Throwing Steel - The Art of Impalement 

We really enjoy throwing blades. We throw shurikens, knives, axes, swords, spears and even each other! Only the best weapons will hold up to constant throwing, so I recommend that you avoid anything made from ordinary stainless steel.  I've seen too many of them snap. The weapon most commonly associated with Japan's Ninja warriors is the shuriken. Known here in the West as a "throwing star", shuriken were used by both Samurai and Ninja.

Some of the traditional types are known as Hira Shuriken (flat plates), or Shaken. These include the Senban Shuriken (four pointed shuriken) used by the Togakure Ryu. The spike-shaped types, which are very hard to deflect, and are much more lethal are known as Bo Shuriken. The art of knife throwing is known as Tanto Nage.

Shown above is a small part of my personal collection.

There were many ryu (schools or traditions) that included the art of Shurikenjutsu, or Senban Nage (shuriken throwing) in feudal age Japan. It's also important to include the arts of dodging and deflecting shuriken along with being able to correctly throw them. Being able to make a blade "stick" is very satisfying. I've been at a seminar where my knife perfectly hit it's mark, yet one person told me my "technique was wrong". If the technique works, it is not "wrong". I also noticed this same person could not once make his knife stick.

This art is not at all difficult to learn. It is very fun and very addictive. As is the case in ninjutsu, these skills transfer into being able to effectively throw anything useful as a tool. I like throwing ordinary screwdrivers, for example.

Scott Garcia has a wonderful site for those interested in the art of blade throwing. The Great Throwzini offers many tips, a free newsletter, and a list of local throwers in your area.