Traditional Shuriken schools

Schools of shuriken
With the exception of Negishi Ryu, and perhaps one or two others, Shuriken jutsu was not taught as a single art belonging to its own school or style, although even Negishi Ryu in the past was taught alongside a sword art, typically Yamamoto Ryu. When we say "schools of shuriken", we are really talking about a combative art that would include a grappling art along with several weapons, particularly sword, and which happens to have a shuriken component as well.

Various schools however, were inclined to use their own particular individual designs for shuriken, and had their own exclusive techniques and methods for teaching them. These techniques were passed down within the ranks of the school, generation by generation, and they developed an individual personality different to the techniques and methods of other schools. When a sword art dies out, the techniques and methods of teaching die with the last proponents, and we are left with only the swords. By observing the design and manufacture of a sword, it is not possible to discern which school the sword was peculiar to, as many schools would use the same design. However with shuriken, where we have many schools that have indeed died out, and we are left with uniquely shaped tools of the art, we can however, discern the name of the school by observing the blade's design. For this reason, while we cannot say a particular sword is representative of a particular school of swordsmanship, we can identify a particular shuriken as being from a particular school, based on its design. So in light of this, it is not a futile exercise to categorise various shuriken by their associated school, as some people today have suggested. And for the interests of preserving traditions of the past, I think it is necessary to maintain this system of nomenclature.

An early mention of specifically throwing blades comes from Ganritsu Ryu, founded by Matsubayashi Samanosuke Nagayoshi "Henyasai", a professional swordsman in service of the 18th lord of Matsuhiro in the 20th year of Kanei (1644). Ganryu was the stylistic name assumed by Matsubayashi, and he was sometimes called "henyasai" as he had an unusual ability of hopping and jumping around his opponent, sometimes "brushing the rafters with his kimono".. The school included Iai, Tachi-Uchi (sword fighting method), Kodachi, Jo, Naginata, Yari, Kumi-Uchi (wrestling) and Shuriken.

Mr Shirakami states that the blade of this school is not known, however a video on Negishi Ryu Shuriken-jutsu produced by Nippon Budokan shows a blade similar to the one below (see fig. 1) and specifically states it as being a Ganritsu Ryu blade. It is highly possible that this blade, and the throwing method associated with it was either copied or imported from China, as it resembles both the shape and throwing method of a Chinese dart called the "piau" (or fei biao "air dart"), in use during the Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD) (more info offsite here) Also see Qin Dynasty crossbow bolt (previous page)

Figure 1. A needle type shuriken of Ganritsu Ryu.(according the Nihon Budokai Shurikenjutsu video)
This shape is also very similar to the Chinese "piau", or throwing needle.

Figure 2. Another needle type shuriken of Ganritsu Ryu, according to
Fujita Seiko in "Zukai Shurikenjutsu".

Katono Ryu, (or Izu Ryu) ,
This school was founded by a samurai of Sendai-han, called Fujita Hirohide of Katono, also known as Katono Izu, who served around 1764 -1780. Katono was a student of Matsubayashi Henyasai of Ganritsu Ryu, and learned kendo, shuriken, as well as Ganritsu Ryu techniques from him. He pioneered the use of a throwing needle, about 10cm in length and weighing about 20gm, which was used in the manufacture of the helmet, armour, and leather mask. The needle, several of which he wore in his hair, was held between the middle and forefinger, and thrown into the eyes of an attacker. Apparently, Katono said that if he was able to blind an attacker, there would be no reason to fear them. It was said that he could throw two needles at a time at a picture of a horse, hitting each hoof in turn. Listed in Iwai Kohoku's "Hidden Weapons" as using the blade depicted below (see fig 4) called "mesu gata",.

Figure 3. Needle type shuriken of Izu Ryu. (Fujita Seiko "Zukai Shurikenjutsu")

Figure 4. Mesu gata shuriken of Izu Ryu, from Iwai Kohoku's "Hidden Weapons".

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 then studied swordsmanship of other schools such as Araki Ryu, taught by his father Negishi Sentoku, and spear of Oshima Ryu, but he returned to Hanpei, 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. Kaiho Hanpei was also a student of the Katono Ryu shurikenjutsu, and hence we can see that Negishi Ryu descended directly from Ganritsu Ryu. The similarity in shape between Negishi Ryu blades and Ganritsu Ryu blades is evident in the bulbous head and tapering shaft. The successor to Negishi Shorei was Tonegawa Magoroku (also called Tonegawa Sonoroku Masatoshi), (1850 - 1939), who was succeeded by Kanji Naruse (also Narusei) (1888 - 1948). For a brief period, 4th headmaster role was pased onto Isamu Maeda Sensei, who transferred the title in 1959 to current headmaster, Satoshi Saito Sensei 1922 - ). In interview, Saito Sensei has stated that his successor will be Mr. Yoshimi Tomabechi, but there have also been reports that his successor will be Yoshinori Kono Sensei. (to be confirmed). There is also a report that 2nd headmaster, Tonegawa also studied under Shirai Toru Yoshikane, but this is possibly not true, as Shirai Toru passed away in 1843.

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.4-5), and can weigh between 47 - 74gm. According to Someya Sensei, there are two types, one where the shaft of the blade narrows in the middle, and widens towards the tail (Type 1 - fig.4), and the other where the shaft narrows towards the tail, (Type 2 - see fig. 5 ) and sometimes has a eye-hole shaped hook attached to the base. The Type 1 blades generally have either string, or paper wrapped and held together by lacquer, around the shaft, in order to create a rough surface which causes friction against the fingers as it leaves the hand. This is to enable the thrower to limit the forward rotation of the tail end towards the tip, thus assisting in longer distance flight. The Type 2 blades generally have animal hair (see fig. 7, below), or a tassle of strings (see fig. 5, below) attached at the tail end of the shaft, to create drag in flight, which also assists in straight flight. Mr Shirakami mentions that as the student throws this type of blade, his throws are at first rather wild, and the long hair assists a straight flight, but over time, the hair wears off and becomes shorter, while at the same time the students throw becomes more comfortable and accurate, thus compensating for the lack of hair.

Figure 4. Negishi Ryu shuriken Type 1, showing tail wrapped in string.
(from the cover of Someya Sensei's book "Shuriken Giho")

Figure 5. Negishi Ryu shuriken Type 2 showing tassle attached to tail
(From Otsuka Sensei's Meifu Shinakge Ryu Shurikenjutsu website)

Some people suggest that the wrapping of material around the blade changes the balance of the blade, thus assisting either a shorter or further distance throw, however the weight shift caused by adding by such material is negligible when compared to the weight of blade itself and the force used in the throw. The balance of the blade, whether for shorter or long distance throws is determined rather, by the actual shape of the blade. As can be seen from the many examples shown here, the size of the bulbous head and the length of the shaft are what determines the balance of the blade. Thus it is in the nature of the Negishi Ryu blade whether it is a long distance or short distance thrower, unlike the Shirai Ryu, who can throw long or short distance by adjusting the throwing technique, regardless of the nature of the blade.

Figure 6. Negishi Ryu shuriken, Type 2

Figure 7. A shuriken (Type 2) of the Negishi Ryu, showing attached pigskin/hair tail (Click image to view large)
From the collection of Charles V. Gruzanski
(photo courtesy of Robert C. Gruzanski, used with permission)

Figure 8. A modern day Japanese made Negishi Ryu blade, with a conveniently constructed knob
on the tail around which a tassel can be more easily fitted.

Shirai Ryu was founded by Shirai Toru Yoshikane, born 1783 in Okayama and died in 1843, aged 61. 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. According to Satoshi Saito Sensei, current headmaster of Negishi Ryu, the Shirai Ryu became a lost art, ie. no-one who practiced it remained alive, and that he began a study of the art and revived it. Shirai Ryu techniques are now taught by Saito Sensei as part of Negishi Ryu training.(2) According to Yoshinori Kono, although Shirai Toru left no official successor, his students "gathered together to practice among themselves" (3)

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. 7-8). They consist of both round and square cross sections, the differences no doubt due to the origin of their source material - needles for the round type, nails for the square.

Figure 11. Shuriken of the Shirai Ryu, (click to view large)
From the collection of the late Charles V. Gruzanski
(photo courtesy of Robert C. Gruzanski, used with permission)

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

Araki Ryu

No information on their shuriken techniques available at present. The blade in fig. 12 shows the shape thought to be used in Araki Ryu, taken from a screen shot of the Negishi Ryu Shurikenjutsu video produced by the Nihon Budokai, which is te-yari gata shuriken. A te-yari is a short hand spear, similar to uchine, but not intended to be thrown. It has a 25-30cm blade attached to a wooden haft. The shuriken is named so as it is shaped like the blade portion of the te-yari. Fujita Seiko has this type of blade listed as belonging to Tanba Ryu and Chishin Ryu below. To confuse matters, Fujita Seiko lists only the blade shown in Fig. 14, an Onkobushi (lit. trans. "Yin Fist") as being of the Araki Ryu, and not the te-yari blade .

Figure 12. An Araki Ryu shuriken, thought to have derived from the "te-yari", a type
of short throwing spear, similar to uchine. About 17cms long.

Figure 13. Hoko gata (spear shaped) shuriken, listed by
Yumio Nawa Sensei as Araki Ryu blades.

Chishin Ryu
According to Mr Shirakami, this style is descended from Takemura Ryu (see below). A student of Takemura, by the name of Iijima Hyobei (Iijima Ichibei?) further developed these techniques, which were then passed on to Dogen Tasaemon, who passed it on to Niki Juemon and then on to Asano Denemon, finishing with Tanba Orie Ujinaga (who presumably was the last headmaster of the art). It is interesting to note that the name of the last headmaster is Tanba, suggesting a connection between Chishin Ryu and Tanba Ryu, about which nothing is known at this stage. Furthermore, the throwing style of Musashi was said to be the turning hit, with a tanto-gata (knife shaped blade), whereas the Chishin Ryu blade in its final form is a kugi-gata (nail shaped blade), to be thrown with the Negishi Ryu style direct hit throw. Under what circumstances did the tanto-gata shuriken of Takemura Ryu change into a kugi-gata shuriken of Chishin Ryu? It seems as though there is a discrepancy in the history at some stage.

Someya Sensei describes the blade (see pic below, and also design) in his book, as being 16cms in length. A Chishin Ryu blade in the author's possession also measures 13.5cms. An interesting feature of the Chishin Ryu stance is that the right foot is forward as opposed to the left stance used in the majority of the other styles. Also, a distinguishing feature of the blade itself is the pyramidal finish to the butt end.

Figure 15. Shuriken of the Chishin Ryu
(photo courtesy of Robert C. Gruzanski, used with permission)

Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu
According to a student of the Abashiri Dojo in Hokkaido, Sokaku Takeda Sensei was a master of Negishi Ryu shuriken. Daito Ryu is the foundation art from which Morihei Ueshiba Sensei developed Aikido. Historical sources state that Takeda Sensei carried a pair of metal chopsticks which he was able to throw like shuriken. One source has stated that Daito Ryu uses the projectile shaped Negishi Ryu blades, although students of Abashiri Dojo are taught shuriken rather informally at present, and practice with bo shuriken constructed from large rounded nails 15cm in length (see Fig. 17), thrown outside against old tatamai, or traditional matting. It seems the art is going through somewhat of a revival in recent times

Figure 17. Simple bo shuriken made from nails, used for practice at Abashiri Dojo, Hokkaido.
(photo courtesy Giacomo Merello, used with permission)

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. According to Meik Skoss, Enmei Ryu is no longer extant. Bugei Ryuha Daijiten lists Enmei Ryu as having a jujutsu component, added by one of Musashi's students.

Chikatoshi Someya Sensei, late headmaster of Meifu Shinkage Ryu Shurikenjutsu, depicts a tanto-gata as the blade used in Enmei Ryu.
More information added as it comes to hand.

Figure 18. Shuriken of the Enmei Ryu, tanto-gata, Japanese knives adapted to become shuriken

Hirano Densho Ryu Toukenjutsu
This is a modern school, founded by a Mr. Ohmi., who, I believe, was a student of the now defunct Hakkaku Ryu. The art is characterised by utilising very powerful throws, with both left and right hand alternately, and the blades are large , heavy (about 150gm), forged and polished with a very sharp edge, to a unique design. Visit their website here.

Iga Ryu

Refers to a collection of traditional arts, including jujutsu and buki-waza (weaponry), as well as Ninpo, confined historically to the Iga-Ueno region in central Honshu, Japan, with close ties to Koga Ryu, basically an identical art confined to the Koga region. Iga Ryu utilised a wide variety of blades in the shuriken component of their art, mainly shaken, although they do possess a uniquely shaped blade called "Matsuba gata" (Pine needle shaped), or "Enbi-ken" (swallow-tail blade). Along with being thrown as a weapon, the blade served several other functions, much like a pocket knife.

Figure 21. An illustration of the "Swallow Tail blade" of Iga Ryu, from Fujita Seiko's "Zukai Shuriken jutsu"

Figure 22. The method of holding the "Swallow Tail blade" for throwing.
(photo courtesy of Danny Fletcher)

Ikku Ryu, or Ikku-ken
Ikku-ken is the name given to a relatively modern style of shuriken, created in 1965 by modern day shuriken master, and author Shirakami Eizo. Mr Shirakami was born in Tokyo in 1921, sadly passed away in 2001, and although he did have some students over the years, he apparently left no successor as head of this Ryu. He was a student of Master Naruse Kanji (d. 1948), the 3rd headmaster of Negishi Ryu shurikenjutsu who had also trained in Yamamoto Ryu sword, and had written a book on Japanese Sabre Fighting after his experiences at war with China at the turn of the century. Master Naruse was a student of Yonegawa Magoroku who in turn was a student of the above mentioned founder of Shirai Ryu, Shirai Toru. Mr Shirakami began shuriken training in 1938 under Mr Naruse, and learned both Shirai Ryu and Negishi Ryu, and combined the blade from the Shirai Ryu with the throwing style of the Negishi Ryu, and formed a new method, which involves a double pointed blade (see fig. 23), This method overcomes the problem of positioning the blade the right way round in the hand before throwing, giving greater flexibility in distance. Mr Shirakami also learned kenjutsu of the Hokushin Itto Ryu under his uncle, General Hayashi Senjuro, and archery (including uchine) of the Heki Ryu, from another uncle, Miyamura Chizuka.

Figure 23. Shuriken of the Ikku Ryu (to be confirmed)
Click image to view enlarged
(photo courtesy of Robert C. Gruzanski, used with permission)

Note: Mr Shirakami writes that it was his innovation to make use of the double pointed blade, so one could throw either Negishi or Shirai Ryu style throws, without having to change one's blade, or without having to adjust the positioning of the blade in the hand. Are we to assume from this that he developed the double pointed blade? Perhaps something was lost in the translation I am not sure, but the double ended shuriken has been around for quite some time. This needs some research.

Itto Ryu
Itto Ryu Kenjutsu, and several of its substyles, figure heavily in the lives of several prominent innovators of shuriken. Negishi Shorei, founder of Negishi Ryu Shurikenjutsu, was a student of Kaiho Hanpei, the 2nd headmaster of Hokushin Itto Ryu. Shorei originally learned Annaka-ha Araki Ryu kenjutsu from his father, Negishi Sentoku, but he also learned both kenjutsu and shurikenjutsu from Hanpei. Hanpei, who studied shurikenjutsu under Katono Izu (Fujita Hirohide), also studied Itto Ryu under Chiba Shusaku Narimasa, who created the Hokushin line by mixing Hokushin Muso Ryu and Nakanishi Itto Ryu. Nakanishi Itto Ryu was studied by Shirai Toru Yoshikane, who founded later Tenshin Itto Ryu, and his shuriken jutsu, although strictly speaking was part of Itto Ryu, came to be popularly known as Shirai Ryu. Itto Ryu is said to use the round sectioned blade, similar to the subsequent Shirai Ryu style of blade. It is interesting to note that it is said of Negishi Shorei that he filed the round needles to make the octagonal blades that is characteristic of Negishi Ryu.

The throws in both Shirai Ryu and Negishi Ryu utilise a vertical downward action, through the body's centreline, similar to the sword cut kiri-otoshi, a once secret cutting technique peculiar to Itto Ryu.

Itto Ryu is one of the major influences on kenjutsu throughout Japanese sword history, and I suspect, although it is not verified at the moment, that Itto Ryu has also played an important part in the dissemination of the early shuriken art.

Jitsuyo Ryu or Kobu Jitsuyo Ryu, Chuko Shinkan-Ryu

Not much reliable information on this school available at present, however Fujita listed it among his list of schools in Zukai Shurikenjutsu . Jitsuyo means "pragmatic use". The founder was Hirayama Kozosen, (or Hiraiyama Kozo Hisomu, also Hirayama Gyozo), (1759 - 1828) born into a family who functioned as Iga-gumi or guards in the Iga area, and was succeeded by Soma Taisaku. Under Saito Sandayu he studied the Naganuma school of military strategy, from Matsushita Kiyokuro the spear-fighting methods of Oshima-ryu, from great wrestler Shibukawa Bungoro Tokihide the jujutsu and iai-jutsu of Shibukawa-ryu, from Yinokami Ryuzaemon the firearm shooting of Buei-ryu school. Also he studied horseback riding, archery and swimming. Hirayama's sword-fencing teacher was Yamada Mohei from Shinnuki-Ryu. Also Yamada was the third-generation grandmaster of the Untyu-ryu (spelling?) school of kenjutsu. Hirayama also studied kenjutsu of other schools, including Shinto Isshin-ryu. Hirayama's treatises "Kensetsu" ("Meaning of fencing") and "Kentyo" ("Collection about fencing") are the treasure of bujutsu.

The essence of the system Hirayama described in the beginning of "Kensetsu": "My kenjutsu is served to punish enemies by death". Tyuko Shinkan-ryu was ultimately combat-oriented and completely negated competitions. Apparently all their weaponry was thick and heavy duty, designed to penetrate armour and dismount riders. For training fights they used bamboo shinai, but didn't use protectors. Opponents used standard 1-metre shinai, but students a short sword (only 40 cm with handle!). Fighters of Tyuko Shinkan-ryu tried to immediately came close to enemy and stroke him by sword, hands and legs. Yumio Nawa depicts the blade below as representative of this school.

Kashima-Shinryu
Founded in the late fifteenth century, the Kashima-Shinryu is one of the oldest martial systems in Japan. Although training focuses on the use of the sword, Kashima-Shinryu is a composite art, consisting of twelve disciplines including kenjutsu, naginata (halberd); sojutsu (spear), bo (staff) jo (short staff), hojo-jutsu (rope tying techniques) a form of grappling called goshin jutsu, and others, such as shuriken-jutsu. A recent video has been produced by this school which features, among a few other obscure weapons, a shuriken component.

Fig 25. The Kashima Shin Ryu shuriken is a slightly tapered square blade, about 12cm long,
with an octagonal tapered tip, about 3cm long.

The shuriken of Kashima Shinryu resembles the blade of Ryu, it is about 12cms long, 1.5cms at its widest point, tapering down to about 8mm at the tail end. The tip is octagonal, with a 2.5 cm taper.

The method of throw is the choku-da-ho, or "direct hit" method, though the hanare, or exit of the blade from the hand differs from that of Negishi Ryu. In Kashima Shinryu, the blade is held in a slight angle across the palm, with the tip resting over the first finger. The throw mimics the kesa-giri, or "collar-cut" style of the sword, but as the blade leaves the hand, the hand slightly pushes forward, and the fleshy part of the base of the thumb pushes against the tail, thus inhibiting the natural tendency of the blade to turn. For short distance throws, the blade is pushed further up the hand, towards the fingers, and for longer distance throws, the blade is pushed further down, closer to the centre of the palm. This method is quite contrasted with the Negishi Ryu method of stroking the tail of the blade with the middle finger as it leaves the hand.

Katori Shinto Ryu - Sugino line
A branch of Katori Shinto Ryu under Yoshio Sugino. Sugino sensei was regarded as Japan's last great swordsman, as was famous for helping the choreography on Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai". Shurikenjutsu is still taught today as part of the curriculum.

Yoshio Sugino shihan, 10th dan (1904-1998)
Photo courtesy of Kristoffer Sandven, Yuishinkan Sugino Dojo, Tokyo

Koden Ryu

A form of ju-jutsu, said to be of Korean origin, extant in Japan as early as 7th Century AD. (Seems very early) Source: http://www.vpuma.com/styles/jujutsu.html , Finn. They are very distinctive in appearance, being called "kunai gata". Kunai come in a variety of shapes, and appear to be a rather versatile utility tool, used for purposes such as digging implements and climbing aids. They were apparently originally used in "kumi-uchi", an early battlefield grappling art, as a hand held item for prying open an opponent's armour. Perhaps their use as a throwing weapon was realised, and thus the technique was passed on and came to be known as Koden Ryu Shuriken. Fujita Seiko shows the following as blades of Koden Ryu in "Zukai Shurikenjutsu".

Koga Ryu
Refers to the martial systems that were practiced around Koga prefecture, Japan. Probably not a ryu as such, rather a general term for a number of various arts known to the region. Fujita Seiko was reportedly the last headmaster of this system. He died in a car accident with three of his students in the 1960's. Not long before this however, he had donated a large part of his martial arts collection, including shuriken, to the Koga City Ninja Museum. (see also Iga Ryu, Shingetsu Ryu)

Kukishinden Tenshin Hyoho
Kukishin Ryu is another ancient and comprehensive fighting art that traces its beginnings back to the 1300's, and teaches a variety of weapons and hand techniques. They use 7.5cm square flat plates of sharpened steel called "teppan", which are said to be thrown against warriors with armour, a technique reminiscent of the tsubute of ancient times. They are lozenge shaped with a square hole in the centre, as seen in Fig. 50(r) below. In some of the Kukishin documents there is mention of such plates reaching up to 12cm in diameter. They also use the "kozuka" or swordsman's utility knife, as well as normal "bo-shuriken".(FIg. 27)

Fig. 27. A bo shuriken of the Kukishin Ryu, of the needle type called "uchibari" (

)

Masaki Ryu
In one of his books, Yumio Nawa Sensei, current headmaster of Masaki Ryu Manrikigusari jutsu, pictures this blade as being of the school, however this may be an error in publication. A student of Nawa Sensei has confirmed that this is a typographical error, as Masaki Ryu, by tradition, does not include shuriken jutsu as part of the school.

Meifu Shinkage Ryu
This style was founded by Chikatoshi Someya Sensei, who began training as a boy in Katori Shinto Ryu from the 1930's to the 1970's. Shuriken jutsu was his forte among the buki waza of the Katori Shinto, and he made some modifications and formed his own style in the 1970's, thus giving the art its current name. He was also a shuriken researcher, having investigated a number of techniques and types of blades used in various ryu. Someya Sensei passed away in June 1999, and is succeeded by Yasuyuki Otsuka Sensei, who trained under Someya Sensei since 1980 and now runs a dojo with about 30 students in Japan, and also manages the Meifu Shinkage Ryu website. It is one of only 3 ryu specifically devoted to the shuriken arts, the other two being Negishi Ryu and Ikku Ryu, although with the passing of Shirakami Sensei in 2001, it is not certain whether there are any Ikkyu Ryu students or schools in existence.

Chikatoshi Someya Sensei depicts blades and throwing methods at length in his book, "Shuriken Giho", in Japanese. Someya Sensei was trained in Katori Shinto Ryu, who utilise a variety of blade shapes. However, he introduced the blades below, resembling those of Shirai Ryu, for beginners to practice with, as they are easier to learn the basics with. They practice the direct hit method of throw up to 7m distance, beyond that they practice the turning hit method, and advanced practitioners throw a wide variety of blade shapes, in a variety of throws, including "Chinese Fist method". There is a video available here on this art.

Figure 29. Shuriken of Meifu Shinkage Ryu Large image available here [1]
(author's collection)

Figure 30. Shuriken of Meifu Shinkage Ryu [view larger]
These blades are 7mm in thickness and 15cm long.
(photo courtesy of Danny Fletcher, used with permission)

Mou En Ryu
The founder was Koshiba Soubei, and it appears the art may have originated in China. This fact seems to be confirmed by several sources when taken together suggesting that the long tapering shape of the Mou En Ryu blade derived from a triangular Chinese dart, although the blade is termed kugi gata as it is made from wakugi, the traditional nail. Someya Sensei in his book "Shuriken Giho" states that the art is "touden" (

) - ie. originated in China, and shows the blade for this art as seen in fig. 31. The blade shown appears to have a triangular cross section, however Otsuka Sensei said in personal communication that it is square, and triangular blades were not generally known, due to a certain difficulty in throwing them. The example shown here is 16.7cms long. In Fig. 28, the top example is 13.3cms

Fujita Seiko, in his book "Zukai Shurikenjutsu" depicts Mou En Ryu blades as seen in Fig. 32, which exhibits square cross sections. In "Ancient Chinese Hidden Weapons" by Douglas H. Y. Hsieh, a triangular throwing dart is described, which has a two sharp edges that meet at the point, and a third dull edge at the rear (see also Teihozan Ryu, below). This dull edge sits in the palm, and the blade is thrown under-arm, palm forward, with the tip pointing outwards towards the target. This description may well suggest the reason for the unusual triangular butt end of some Mou En Ryu blades, and therefore show a derivation from the Chinese. However, the method of throwing in Mou En Ryu is not known at this stage, so it is still difficult to accurately compare the Ryu with Chinese sources.

Fig.31. A blade of the Mou En Ryu, as depicted in Someya Sensei's "Shuriken Giho"

Fig. 32. Mou En Ryu blades as depicted in Fujita Seiko's "Zukai Shurikenjutsu".
Note that the cross section for these blades is square, confirming Otsuka Sensei's coments above.

Mouri Ryu
Named after its founder, Mouri Gentaro Gentatsu who apparently was a cripple and practiced throwing 15cm nails at sparrows as a child. He later dueled with Yagyu Jubei, and carried 36 blades, 18 in each hand. (There is an account of this duel with Yagyu Jubei somewhere, I am presently searching for it. There is some suggestion that this account is actually fictional, appearing in a work of fiction and misunderstood to be an historical event. - Jason)

Otsuki Ryu
Yasuda Zenjiro, a master of Otsuki Ryu Kenjutsu from Hiroshima recounts that his teacher, Okamoto Munishige, an Edo period samurai of the Aizu domain used shuriken on a number of occasions during his employment in the Shogunate's security force. He reportedly carried around 12 blades in various places, including the koshita, or back flap of the hakama. - no longer extant (Skoss)

Ryusei Ryu
There are several mentions of this school, but no information can be found on them at present. The blade said to be of this school is depicted below with the Yagyu Ryu examples, Ryusei is a Japanese word for comet.

Shinei Ryu
This style of shuriken jutsu was formed by Isamu Maeda Sensei (also known as Shinei Maeda, his martial arts name) based on his training in Negshi Ryu and Shirai Ryu under Kanji Naruse Sensei. Maeda Sensei was due to be next headmaster of the Negishi Ryu after Naruse, but passed the title on to Satoshi Saito Sensei, during the 1950's. Maeda Sensei felt his style wasn't representative of Negishi Ryu, and therefore should not be headmaster, however his throwing style was rather distinct, if not unusual, in that he seemed to make very little arm movement while throwing. Video footage shows Maeda Sensei holding and throwing blades in what is called the "Chinese Fist" method, and was able to accurately throw blades well into his later life. Reportedly, Shinei Ryu is still taught, under the auspices of a Master Teranaka, in Osaka. It appears this style of shuriken jutsu is taught as part of the Itosu-kai Shito Ryu karate curriculum.

Shingetsu Ryu

This shuriken art was reportedly passed onto Manzo Iwata Sensei of Shito-Ryu by Seiko Fujita Sensei, in 1948. Fujita Sensei was the 14th headmaster of Koga Ryu Ninjutsu, and the author of several historical books on various traditional arts. In his "Zukai Shurikenjutsu", he mentions that the founder of this art was Fujiwara Naritada, and depicts the Shingetsu Ryu blade, of similar length to Shirai Ryu blades, but thicker, with a rounded sides..

Fig.33. Bo shuriken of the Shingetsu Ryu. Note that the thickness increases towards the tip.

Shosetsu Ryu
Founded by Yui Minbu no suke Tachibana Shosetsu, this art is said to use a kogai, or ornamental hairpin as its representative blade.

Shosho Ryu

Shosho Ryu Yawarajutsu is a old school of jujutsu, based in Iwate-ken (prefecture), that also includes sword, staff and rope tying techniques, and possesses a shuriken component. Details are scanty, but it appears they used tanto-gata

(knife-shaped blades) in the manner of Enmei Ryu, of Musashi Miyamoto.

Takemura Ryu
This school was founded by Takemura Yoemon Tsunenori who was the adopted son of Miyamoto Musashi. It is said he was very skilled with the sword, and the shuriken, and that he once demonstrated his skill by throwing a 40cm dagger at a peach floating on a river, piercing it to the core. Fujita Seiko, in his Shurikenjutsu book depicts the blade as the type of tanto shown in Fig. 34 below:

Fujita Seiko also illustrates this blade shown in Fig. 33 below as being of the Takemura Ryu. (This is the same type of blade thrown by O-Ren Ishii, the female mafioso in the movie "Kill Bill", but with a tassle attached). According to Iwai Kohaku, in his "Hidden Weapons" book, this blade is a Kankyuto gata (

) shuriken. According to the kanji, this translates as "pierce a decapitated head". It is possible this example is the spike used to either pick up a decapitated head and present it to the presiding official at executions, or to act as a support to which an identifying label is attached and iserted into the head on display, not, as has been suggested, the kogai. A similar item to the Kankyuto is the uma bari, (lit. horse needle), which is a utility needle used to either pierce boils in the horse's skin, or the let blood from the swollen veins in the horse's legs caused by overwork, or possibly to clean objects from under the hoof. They are usually classified together and thought to be the same, however technically, the kankyu-to possess a sharp knife edge hence the character -to, whereas the uma bari is, as the name suggests, needle shaped, usually being round with a sharp point.

Tamiya Ryu Kenjutsu
This school of swordsmanship also contains shuriken throwing techniques as part of its curriculum, no doubt as an "assimilated art". Viewing a demonstration on video, the style appears very similar to Katori Shinto Ryu. More information needed to confirm this.

Tanba Ryu
Little is known of this school at present, although Fujita Seiko shows the blade below as belonging to both Tanba Ryu and Chishin Ryu. It is interesting to note that the last headmaster of this school is named Tanba, and this blade, along with the blade shown above in the section on Chishin Ryu, are both listed together by Fujita Seiko as Chishin Ryu AND Tanba Ryu. It is my suspicion that Tanba Ryu and Chishin Ryu are synonymous, and that the error is caused by the fact that the teachers name was Tanba, and the art's name was Chishin. See also Araki Ryu above

Tatsumi Ryu
This school is a comprehensive martial art founded by Tatsumi Sankyo around the mid 1500's, and still operates today. It teaches a complete range of weaponry, including shuriken, as well as battlefield and martial strategies. Details about the shuriken in this Ryu are scarce at present, though I suspect shuriken training was introduced into the art at a later date. The photo below shows a blade currently used in the Tatsumi Ryu. It is 12.6 cms long and weight 90 grams. At its base, it is 17mm wide, and 12mm thick. This blade is rather interesting in that it's cross section is somewhat diamond shaped, being flattened along one axis. This is possibly due to the nature of the source material used to make the blade.

Teihozan Ryu (Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu)

Teihozan is an alternate reading for the name of the school's founder, Tsutsumi Yamashiro no kami Hozan. Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu is a 15th century ju-jutsu art that included a form of grappling called yoroi kumi uchi, which involves grappling in armour, as well weapons such as kenjutsu and kusari-gama (sickle and chain). Hozan Ryu is sometimes mistakenly called a school of Kendo, but this is untrue. When the Kendo kata were being formulated, specific techniques were incorporated from a variety of existing Ryu which contained a kenjutsu component. Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu was one of these schools, and it was the Hachiten Giri technique from Hozan Ryu, borrowed and used, along with techniques from others schools, to form the first standardised set of Kendo forms.

Little is known about the shuriken component of the Ryu at this stage. Fujita depicts the blade shape shown below as being the blade of this school. It is interesting to note that this blade shape is similar to the Chinese flying dart, called Fei Biao (see History). See also Moen Ryu, above for similar triangular shapes in blades.

Tendo Ryu Naginata-jutsu (Tendo Ryu Heiho)
Tendo Ryu also includes shuriken, although there are apparently very few people who know these techniques. Naginata is practiced against sword, where the uketachi for the tachi side, and shidachi for the naginata side. Tendo Ryu also includes Nito, Jo and kusarigama, all of which are matched against the tachi, and the sword against sword kata have apparently been lost. In some of the earlier kata, too, techniques for kaiken and tanto are included as well.There were apparently even some yari techniques, too.. The later weapons are only taught to older high ranking students.

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 a blade with hexagonal cross-section, (fig. 38) but most are the square sectioned type shown in fig. 40 - 42. It is thought the throw of Katori Shinto Ryu is that of the "direct hit" method, as of Negishi Ryu, which explains the similarity in shape of the example in fig. 38 to those of Negishi Ryu. The variations in shape of these types of blades (excluding hashi shaped) are due to the balance of weight along the length of the blade. The ones shown in fig. 40 have their weight balanced close to centre, fig. 38 the weight is forward, and in fig. 39 top, the weight is to the rear. These variations in weight balance affect the blades rotation in flight, therefore determining whether a blade is more suitable for a short, middle, or long distance throw. This theory is identical to that of Negishi Ryu, and it suggests that the two arts are more closely linked than previously thought.

Figure 39. Top Shuriken of Katori Shinto Ryu, middle Chishin Ryu, nottom. Ikku Ryu.

Figure 40. Authentic Katori Shinto Ryu shuriken, on display at the Katori Shrine.
These blades were offered to the shrine by the school in 1890.

Figure 41. Authentic Katori Shinto Ryu Shuriken from the collection of Chikatoshi Someya Sensei, now
in the possession of Yasuyuki Otsuka Sensei.
(photo courtesy of Danny Fletcher)

Figure 42. Shuriken of the Katori Shinto Ryu from the collection of the late Charles V. Gruzansky.
(photo courtesy of Robert C. Gruzansky, used with permission)

Figure 43. A set of Katori Shinto Ryu shuriken copies, made by myself following the
pattern of a blade given to me by Otsuka Sensei. Length has been extended to
17.8cm, thickness is 8mm.

According to school documents called the "Mokuroku Heiho no Shinsho", Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu contains the following shuriken jutsu techniques in their curriculum:

1. Omote no shuriken - 7 kajo (Basic techniques - 7 teachings)
2. Gogyo no shuriken - 8 kajo (Higher techniques - 8 teachings)
3. Gokui no shuriken - 9 kajo (Secret techniques - 9 teachings)

Tsugawa Ryu

The blade used by this style is a large, double pointed spatulate blade, called by some a teppan, and by others a ryobari-gata shuriken, or ryohashi tsurugi-gata shuriken, as it has two points that are similar to the double edge straight sword called tsurugi. Some groups use teppan to signify a large lozenge senban type blade. The word teppan means "plate metal", so the label is not incorrect for both. I heard a report that this pattern is similar in shape to a part of the traditional armour, and that in battle it was known to be removed and used as a throwing weapon. Perhaps this is the reason for the unusual shape of the blade.

Yagyu Ryu
A famous kenjutsu style founded by Kamiizumi Ise no Kami Nobutsuna, and passed through the Yagyu family. Successive generations of Yagyu lords served the Tokugawa shogunate for many years. Someya Sensei depicts the Yagyu Ryu shuriken blade as a 4 pointed hira shuriken, as well as a 2nd type, similar in shape to Negishi Ryu's "projectile" shaped blades, but with the tail end having a star shaped cross-section, much like the fletchings on an arrow. This is the style of shuriken that was presented to the French Government on a diplomatic mission during the 1800's, and was the basis for the French designed "flechette", a piercing weapon dropped at height from aeroplanes, used in World War I. They were dropped in bundles of 3500 to 4000 from an altitude of 2000m, and achieved a velocity of 150m per second, enough to pierce through body of a man, and the horse he sat on.

Figure 47. This "ju-ji" (Japanese: number 10 shaped) shuriken is listed
in Fujita Seiko's Shurikenjutsu book as being a Yagyu Ryu blade, however
in Nihon Kobudo's video on shuriken it is referred to as a Ryusei Ryu blade.
The kanji in the top right do not specify Yagyu Ryu either.

Figure 48. "ju-ji" shuriken of Yagyu Shinkage Ryu
(photo courtesy of Danny Fletcher)

Isu Ryu
Quite possibly a variant of the spelling of Izu Ryu (See Katono Ryu above).

Figure 49. Some disc or star-shaped shuriken, or shaken from various Ninjutsu schools.

From top left, examples 1,3, and 4 are shuriken of the Koga and Iga Ryu. 5, 6. Kobori Ryu, 7. Yagyu Ryu or Ryusei Ryu, 8. Koden Ryu, Shosho Ryu, 10 is from Yagyu Ryu and Koga Ryu.

Figure 50. Some throwing stars from various schools and sources.
from the collection of the late Charles V. Gruzanski (Used with permission,© Robert C. Gruzanski)

Figure 51. A variety of shaken, including hira shuriken, and senban shuriken

(top right), throwing blades from
the collection of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, current Head Master of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu. Of interest is the
rough rounded black object next to the large centre item. It is a tsubete which is a flat, round rock...perhaps
a very early pre-cursor to the shaken.

Figure 52. A selection of shuriken from the collection of Charles V. Gruzanski (Click image to enlarge)
(photos courtesy of Robert C. Gruzanski, used with permission)

The star and cross shaped shuriken, known as hira shuriken, or shaken, use an entirely different principle in flight than do the bo shuriken, as they spin at a rapid rate, and have multiple points which can make contact with the target. There seems to be some dispute over the method of throwing. Dr Hatsumi, current Head Master, or 34th soke of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, shows throwing the shuriken as one would throw a small "frisbee", that is, the blade is held horizontally, parallel to the ground, between the thumb and first finger. The wrist makes a flicking action forward as the arm straightens out in front of the thrower's stomach. Several shuriken are held cupped in the left hand like a stack of coins, and are passed to the right hand in rapid succession. Shirakami Eizo however, states that this method is wrong, and that the blade is held and thrown vertically, in much the same way as a bo shuriken. (see fig. 53, below)

Figure 53. Holding a hira shuriken of the Ninjutsu schools. (1) shows an incorrect method

Both types of throw are feasible, however, the latter method can generate much more power. See here for more details on throwing shaken.

Finn: Michael Finn Martial Arts: A Complete Illustrated History , "One of the earliest schools of jujutsu, dating back to the seventh century, was called Koden Ryu ... Much of their inspiration derived from Korea."

2. Interview with Satoshi Saito in "Sword & Spirit: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan Vol. 2" Koryu Books, 1999 (back)

3. Kono, Yoshinori (1996). Toru Shirai: Founder of Tenshin Shirai Ryu in "Aikido Journal" #108 p.43