Asterisk weapon is called. Methods of throwing shuriken. Beautiful shuriken made of scrap paper
Throwing weapons have accompanied humans since ancient times. The first stone thrown at a mammoth marked the beginning of the evolution of the most incredible flying objects necessary for survival. We'll talk about them today. Knives and special throwing plates: samples throwing weapons, which have come down to us from time immemorial, differ in shape, weight, material from which they are made, range of action, but they have one thing in common - without a trained hand, it is just a piece of metal.
Martial arts masters say that in the right hands it can become a weapon. Of course, people have been using them for hunting since ancient times, but if we consider objects, namely, weapons: a shaken, an axe, a knife, etc., then it is necessary to spend some time learning to wield it, learning how to throw it correctly , prepare yours.There are many types of throwing weapons, but today we will look at only four of them.
Shuriken
Shuriken (bo-shuriken) - a large forged pin with a sharpened end. This secret weapon ninja. The literal translation from Japanese is a blade hidden in the hand. Shuriken is a concealed weapon in the form of a steel pin for a swift attack at short distances. The length of bo-shuriken varies from 12 to 21 centimeters, and weight from 35 to 150 grams. Shuriken itself can be used not only as a throwing weapon, but also as a hand-to-hand combat weapon. Traps were set with shurikens.
There are two main ones, depending on the grip. During the first grip, the shuriken is taken with the sharp end up. This is non-revolving throwing. With the second grip, the tip of the shuriken turns down - half-turn throwing.
If you simply practice throwing shuriken to a person who has never done it, then the next day not only his arm, but his whole body begins to hurt. Because it uses biodynamics of the whole body, starting from the legs, twisting the hips, torso, abs, chest and arms, that is, the work of the whole body is practically used.
The fighter's task when throwing shuriken is to turn his body into a catapult. The energy of the throw originates in a barely noticeable movement of the legs. The master moves the body forward, giving the hips an impulse of rotation, and only at the final stage does the hand become involved in this mechanism. That is, practically the hand is the final stage. Almost us.
Shuriken is most effective when thrown without turning. That is, it does not rotate in a vertical plane. Almost everything depends on the distance to the target and the angle of attack.
With any throw, you must instantly determine the distance to the target, determine the target’s position in space, understand your own position in space, and only taking into account all these factors, make the throw. The actual distance to hit a target with a shuriken varies somewhere from two to four meters.
In Japanese martial arts, shuriken has a distracting function. That is, for example, a shuriken is thrown from the left hand, with right hand.
Shaken
The next example of a throwing weapon is a sharen, or, otherwise, a ninja throwing star. This is a flat throwing weapon with a number of rays from four to eight, really similar to a star. The diameter of the shaken ranges from five to ten centimeters, and the weight can reach up to 300 grams. Be careful, formally, the use of shakens, like bo-shurikens, is prohibited by the law on weapons, but only if we're talking about about combat, not sports. But the law does not explain how to distinguish them. Although in this case the lack of clear criteria gives a free interpretation of the law on weapons. An expert may or may not recognize the shaken as a cold weapon. And yet, using such throwing weapons outside the walls of sports sections is not recommended.
Contrary to popular belief, ninjas did not try to cause great harm, but tried to minimize it, and, if possible, avoid a collision altogether. Accordingly, the shaken was also a distraction in order to break the distance and hide. In medieval Japan, clothing was quite loose. And one of the options for using this clothing was protection from shuriken and shaken, since freely hanging fabric is quite a serious obstacle for a shaken, blocking its flight path.
The technique of throwing a shaken can be different. A trained fighter is able to throw a throwing star from any position and hit the target. At the same time, you don’t need to control which side of this throwing weapon will hit the target, and worry about the number of revolutions. During flight, the star rotates around its axis. This rotation causes a phenomenon similar to the action of gyroscopic forces on a top. While the spinning top is spinning, it does not fall. The stronger the rotational impulse that the fighter’s hand transmits to the shaken, the more stable the flight of the throwing star.
To distract attention, you can throw any available means, such as metal money, and the effect will be approximately the same.
Shinbiao - flexible spear, or dart on a string
This is a heavy forged blade that is attached to a long rope. With this weapon you can strike in the manner of untwisting a rope and hitting the forged blade flat, or you can spin it and throw it forward so that it flies with the tip, and if the target is hit, it is pulled back by the rope, and you again remain with your weapon.
Shinbiao is one of the types of the so-called rope spear. The length of historical samples of this weapon reached 20 centimeters, and the weight reached 300 grams. This is a rather serious type of weapon, and like any flexible weapon, it is extremely difficult to master and requires a lot of time.
Unlike shakens and shurikens, whose action is most effective at a distance of five meters, the range and speed of shinbiao are much higher. The technique of using it is very spectacular and interesting. Allows you to throw it in one direction, pull it out, and immediately, without doing anything else, throw it in the other direction.
Throwing Knife
Only in shape it resembles a classic knife. As a rule, this is a thick, heavy projectile, the weight of which can reach up to 500 grams. Unlike a regular knife, a sporting implement does not have a cutting edge, so an athlete can freely grab it by the blade without fear of cutting himself.
In Russia, special requirements are placed on the knives with which athletes train. The knife must have a one-sided sharpening, a blade width of no more than 6 centimeters and no stop (guard). This is partly determined by the law, partly by the rules of international competitions.
A person gives it linear and angular speed. Both of these parameters must be completely under the control of the athlete. Linear speed- this is the speed at which the knife moves towards the target. Angular - the speed of rotation of the knife around its axis.
The closer we stand to the target, the closer we take the knife with a grip towards the tip. The knife, accordingly, makes larger number rpm The further you move away from the target, the higher you grab the knife by the blade. At long distances, the knife is taken right under the handle. At the same time, the knife rotates more slowly. A good, heavy knife made of forged steel, has higher speed and penetrating ability when throwing. Moreover, even if it hits a harder target than a regular target, for example, a metal sheet, it does not become dull.
Today we will learn how to make shuriken from iron with our own hands at home.
Making shuriken at home
To make a metal Japanese throwing star we will need the following tools and materials:
- A square iron sheet several millimeters thick.
- Mark.
- Drill or screwdriver.
- Hacksaw (or grinder).
- File (or sharpening wheel).
First, let's decide on the sizes. We take a notebook sheet in a square and mark a square of 28 by 28 cells (or 14 by 14 centimeters). Find the middle of the square and count from it diagonally 3 cells on four sides. We connect our marks into a star pattern.
We cut it out and transfer the design to a sheet of metal. We take a core and make marks for the drill on the inner corners of the star and in the center. Use a thin drill to drill through holes in these places. Use a thick drill to drill out these holes.
Using a hacksaw or grinder we cut out our drawing. Using a file or sharpening wheel, sharpen the edges.
So we made our own weapon of the ancient Japanese ninjas - an iron throwing star shuriken. When thrown, such a product easily pierces a thick wooden board.
Photo diagram of how to make shuriken.
How to make shurikens video
The video shows detailed step-by-step instruction for the production of metal throwing stars.
Warning: Remember that the shuriken we made is very dangerous and you need to handle it very carefully - do not swing it, do not hold on to the sharpened edges, and even more so, do not throw it at other people.
Article genre - Japanese weapons
In recording Hiyori no Ki chronicles Gosannen no eki("Second Three Years War", dating from 1083-87) mentions an aimed throw of a blade hidden in the hand, " shuriken ni utsu"Perhaps this is where the term itself originates" shuriken"Throwing objects has no doubt been a common practice among people for thousands of years, and ever since ancient man learned that he could defend himself and get food by throwing stones at living creatures, and ideas about throwing techniques were developed.
This was treated especially “creatively”, so to speak, in mysterious Japan, where the technique of using small throwing plates as weapons received the greatest development. And the most famous among them are, of course, throwing blades, which in Japanese are called “shuriken” .
Technically, the art of throwing shuriken goes back to the throwing technique various knives- from tanto to wakizashi short sword, as well as special utine throwing arrows. It is believed that the predecessors of shuriken were various items equipment and weapons that, with some skill, could be used for throwing, such as a short dart (ko-yari, te-yari), a sharpened file (yajiri), a hand-held point for spurring a horse (uma-bari), etc.
In the public consciousness, shurikens are inextricably linked with the image of the “shadow man”. That's why they are often called "ninja stars." However, in reality, throwing weapons of this kind were widely used by all Japanese warriors, but it was for the ninja that it became, as it were, a “calling card.”
The reasons for this, as usual, are extremely simple: stars and arrows can be easily hidden in clothes and used for secret murder on the sly, which predetermined their popularity among the “invisible people”. By holding shurikens of a suitable shape in both hands, you can stab, tear, rip with them like brass knuckles in hand-to-hand combat. In addition, shurikens were used as fire-making chairs, as aids when climbing trees, etc.
Unlike the movies, in practice the effective range of shuriken destruction was not so great. It depended mainly on the physical condition and skill of the warrior and only partly on the design and weight of the weapon itself. In any case, it was no more than twenty meters. And at such a distance it was effective only if the enemy was without armor and did not see the throw.
Shuriken device
Shurikens consist of bases with or without a hole, teeth with a tip, usually sharpened on one side.
A special feature of the design of shurikens is their flat surface, which provides a “wing” effect in flight when thrown with a twist, which makes it possible to throw it over a long distance. The presence of numerous teeth, ensuring almost 100% defeat, unlike single-blade throwing melee weapons. The relative roundness in general and the symmetry of the elements ensure flight stability, guaranteeing, if you have skills in throwing techniques, good aiming of the throw.
Like most other types of weapons of the throwing type, shurikens were worn several at a time. Most often there were nine of them, as this number was considered sacred and bringing good luck.
In appearance Shuriken also showed the Japanese's desire for esotericism and mystical symbolism. In order to be convinced of this, it is enough to compare their form with any of the numerous publications devoted to the occult sciences, in which the corresponding symbols are shown. In addition to the information contained in the form itself, mystical signs were sometimes applied to the surface of the weapon. There is no bravado in this, and this was not done for beauty, because the people who made the weapons and used them firmly believed that with their help they could attract powerful otherworldly forces to their side.
In count various forms shurikens are perhaps second only to arrows, but even among this type of weapon several can be distinguished general groups characteristics by which they are usually classified:
- a) for the device as a whole: solid (solid) and folding, consisting of several prefabricated elements, brought into firing position using a push-button spring mechanism; with and without a hole in the base;
- b) by design: with a classically expressed base and teeth and with an unexpressed base and teeth, where the base is a direct continuation of the teeth and vice versa without a pronounced border between them;
- c) by size: small - up to 6 cm in diameter, medium - over 6 cm to 8 cm, large - over 8 cm in diameter up to 12 cm or more;
- d) by the number of teeth: three-tooth, five-tooth, four-tooth, six-tooth, eight-tooth;
- e) according to the shape of the teeth: triangular, polygonal, figured, crescent-shaped;
- f) by type of teeth: needle-shaped, wedge-shaped, diamond-shaped, arrow-shaped;
- g) according to the shape of the bases of the teeth: straight, curved to the left (right);
- h) according to the presence of sharpening: one-sided and two-sided;
- i) by the presence of blades: single-bladed teeth and double-bladed teeth.
For all of the above types, there are a number general requirements requirements for them: To effectively hit a target, the weight of small shurikens must be at least 60 g. With an increase in the diameter of the shuriken by 1 cm, the weight must increase by 10 g in direct proportion.
Some, unlike the Japanese (they initially made it from improvised means), believe that great value has also the material of manufacture. An indispensable requirement is that it must be sufficiently rigid and hard so as not to deform or collapse when meeting with a relatively rigid obstacle when thrown with the maximum effort of an adult man from a distance of 3-4 meters, it is also mandatory to check for “break” Shuriken thrown from 3 -4 meters into the training target, in the form of a wooden board, must enter the obstacle to a depth of at least 5mm
The philosophy behind making your own shuriken.
There are many commercial sites on the Internet offering beautifully made, expensive blades. In various ways, I feel that they lack the true spirit of shuriken. When you look at how blades were made historically, there are a lot of innovations that I think are often missed by most people who visit these sites. In fact, shurikens are nothing more than metal objects adapted to become throwing weapons, and they were made from improvised materials that were most accessible and cheap at that time in Japan. For example, senban shuriken, which are square-shaped blades, were made from a simple metal plate placed under the head of a nail during the construction of buildings. Since they had a shape that was already close and easy to throw, its edges were simply sharpened and it was ready for use. In the same way, bo shurikens, square and triangular in cross-section, had this shape because they were made from nails and other improvised materials. This was an expression of the search for something that was functionally available to do task at hand with a minimum amount of rework, and this was an expression of fighting spirit more than the expensive and aesthetic extravagance of perfectly made and beautiful looking blades. This mercantilism does not correspond to the Japanese idea of simplicity, naturalness and practicality, the desire to do only what is necessary and achieve without excess best results. Secondly, I think you can get a lot more satisfaction out of making your own shurikens. I'm sure the ancient ninjas, ronin and bushi made such weapons with their own hands rather than buying them from a forge or anywhere else. Part of developing this technical skill is investigating the properties various materials and different shapes, to find out which ones are best and make changes accordingly to your own products. Making your own blades also allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the weapon and the art. Looking at the incredible variety of blades that have been used in shuriken jutsu, we can see that there really is no " perfect shape", rather, what was used was something that was readily available and could, by simple sharpening, be turned into a sharp, practical and effective weapon that could be easily learned to throw with proper training.
TECHNIQUES OF THROWING
Unlike the western arrow (dart), the center of gravity of which was located closer to the pointed end, and the flight of which was really flight, the weight of the shuriken was evenly distributed over its entire area. Consequently, a special grip was required to ensure a hit on the first throw and not hit the target at an obtuse angle, which would significantly reduce the force and effectiveness of the strike.
The shuriken was held (shuriken mochikata) in the palm, pressed tightly with the thumb. It lay between the outstretched index and middle fingers. The greater the distance to the target, the deeper the shuriken was placed in the palm before throwing.
Shuriken is thrown (shuriken nagekata) with a slashing motion that starts from the shoulder and passes through the forearm to end at the fingertips. There are two main types of grip. With a direct (masugu) grip, the tip of the shuriken lying in the hand faces outward. In the reverse grip version (kaiten), the tip is turned away from the opponent and rests under the thumb.
Shuriken can be thrown with throws: top (omote), side (uoko) and bottom (gyaku). The top one is the simplest and most powerful. Side and bottom throws are not as powerful, but since they are more difficult to notice and predict, they are quite unexpected for the enemy. With any method, shuriken can be thrown straight or with a half-turn.
Shurikens are thrown from various positions (ichi). Ninjas practice throwing while standing, running, kneeling, sitting, lying on their stomach or back, as well as throwing two shuriken simultaneously in two different directions.
Epilogue
Shuriken is simply ideally designed for throwing, so it is not as difficult to do as, for example, when throwing a knife. Its design is such that it easily sticks itself in, and all its owner can do is learn how to simply get where it is needed :).
When writing the article, materials were used (C) (C) a also excerpts from the book “Armament of the Samurai” by K.S. Nosova
Thanks to this master class you will learn how to make shuriken out of paper with your own hands. This instruction includes 9 options for making ninja stars. They all differ in degree of complexity and manufacturing technique. Such crafts are great for active children's games!
Shuriken or ninja star (translated as “blade hidden in the hand”) is a hidden weapon of Japanese ninjas. It is a small round blade in the form of an ordinary thing: a star, a circle, a coin, etc. Ninja warriors used these items as auxiliary weapons.
Materials and tools
Despite the different manufacturing techniques, all master classes will require the same materials and tools:
- Paper. Colorful for scrapbooking or double-sided color is best. If you don’t have one, take standard A4 sheets or newspapers.
- Ruler.
- Stationery knife or scissors.
- Pencil or pen.
- Decorative decorations (optional).
How to make a simple shuriken from paper
This shuriken is very easy to make, even for a child.
Step 1: Prepare the Square
You can make it from a standard A4 sheet by folding it diagonally and cutting off the excess at the bottom.
Step 2: Cut the Square
We cut the square obtained in the previous step into two identical sections.
Step 3: Fold the Sections
Fold both sections in half again.
Step 4: Form the Folds
Fold each corner down diagonally. Make sure that the corners in each section are turned in opposite diagonals.
Step 5: Collect the star
Now turn the first piece over and place it on top of the second one perpendicularly (see photo below).
Fold the top edge of the bottom piece into the recess in the middle of the top piece.
Pull the top corner into the recess until it stops.
Do the same below.
Now turn the star over.
And tuck the remaining blades into the recesses.
Now this shuriken can be thrown.
Shuriken transformer
With this tutorial you will make a transformable 8-pointed ninja star. Creating such a thing is also very simple.
Step 1: Prepare the squares
Cut colored paper into squares of the same size. You can use one or two colors. Stars with rays of various shades look very beautiful.
In total, you will need 8 squares to make this craft. 4 pieces of each color.
Step 2: Make the module
Take one leaf and fold it twice diagonally and twice vertically (see the picture below).
Fold the top two corners down, using the vertical center line as a guide.
Fold the sheet with the folds inward.
Using the pleats you made earlier, fold the top right corner inward to form two folded triangles.
The first block is ready! Fold the remaining sheets in the same way. You should have 8 identical figures in your hands, 4 yellow and 4 blue.
Stage 3: assemble the craft
Insert module of blue color non-expanding edge into the middle of the module yellow color. Secure both parts together.
Insert all the parts into each other, alternating colors. Also fix them.
You will get a full circle of details of alternating shades.
Holding the circle firmly with one hand, pull the hidden “blades” forward, one at a time, with your other hand.
Transforming ninja star is ready!
8-pointed ninja star
To make this work you will need double-sided paper of various shades.
Step 1: Prepare the Squares
Cut the colored sheets into identical 10cm x 10cm squares. You will need eight squares in total.
Step 2: Make the Module
Use the diagram below to assemble the parts.
Step 3: Collect the star
According to the following diagram, carefully insert all the blocks into each other in a circle.
Assembly diagram
How to assemble:
- Initially, distribute all the blocks by shade.
- Take the first and second parts. Carefully insert the lower left corner of the second part into the inner pocket of the first part.
- Repeat in a circle.
See how simple it is!
Ninja star with 16 rays
This origami star is also very easy to make. Just keep in mind that to create it you will need to stack 16 blocks, so be patient.
Step 1: Prepare the sheets
To make rays you will need squares. You can take either ready-made sheets measuring 10 cm x 10 cm or cut them out of colored double-sided paper. In total, you will need 16 squares to complete the work.
Step 2: Make a Module
Take the first square and fold it along both diagonals.
Fold all corners towards the center as shown in the photo below.
Now place the workpiece in front of you so that its inner bends show a cross. Fold the two top flaps towards the vertical center line.
Turn the job around. Fold the blunter edge away from the left extreme point to the right extreme point.
Fold the shape in half so that the folded edges of the triangle are placed on the outside.
The first module is ready.
Using the same technique, fold the remaining 15 blocks.
Step 3: Collect Shuriken
Pick up two modules different colors. Insert the two sharp corners of one block into the small grooves inside the other block (see picture below).
Advice: If you have difficulty inserting the corners into the pockets, use a needle or tweezers to open the flaps slightly wider.
Continue adding the remaining pieces in the same manner.
Thick sheets hold their shape quite well and do not need fixing, but if you consider it necessary, fasten the parts with additional drops of glue.
Connecting the blocks is the most difficult part of the job. They may be wobbly and fall out, but once you add all 16 pieces, the craft will be very sturdy.
Beautiful shuriken made of scrap paper
With these instructions you will make beautiful star with 8 beams. To create it, you will need colorful scrapbooking sheets: patterned, velvet, plain, shiny, etc. Choose any to your taste.
Step 1: Prepare the squares
As in the previous instructions, cut the sheets into 10cm x 10cm squares or use 8 pre-made ones.
Step 2: Make the parts
Use the diagram below to assemble 8 blocks.
Module assembly diagram
Stage 3: Collect a star
Assemble the figurine according to the following diagram.
Assembly diagram
Insert all modules into each other with the indicated corners into the internal valves. In this diagram you can see the assembly process from both the top and bottom sides.
These stars look very beautiful on both sides!
Video on how to make paper shuriken with three arms
Through this video you will learn how to assemble the original ninja star with three "blades".
Video of shuriken with small rays
This little ray craft looks so cute!
Video of square shuriken
Video of a ninja star with six blades
Once you understand the nuances, you can easily create such shuriken!
Surprisingly, among huge variety Among Japanese edged weapons, the two types that have gained the greatest (one might say world-wide) fame are the traditional katana sword and the shuriken throwing stars. And if the popularity of the katana does not raise any special questions, then great fame"flying stars" seems a little inadequate. Shurikens gained their fame due to the huge number Hollywood films, telling the Western public about the invincible Japanese ninja spy warriors who, without fail, throw “stars” at their opponents.
In fact, everything is not so simple: shuriken was never exclusively a ninja weapon. In addition, in medieval Japan there were a huge number of various types of these weapons, sometimes very different from those that were replicated in cinema.
Shuriken is a fairly large group (dozens of varieties are known) of cold throwing weapons, which are intended primarily for concealed carry. Moreover, it can not only be thrown at the enemy, but also used with great success in close combat, inflicting piercing or cutting blows on the enemy. It is no wonder that the name “shuriken” itself is translated from Japanese as “a blade hidden in the hand.” In Japan, the use of shurikens developed into a separate martial art - shuriken-jutsu; it was studied (and is being studied) in the largest martial arts schools. Although, it should be noted that in the arsenal Japanese warrior this throwing weapon has always been a secondary one, a kind of addition to a sword or spear.
Ninjas indeed often used shurikens, but these weapons were no less popular among samurai.
Shurikens can be divided into two types:
- shakens;
- bo-shurikens.
The well-known “stars” belong to shaken - a large group of throwing weapons, which includes flat metal disks various shapes with a sharp cutting edge.
In Europe there were practically no analogues to the Japanese shuriken. The only exception may be the so-called German throwing cross, which was also called a throwing axe. It was in use for a very long time, from the XII-XVII centuries. Despite this, this weapon practically unknown to the general public, moreover, it is not mentioned in any work of art. It is believed that this weapon was “ignoble”, that is, it was not used by knights, so after the end of the Middle Ages it was completely forgotten.
Shurikens have now become a fashionable toy in the USA and Europe; they can easily be bought at any gun store. It is not difficult to make this weapon yourself; there is enough material on this topic on the Internet. However, we should not forget that shuriken is a rather dangerous weapon and should be treated as such. By Russian legislation, if the length of the beam of the “ninja star” exceeds 8 mm, then the shuriken is already considered a melee weapon and its owner may have serious problems. In some countries, the sale of shurikens is generally prohibited by law.
Story
In Japan, unlike, for example, medieval Europe or the ancient world, throwing weapons were not very common. Medieval tracts describe how warriors hit opponents by throwing a wide variety of objects at them: bow arrows or short wakidazashi swords.
The oldest Japanese written treatise, the Kojiki, describes how to correctly throw stones at an enemy; in other ancient sources you can find instructions on throwing arrows. The first mention of shuriken is found in the War Tale of Osaka Castle. One of the heroes of this work, the warrior Tadamasa, later became the founder of the art of throwing shuriken - shuriken-jutsu.
IN early periods Japanese history the most popular projectiles were ordinary stones. They were thrown at the enemy simply with their hands or using the traditional Japanese sling, ishihajiki. And we are not just talking about individual fights. In ancient chronicles you can often find descriptions of the use of stones in quite significant battles. IN Japanese armies existed special units stone throwers, and the use of this simple throwing projectile was called “inji-uchi”, which means “stone-throwing combat”. Warriors who used stones to defeat the enemy were called “advanced stone throwers” (mukai tsubute no mono). Apparently, they walked ahead of the army and fired at the enemy infantry (like slingers among the Romans).
Later - from about the 13th century - simple stones began to be supplemented with special metal throwing projectiles, which were called inji-yari, and were shaped like a spear tip. It is likely that the ballistic and penetrating characteristics of the new weapon were significantly higher than those of ordinary cobblestones. Around the 16th century, another type of Japanese throwing weapon appeared - tsubute, which were sharpened metal plates square or polygonal shape.
Tsubute was a very popular weapon; it is also mentioned in the so-called ninja treatises. It was difficult to kill with its help, especially an armored enemy, but it was easy to inflict a wound by hitting an unprotected area of the body or simply distract the enemy.
There is an assumption that it was the inji-yari that became the predecessors of the bo-shuriken, and the shakien stars “came” from the tsubute plates. This assumption is confirmed even by the translation of the word “shuriken” - “a blade hidden in the hand.” It is likely that the first shurikens resembled an elongated blade rather than a polygonal sharpened star.
There is another version of the origin of shurikens. According to her, these weapons originated from ordinary household items that people thought of using for defense or attack. This hypothesis can be confirmed by the fact that many types of shuriken retained the names of their “ancestors” in their names: kugi-gata (in the shape of a nail), ari-gata (in the shape of a needle), tango-gata (in the shape of a knife).
One way or another, by the middle of the Edo Era, shuriken-jutsu - or throwing shurikens - had become a fairly popular and developed martial art. Where and how it originated still remains a mystery to historians.
The popularity of shurikens in Medieval Japan It’s not difficult to explain, because this weapon was relatively simple, very cheap and at the same time quite effective. In addition, shurikens were perfect for concealed wear (it was not for nothing that shinobi ninjas loved them so much), so with the help of shuriken it was always possible to unpleasantly “surprise” the enemy. Steel of medium quality was suitable for the manufacture of these weapons, and the qualifications of the blacksmith may not have been the highest. In addition, shurikens can also be used in close combat, when there are no other options left.
Sometimes they applied to the surface of shurikens various signs, they were usually mystical in nature and intended for more effective use this weapon.
Description of weapons, their classification and application features
It is quite difficult to describe any “average” shuriken, because this weapon has many faces. In addition to the well-known “stars”, there were other forms of shurikens, reminiscent of blades, rods, needles, etc. As mentioned above, shurikens can be divided into two large groups: bo-shuriken and shaken.
Bo-shuriken are throwing weapons shaped like a rod, which could have a round, tetrahedral or polygonal cross-section. They were made of steel and could be sharpened on one or both sides. There were also bo-shuriken, the shape of which resembled the tip of a spear or a small knife. The length of bo-shuriken varied from 10 to 25 cm, and weight - from 25 to 150 grams. Currently, more than 50 varieties of this weapon are known.
Bo-shurikens were thrown in different ways. This art was studied in many samurai schools, each of which had its own characteristics of using this weapon. However general technology was similar. The pointed rod of the bo-shuriken was clamped between the thumb and index finger so that its blunt end rested against the palm, and the hand was sharply thrown in the direction of the enemy. The ideal trajectory for such a throw is a straight line. Sometimes the weapon was adjusted. Rods sharpened at both ends were easier to throw. The weapon could be thrown from behind the head, from the chest, from the side or from below. It is believed that such a combat rod could be thrown seven to eight meters.
It should be noted that bo-shuriken were more popular among samurai, and shyaken stars were actually more used by ninjas.
Shakens are flat disks with a pointed edge, which could also have the most different shapes and sizes. Second Japanese name This throwing weapon is the kuruma-ken, which can be translated as “wheel sword.” The thickness of shakens could vary: from insignificant (about 1 mm) to quite decent (up to 3 mm). Plates of smaller thickness and diameter were easier to throw, and accordingly their “rate of fire” was higher. However, compared to heavier shakens, they had a shorter flight range and penetrating ability. The best shakens had different thickness, it decreased from the center to the edges. Such a “star” had better ballistics, but it was more difficult to manufacture. Very often, a hole was made in the center of the shaken, which improved the ballistic properties of this weapon, and also made it possible to carry them on a rope and make it easier to pull them out of any objects (for example, from a tree or an enemy’s head).
During the flight, the shaken was given rotational movement, which improved the accuracy and range of the throw. By the way, in terms of their combat characteristics, shakens were superior to bo-shurikens; the flight range of the stars reached fifteen meters.
Today more than fifty types of shaken are known. The shape of these weapons could be very different, ranging from sharpened metal squares to complex multi-beam stars. Shakens were usually thrown in series, trying to inflict several wounds on the enemy at once. According to ancient sources, the master could throw up to five “stars” at the enemy in 10-15 seconds. Considering maximum range flight of this weapon, then the warrior usually had only a few seconds before the enemy approached striking distance bladed weapons. Often cutting edge Shakens were coated with poison; ninjas especially liked to use this technique.
By the way, in treatises on ninjutsu there are practically no descriptions of techniques for using shuriken. Researchers cannot explain this fact. Either this weapon was so secret that they were afraid to entrust information about it to paper, or each master had his own unique technique for throwing “stars” and personally passed it on to his students. Well, the fact that the ninja masterfully wielded shuriken is beyond doubt. Shadow warriors could throw them from any position: standing, lying, kneeling, along any trajectories.