Types of Throwing Stars

Throwing stars are projectiles utilized by highly skilled practitioners of some martial arts. These weapons are extremely dangerous. People without proper training should never attempt to use them. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, they are a deadly long-distance weapon. The term "throwing star," however, is a blanket term that actually encompasses several different types of thrown projectiles.

  1. Bo Shuriken

    • Not all "throwing stars" are actually stars. Bo shuriken are significantly different from most throwing stars that people see. They are often called throwing spikes rather than a star, but are part of the same weapon class known as shuriken. Typically, this type of star resembles a spike or needle. Usually, a martial artist throws these projectiles in an overhand fashion by lightly gripping one of the spikes.

    Hira Shuriken

    • Hira shuriken are shaped more like stars than bo shuriken. Hira shuriken are shaped like a basic four-pointed star or a cross. Two schools of thought exist on how to throw hira shurikin. Some instructors feel the star should be grasped on one point and thrown in an overhead grip. Others teach a sideways throw similar to the way you would flick a Frisbee.

    Senban Shuriken

    • Senban shuriken are related to hira shuriken. Together, the two types are classified as "shaken." However, senban shuriken tend to have a more solid shape than hira. While a hira has four or more spikes or blades extending from a center, senban are shaped more like a diamond, or a square with flared corners. These stars are much more solid with sharp corners but are thrown in the same method as hira.

    Atypical Stars

    • Many types of throwing stars are abnormal and have non-traditional shapes. Stars are made today with serrated edges, with many more than four points on a single star, some with hooks on the blades and some which are nearly round. Another type of throwing star not as common as the others but with a traditional Japanese name is the happa shuriken. This is a blade with eight points spaced equidistant from each other, with each point radiating from the center.