is a traditional Japanese martial art (kobudō) which specializes in blade throwing.
History
The development of shurikenjutsu peaked during Japan's peaceful Edo period (1603-1868).
Supplementary teachings were added to the curriculums of numerous schools, such as those specializing in Japanese swordsmanship and polearm fighting.
Shurikenjutsu was considered by most schools to be its final teaching, and was therefore reserved for disciples who had mastered the school's extensive core curriculum.
This exclusivity later led to the near extinction of shurikenjutsu, as the art had been shrouded in secrecy and reserved for only a select few.
Japan's first historically recorded school of shurikenjutsu was the Ganritsu Ryu (c.1625). Like many, this school had a comprehensive curriculum that included kenjutsu, iaijutsu, sojutsu, bojutsu, naginatajutsu, jujutsu and shurikenjutsu.
This school employed a direct-flight method of throwing, known as jiki-daho. In contrast to rotational throwing methods (han-ten/kai-ten) found in China, the jiki-daho method was unique to Japan.
Today, Japan's last remaining specialist school of shurikenjutsu is the Negishi Ryu, which has an aggregated history spanning 4 centuries.
Usage
The use of a concealed throwing weapon allowed for tactical advantages, such as closing the gap or retreating from danger.
These were advanced-level skills, handed down within samurai feudal clans and ninja factions. Shuriken were used tactically and in conjunction with other primary weapons, such as the sword.
Shuriken
The shuriken were slim, needle-like darts that could be easily concealed in the hair (samurai's top-knot).
Generally speaking, shuriken can be divided into 2 general categories:
Stick-shuriken
Known as Bō-shuriken (棒手裏剣) in Japanese, were modelled on traditional Japanese nails or needles, such as those used to weave and construct the armor of the samurai. Most commonly they were either round or square in shape.
The Negishi Ryu shuriken, which evolved from the original Ganritsu Ryu shuriken, has an 8-sided (octagonal) head. Bo-shuriken were usually single-pointed, as you would expect a nail or a needle to be, but some double-pointed variations did exist.
Bō-shuriken were commonly thrown with the right hand, as samurai always wore their swords on the left. The throwing method employed was either direct-flight, half-spin or full-spin.
Shuriken were launched vertically, horizontally and diagonally, using over or underarm methods.