The Many Shapes of Shuriken
The shuriken is a traditional Japanese weapon used primarily from the Sengoku period through the Edo period. While widely associated with ninja tools, shurikenjutsu—the martial art of throwing blades—also developed among samurai and has been passed down through various schools of martial arts.
Shuriken were mainly used for self-defense or to distract enemies: to halt their movement, inflict injury, or buy time to escape. In some cases, blades were coated with poison to increase lethality, making shuriken effective assassination tools for ninja on covert missions.
Shuriken come in a wide variety of shapes, embodying the resourcefulness of the ninja. Here are nine representative types:
A simple triangular shuriken with three evenly spaced blades. It is easy to throw and has a stable flight, making it a beginner-friendly design.
A four-pointed shuriken with a diamond-shaped design, categorized under shihō shuriken. Due to its shape, it is also known as itomaki (“spool”). Heavier than other shuriken, it allows for a powerful attack capable of taking down an opponent in a single blow.
One of the most familiar forms, featuring four blades arranged in a cross shape. Some variations include diamond-shaped designs for greater impact.
Shaped like the character for “ten” (十), this type includes versions with needle-like pointed tips or arrowhead-shaped blades, customized by each ninja for usability.
Designed to injure enemies, this shuriken features six blades arranged evenly around its center. Some versions have spiral-shaped edges that enable them to cut or pierce regardless of the direction of rotation.
Featuring eight blades radiating from the center like a star, this type boasts a high hit rate thanks to its many edges. It was often used as a poisoned weapon.
A unique design inspired by the manji (卍) symbol, a sign of good fortune in Buddhism. Its shape is designed to cause deep wounds, tearing into flesh upon impact.
A larger shuriken with ten blades. The numerous points increase the chances of hitting a target and allow attacks from multiple angles, though individual blades tend to have lower striking power.
A shuriken made from a rod with a sharpened tip. Though its shape is simple, throwing it accurately requires a high level of skill. Once mastered, however, it offers excellent accuracy and can inflict serious damage on an enemy.
Sources
・”Ninja and Ninjutsu Definitive Edition” Gakken etc.
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