The Shuriken is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon. It was one of the Long-Range weapons of the Ninja.
Stats[]
- 4 inches
- 2 ounces
- Tempered Steel
Description[]
Shuriken were fashioned from everyday items: nails, needles, coins, washers, and other flat plates of metal. The most popular kind is the Hira-shuriken, often called Ninja Stars. These were flat disks with four blades, often with a hole in the center. The hole aided the aerodynamic and weighting effects of the shuriken, and could allow multiple shuriken to be strung on a string for transport.
Uses[]
Contrary to their depiction in popular media, the shuriken was more of a distraction tool than a lethal weapon. They were often thrown at the enemy's eyes, or else thrown to cause a glancing cut, leading the opponent to believe they had been attacked by an invisible swordsman. Some may have been coated with poison, or allowed to rust so as to cause an infection (including Tetanus). The majority of shurikens are not designed to be lethal (unless they precisely hit an unarmored opponent in the eye, neck, heart, spine or back of the head). They are still a popular weapon as Ninjas can carry literally dozens of them into battle without being weighed down. According to the show; the stars fly at about 45-50 mph.
Shuriken was just one of many types of Shaken: which included small Chakram and various circular or spiral designs. [1]
Another iconic Ninja knife was the Kunai; a modified trowel. It was more lethal due to its larger size; however it was more frequently used for close combat and digging.
Throwing darts were also commonly used by Ninja thanks to being similarly easy to conceal and carry. Ninjas made armband sheaths that could hold at least 3 darts (with some carrying over 6). These were located under the wrist to allow the Ninja to quickly grab the dart and then immediately throw it. These darts were easy to make out of common scrap metal or nails.
In the Show[]
The shuriken was tested against dummy where it was capable of breaking bones but was deemed to only injure an opponent rather than kill.
Trivia[]
- The word 'Shuriken' means Hidden Blade; not Ninja Star.
- The Ninja used other throwing weapons like knives, spikes, caltrops and shortswords.
- A red shuriken surrounding a Corinthian Helmet (the helmet of the Ninja's opponent, the Spartan) appears on the Deadliest Warrior title card, in between the two words.