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.
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 firearms. 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 Any member acting contrary to these laws will be expelled from the Branch or Keikokai and have their Honbu membership rescinded.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.
