(Music Link)

 

Ninja Instructors oft… throw up.

Their Weapons.

 

Any direction… actually.

This a lesson i, Shiro learnt early in my training.

One aspect that even such as Hollyweed got right.

 

Besides how hard Training can be… that is.

 

After Sticks came Stones… so Our World Legends say.

…The rest… is History. For,..

…other items… soon were tossed… too.

 

In Japan… a lil’ while back in History and Herstory.

 

Samurai, Ninja, Priests,.. the general Public… as well.

 

These Weapons tended to be…

Shuriken, Spike and Projectile.

Throwing up…

… or in any direction and getting the Target though,..

…is quite hard work indeed.

 

Training Time and Tips it seems herein.

 

Heads Up…

First Up…

…Safety First.

 

Paramount in any Training session is Safety.

Yours and Others.

The Weaponry discussed herein can injure, maim and kill.

 

Designed to cut into and penetrate skin, tissue and muscle.

Thrown or held in hand for Combat.

 

These are not playthings.

 

As with any such… maintain your Respect.

 

Live Weaponry is the wielder’s responsibility.

Follow Instructions and Protocols.

Train Safely.

 

 

(…As an 😉 aside here: Know where the Dojo First Aid Kit is.

…Also;.. make or buy a small Basic one…

…keep with/in your Training Bag…

…along with some Freeze Spray and Heat Ointment.)

 

 

 

Hold Up…

…Check Up.

 

Maintenance and Care of your Training Weaponry essential for longevity and Safety.

Keep the sharp Tips tip-top sharp… minimises bounce off/ricochet.

 

This means;..

♦Gentle pressure on a Fine Grade Sharpening Stone.

♦Remove minimal steel when honing.

♦Keep rust/chemical-free, oil as req’d.

♥Pad and Pack appropriately noting above.

 

Basic Leather Pouch,.. or Cloth Roll.

Other ideas are the old style Floppy Disk Ten Pack Containers or small Wooden Boxes.

 

There are many shapes and sizes as shown in the pics above and below.

Some specialised types come with various coatings applied.

Slightly differing in flight characteristics, purposes and so forth.

 

Cost… too.

 

(Video Link)

 

 

 

Throw Up…

…thy hands…for;..

a Shiro… decisive and…

…incisive Ninja and Kunoichi Cost-Cutting…

…Tip.

 

Sharp as indeed,.. in deed and in fact… too.

A cheaper and easy to make alternative for the Spike Type.

 

Is to… grab a stack of the large wood squareish ChopSticks;..

…sort and keep all the un-lacquered ones.

Trim length slightly… Sharpen one end;..

…Soak in Oil… to add weight etc.

 

 

Once suitably oiled and weighted down… toss…

…up or anywhere,..on Target;..

…to your heart’s and wallets… content… and relief as well.

 

The above procedure will produce a lighter Spike that flies fairly true.

Great for projectile practice.

Getting the Arm and Body motions to flow smoothly.

 

Once mastered, the transition to the Real Thing much simpler as the extra weight easily adjusted to.

 

This can then be applied to ANY OBJECT per se,..

…that you may wish to toss… away.

Way toward the Target… that is.

 

(Music Link)

 

Who’s Up.?.

Name calling is also an Art.

 

Here’s a Glossary Type for personal perusal.

Yours.

 

Shuriken : 手裏剣 Throwing Star/Palm Blade.

Shaken :  車剣 Wheel type.

Kurumaken : above alternative name.

 

Bō Shuriken :  棒手裏剣 Stick/Spike type.

Hira Shuriken :  平手裏剣 Flat type.

 

Biao : Pin type.

Harigata : Needle type.

Higuruma  : Fuse, Oil and Gunpowder type.

Hokogata : Spear type.

Kugigata : Nail type.

Kankyuto : Piercing type.

Kogata : Utility Knife type.

Kozuka : Small knife kept in Sword Scabbard.

Kunaigata : Farming Tool type.

Matsubatagata : Pine Needle type.

Senban : Lathe Plate/Blade type.

Tantogata : Knife type.

Teppan : Metal/Iron Plate type.

Tetsumari : Ball shaped spiky type.

Uchibari : Large Needle type.

 

Shurikenjutsu :  手裏剣術

 

Modern Tech. has updated this Weapons approach-

…with the not so humble Gunnery type.

Which toss out a lot.

 

Ways too many… to catch… too.

 

Full on Tossers indeed,.. in deed and in fact…

…also.

 

(Video Link)

 

What’s Up…

… with the Law.?. you may ask spikily… now.

 

These Weapon Forms have oft been banned in times and places.

Their hidden nature per se… objected to.

Tactical advantage… lawfully disadvantaged.

 

Check your Local Area for applicable,..

…prior to you tossing yours… around.

 

These and the nature of the surprise and stealth aspects have induced many Schools over the years to go underground per se. Thus the large variety of Type and Training. This was simply added to the Training Menu of the School concerned… usually as Supplementary to their main focus.

Generally included in the olden Martial (…war…) Systems referred to as the Bugei or Sogo-bugei.

Of which… there were/are many… also.

Quite a few Historical Schools specialising in this Weapon Form over the years… as well.

 

Throwing Techniques termed : Dakenjutsu

Combat Techniques termed : Shokenjutsu

 

Heads Up… again,..

For safety and minimising ricochet rampage,..

…Targets… are Not Hard Wood… at all.

 

♥Old bamboo Tatami Mats… ideal… though lil’ messy.

♦Stacked/Tied Thickish Packs of Layers of Cardboard… also messy.

♥Rubber/Carpet matting of suitable thickness (…app. 20mm…)

… ideal… not so messy… too.

 

Not as thick as some though… cos;..

…remember the bounce… off,..

 

…coming yours or others Ways.

 

Catch Up…

…on Chuck Ups.

 

Throwing the Shuriken is technically simple.

 

You don’t.

Throw… at all… that is.

 

The action is much more akin to that of the Fishing Rod/Pole.

Cast.

Releasing.

Casting.

 

The lighter than a Ball weight per se… and the intent…

…totally different.

Throwing your balls… so to speak that normal Ways…

…means lil’ attention given to spin and tumbling of the ball concerned.

 

Herein… we want… none of that.

No rough n tumble indeed it seems,..

…in deed and in fact… too.

 

Herein… Directed Release… the better terms.

 

 

The Basics… of…

Throwing Up…

… and other directions… as well.

 

With the Spike Type:

Throwing with the Arm and Hands is usually made in a circular fashion.

Freely… loosely.

This can generate in an appropriately weighted object… great speed.

Also imparts rotation.

 

Throwing  Spike Shuriken + co. correctly simply involves the control of that.

Of Object Velocity and Rotational Speed.

A Directed Release therefore thereof.

 

♦Cup your hand slightly.

♦The bump or ridge that forms at the base of your thumb.

Tis where the Stick/Spike ones… butt end… sits.

♦Resting and lying comfortably ‘tween first and second fingers.

The sharp end peeks out behind fingertips.

 

♥The Thumb comes across to support… lightly.

 

 

As the throw is made:

The palm placement pushes/presses against the Spike whilst/as the moving Arm flexes up n then down and wrist snapped etc.

 

Ensures a flat trajectory… tossed fast… basically.

Over the short to mid range.

 

From any position and in any direction is also practiced.

Once understood,..

…the Basics are added to with varying grips and other throwing implements/tools/weapons.

 

For example:

The Star Type involves different Grip Methods that are more pistol like/pinch grip- slightly behind the point area,.. whereby the finger and wrist aid in applying max. rotation also.

Flicks and timed Wrist Snaps work… hand in hand to…

…cover distance and generate power.

 

(Video Link)

 

 

Spiking… your Punch.

Modern Versions include Keys, Rulers, Pens, Small Torches, Tools etc.

Shokenjutsu… The Hand-Held Techniques.

 

Spikes + co. add steel to your defence capabilities.

Attacks… too.

Small, hidden… and pointedly surprising.

 

Maybe not quite up to Wolverine’s.

Useful nonetheless indeed.

 

Usually simply held in the hand they can aid Blocking Oppo and/or Weaponry.

Adds impact effectiveness to most of your Actions.

Punch, Pressure Points, Trap Aid, Twist/Leverage Device, Bony/Light Armored areas present no issue etc.

Differing Grips to suit.

 

Lightweight and easy to maneuver.

Variations usually socially acceptable and readily available items/objects.

 

The Tool/Object usually kept hidden as best can to maximise effectiveness.

The… won’t know what hit ’em… attitude/approach.

 

 

Up… and at ’em…

The movements and throw positions herein discussed are generalised.

Actual positioning is dependent on many Combat Factors.

Forms and Style vary accordingly.

Consult your Instructor for particulars.

 

Whilst Training can not cover every possibility;

Once the Basic Motion understood and your Targeting…

…is in the main… right on target.

 

♦Add the number in your hand for consecutive or multiple throw(s).

♦Then add a fake-out movement… or a distraction/intimidation/warning… at a close object to attacker.

♦Double/both hand throw(s).

♦Whilst Falling and/or Rolling.

 

♥(…Learn… to avoid them… too…)

 

♦Practice throwing from any and every position you can achieve or get into.

♦Seated, Flat on floor, Standing, Kneeling, Walking, Running and so forth and so on.

 

Till You…

Ends Up…

Hands Up…

…emptied out…

… and have run out of tossable things.

 

Have fun… throwing up… ALL OVER.

Oft.

 

Just pick the right… Target.

 

(Music Link)

 

Show Up… Time:

Slide-show… Up… that is.

 

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(Video Link)

 

 

 

(Video Link)

 

 

Shiro will now… Shut Up… too.

 

Our World Legends.

Be One.

 

Till next…