due to its use by ninjas during the Muromachi period (1392-1573).

In Japan, ichimonji (roughly translated as "one thousand treasures") are known for their ability to cut through iron and Japanese jade. A "two-thousand-treasures" would be made from a different material or at a different length. 

The shurikenjutsu was commonly used by the ninja of the Muromachi period in a variety of ways: to puncture bodies and armor, to throw at enemies from distances, to make noise and distract enemies, even to use as an anchor for a rope in some occasions. The shape of these stars also varied according to the purpose for which it was used.

Throwing Stars: Various Forms

The shuriken (in Japanese called 手裏剣; meaning "sword hidden in the hand") is an edged weapon disguised as a metal disk with sharpened edges, resembling a flat version of the earlier chakram or chatkcha weapons.

 

The first examples of this weapon were documented in Japan's Kamakura period and are closely associated with ninja clans. They are also known variously as throwing stars, ninja stars, and death stars depending on size and shape.

This is commonly associated with a concealed weapon known as the "manrikigusari" (萬力錐, "lit. "10,000 power cord""), which appears to be a metal chain with a series of spherical or cube-shaped weights at the end. This one is usually concealed within long hair and thrown with the aid of a string looped around the wrist and attached to the chain. 

The heavier weight at the end of the chain makes it easier to grip and increases speed and range due to its momentum during release. Smaller versions of these weapons, along with basics on their use and manufacture, are still provided in Japanese martial arts schools today.

Sharpness of Throwing Stars

One thing that sets shuriken apart from other throwing weapons is the sharpness of their blades. This makes it easier to pierce through the target and cause damage. Japanese design helped make the shuriken the weapon it is today, with its three sharp points projecting outwards from a central shaft - one in front of the body, one on each side at 45 degrees, and a blade in between.

After the explosion of popularity of this traditional weapon in Japan and around the world, it was only natural that young people would want to learn how to throw these stars. The sharpness of their blades is hard to achieve by other means like systematic training or using knives.

Throwing Stars in Combat

Shuriken is typically constructed from three slender blades connected to the end of a length of cord. They were often used as projectiles and thrown in pairs at an opponent, where one blade would be hidden in the other's handle so that it would appear to the enemy that both ends of the weapon were the same length. 

The use of throwing stars in combat has been documented as early as the 14th century. These stars were thought to be a type of weapons that had more lethal force when thrown from a distance. This helped it achieve three main characteristics: accuracy, safety and speed.

Is a Shuriken Lethal?

There seems to be some confusion over whether a shuriken, a type of Japanese throwing weapon, is lethal.

Yes, they are. Quite so. They are purposely designed to be capable of inflicting fatal injuries. They are also designed to meet different needs: some for combat and others for throwing in festivals (in which competitions were held) or celebratory events like weddings or funerals; these latter would be less deadly but still able to draw blood with an intent-to-wound approach.