Shokenjutsu

SHOKEN (掌剣)

Various hand held blades are also studied, normally starting at 3rd kyu level. Shoken come in various forms, however the main tool was designed by Someya, Sensei, the founder of Meifu Shinkage Ryu.

Shokenjutsu uses shuriken as hand weapons. In addition, the founder of Meifu Shinkage Ryu developed a special training tool called Shoken (掌剣). These can be used to study various techniques for stabbing, scratching and slashing, or cutting the attacker. Shoken are used in pairs, following similar movement trajectory as the Fundo Kusari. Members from 3rd kyu level and higher start training with safety Shoken with rounded edges.

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 Any member acting contrary to these laws will be expelled from the Keikokai and have their Honbu membership rescinded.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