Secrets of Shuriken-Do - The Art of Blade Throwing.pdf - Ninjutsu - proezekiel666

Introduction to shuriken , and a short History of the Art

There are two basic types of shuriken, bo shuriken , or long thin blades, and hira

shuriken (also called shaken ), or flat, star-shaped or lozenge-shaped blades.

The basic method of throwing of the shuriken varies little between schools, the main

differences being the shape of the blades and their use.

Origins

The earliest mention of throwing blades comes from Ganritsu Ryu, founded by

Matsubayashi Henyasai, a professional swordsman in service of the 18th lord of

Matsuhiro in Kanei, around 1624. This school gave rise to Katono, or Izu Ryu, founded

by a samurai of Sendai, called Fujita Hirohide of Katono, also known as Katono Izu,

who was a student of Mastubayashi. He pioneered the use of a throwing needle, about

10cm in length and weighing about 20gm, several of which he wore in his hair. The

needle was held between the middle and forefinger, and thrown like a modern dart into

the eyes of an attacker. It was said that he could throw two needles at a time at a

picture of a horse, hitting each hoof in turn.

Enmei Ryu

The famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was reportedly the founder of this school,

which involves throwing a 40cm blade, probably a tanto , or knife. There is a story of a

duel between Musashi and Shishido, an expert of the kusari-gama , a sickle and chain

developed specifically to defeat the samurai's sword. As Shishido pulled out his chain,

Musashi threw a dagger and struck him in the chest, killing him.

Shirai Ryu

Shirai Ryu was founded by Shirai Toru Yoshikane, born 1783 in Okayama. At the age of

8 he began to learn swordsmanship under Ida Shimpachiro of Kiji-ryu, and at 14 moved

to Tokyo and trained daily under the Nakanishi school of Itto Ryu sword, and began

teaching in Okayama at 23. Over 9 years his fame spread and he had over 300

students, but he continued to doubt his ability. In the subsequent years he returned to

Edo a number of times to train with his seniors, until eventually he achieved some sort

of major revelation and found peace with his technique. After this revelation, he added

the word Tenshin to the name of his art, thus known as Tenshin Itto Ryu. The style of

blade and throwing method he taught became known as Shirai Ryu.

The blade of Shirai Ryu is a metal rod 15cm to 25 cm in length and about 5-6mm in

diameter. It is sharpened at one end and rounded at the other.(see fig. 2 )

Figure 2. Shuriken of the Shirai Ryu

It is held in the hand by forming a guide with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers. The little

finger gives extra support and the thumb holds the blade in place. The feeling of the

hand when holding and throwing is said to be gentle, like holding a swallows egg so as

not to break it. (see fig. 3 ). Depending upon the distance to be thrown, the blade is held

with the point outwards towards the target, or inwards to the palm.

Figure 3. Holding the shuriken of the Shirai Ryu

Fig 4. A variation in the hold of Shirai Ryu, for long blades.

Negishi Ryu

Negishi Ryu was founded by Negishi Nobunori Shorei, a retainer of Joshu Annaka

during the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate. Negishi became a student of Kaiho

Hanpei, the second master of Hokushin Itto Ryu sword, after showing promise with the

use of a shinai as a child. He studied other schools such as Araki Ryu and spear of

Oshima Ryu, eventually becoming the head of the Kaiho Ryu, and later taught for

several years. When the Meiji Restoration ordered the abolition of swords, he became a

farmer, and passed away in 1904.

The basic blade shape of the Negishi Ryu is a projectile shaped pen that has an

enlarged head and tail, like a slender bomb. (see fig.5 ) They weigh around 50gm, and

sometimes have a tassel of hair or cotton attached to the tail to assist straight flight.

Figure 5. Shuriken of the Negishi Ryu

Much like the method of Shirai Ryu, it is held in the hand with the fingers acting as a

guide, and the thumb locks it in place.(see fig. 6)

Figure 6. Holding the shuriken of the Negishi Ryu

Jikishin Ryu

Not much is known about Jikishin Ryu, and it is suspected that this is a variation in style

of a precursor to Shirai or Negishi Ryu, though I suspect it may be from Kashima Shinto

Ryu, as this method of holding is best thrown as one steps forward with the right foot.

The major difference is in the way the blade is held ( see fig 7 ). The 3 smaller fingers are

curled, while the index finger points out straight, as though making a gun shape with the

hand. The blade sits with its butt in the palm and the thumb applies slight pressure from

above, downwards, holding it in place on the side of the curled middle finger, and

holding the tail down as it leaves the hand. The index finger then rests on the side of the

blade, providing support. The throw is a simple raising and lowering of the arm from the

side as a step is taken forward, the arm cuts down as if it were a sword.

Figure 7. Holding the shuriken of the Jikishin Ryu

Other styles and types of shuriken

There are other less well known styles of shuriken, and a huge variety of blade shapes.

Here are some more examples.

Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-Ryu

This style is one of the most famous martial arts of Japan, with a long and distinguished

history. It is a composite art consisting of many weapons, sword and shuriken included.

As with many other schools, the shuriken was taught as part of the techniques for

sword. There are descriptions of two different blades. One is hashi , or chopstick

shaped, where it is a square stick, sharp at one end and thick at the other ( see Fig. 9 ).

Secrets of Shuriken-Do - The Art of Blade Throwing.pdf

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