Bo-Shurikenjutsu

BO-SHURIKEN (棒手裏剣)

Bo-shuriken as used in Meifu Shinkage Ryu are designed based off the Katori Shinto Ryu Bo-shuriken (sometimes also referred to as Uchi-bari). The MSR Bo-Shuriken (Shuriken) are standardized in shape, measurement, weight, as well as the material.

Meifu Shinkage Ryu shuriken are made of straight square steel, and are between 14 to 15 centimetres. The diameter is between 6 and 7 millimetres. Each shuriken weighs about 38 grams. The tip is about 25 millimetres, sometimes with one or two tapers depending on the kind of shuriken. All official MSR shuriken are made of hard steel.

Two versions of the standardised MSR shuriken exist today. The first version is cut and shaped from bar steel, and has two tapers. The taper closest to the tip prevents extensive bending and blunding. These shuriken are excellent for novice students.

The second version of the MSR shuriken is forged from steel. These shuriken vary in weight from shuriken to shuriken (between 36 and 38 grams). They have one taper. These shuriken are excellent for the advanced student. The shuriken in the photo below are forged and engraved, and are in the private collection of Meifu Shinkage Ryu Canada’s Shibucho Dr. Chris de Feijter.

All members of Meifu Shinkage Ryu Canada are required to act in agreement with all Federal and Provincial laws regarding the ownership and transportation of weapons in Canada. It is recommended that all weapons (tools) used to practice the Meifu Shinkage Ryu Arts are stored and transported in a similar fashion as fire arms. Such included storage and transportation in a lockable container (such as a Pelican Case) preventing immediate access. Any member acting contrary to these laws will be expelled from the Keikokai and have their Honbu membership rescinded.

Some have asked if Bo-Shuriken are legal. The Canadian Criminal code, under SOR/98-462, part 3: “Any instrument or device commonly known as “shuriken”, being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or other geometrical shape, and any similar instrument or device.” The Meifu Shinkage Ryu Bo-shuriken clearly does not fit this classification. However, since any object can be used as a lethal weapon, all participants are required to use common sense.