Japanese Throwing Weapons: Mastering Shuriken Throwing Techniques [DVD Included]

My name is Kenneth Smith, writing a review under my girlfriend's account. I am an amateur shurikenjutsu practitioner and enthusiast that has been throwing blades for six years now. I have found this book full of insights and detailed information which have helped me to improve my form and technique. More importantly--through reading this book, I have acquired a deeper understanding of the true mindset: the ZanShin of shurikenjutsu.The author, Mr. Daniel Fletcher, is a personal student of Yasuyuki Otsuka sensai: Soke of the Meifu Shinkage Ryu. Otsuka sensai is well known as the worlds' authority on shurikenjutsu and is featured throughout the book. He personally demonstrates in a step by step format the methods for throwing Meifu Shinkage Ryu, Chishin Ryu, Shirai Ryu, Tsugawa Ryu and Negishi Ryu shuriken. As well as the method for throwing Jujiken (shaken or "wheel blade"). Mr. Daniel Fletcher, having a background in the Bujinkan, also demonstrates the proper method for throwing Togakure Ryu senban in the horizontal ("Teppan nage") and overhand vertical throw. Mr. Fletcher also reveals the very secretive technique for throwing matsubagata of the Iga Ryu, as well as describing the method of throwing traditional kunai. Hand to hand combat principles and forms with shuriken ("shoken-jutsu") and shuriken and arrow avoidance skills ("yadone") are also covered. There are many more martial treasures to be discovered within this book, but if that was not enough, the dvd edition comes with footage of Mr. Fletcher demonstrating many of the Meifu Shinkage Ryu forms and techniques along with rare footage of Otsuka sensai in action. This book is an absolute MUST for anyone interested in the AUTHENTIC art of shurikenjutsu.

I've been knife throwing for a few years and I wanted to branch into other throwing weapons for some variety. This book had the highest rated reviews and the additional DVD sold me. I decided to give it a shot and was not disappointed. Even if the DVD hadn't been included, I could have figured out how to throw these weapons accurately and correctly because of the perfectly detailed throwing explanations, along with excellently positioned photographs. Many throws are photographed from different angles, which is an absolute necessity because body position is so important with many, if not all, of these techniques. More books and guides need to do this and I hope the example set by this book is picked up on by authors of others. The additional history of the weapons, the various schools, and how each school used a variety of these weapons was just icing on the cake. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is either just starting out with throwing weapons or is already fairly experienced because short of actually going to Japan to learn, this is the absolute best you will find.

Honestly i was not expecting too much whne i ordered this book, except maybe some historical perspective i was not familiar with. Received it and thumbed through it, surprised by the quality of the book for the price. The material is excellent, and presented well. I am fdamiliar witha good bit of it, having stuidied various martial arts for years, and weapons in particular, the explanation of the classic patterns of shuriken was interesting as it included details i had not heared before. What got my attention was the authors eye toward practical historical aplications, and likley adaptations of common items as weapons- this is how a warrior thinks. His focus on the proper SKILLS of throwing a projectile, and not the oft- implied semi magical powers of the object itself ( " balanced for throwing") is heartening. There are several thoughts i'd ;like to share, but will finish the book and update this review. In the meantime, if youa re considering this book as a foundation to buiild a skill, it looks like a great place to start.

As a long time student of Shuriken jutsu, I can honestly say that Daniel Fletcher's book is the most accurate and comprehensive work on the subject that I have seen. He takes you through not only the basics, but also the more advanced throws in a way that makes them very accessible to everyone from the first timer to the experienced martial artist. His explanations and demonstrations show the real combat aspects of Shuriken jutsu that most people never get to see... it's not just trying to hit a target, there's a lot more to it. The DVD was a totally unexpected surprise. It's one thing to see martial arts books showing still pictures and word descriptions of techniques (even really good books like this one), it's another all together to be able to see these different things in action. The DVD is easily worth 3 times the price of the book alone; This book is WAY under priced. Not only do you get to see the Author expertly demonstrating the techniques and concepts, but you also get to see Otsuka sensei, current Grand master of the Meifu Shinkage ryu Shuriken jutsu school throwing different types of blades. One thing missing from the book is mention that there is now a branch of the Meifu Shinkage ryu in America. It's located in California at www(dot)california-msr(dot)com. If you have even a passing interest in pointy things from Japan, this book is an absolute must-have. I have made it mandatory reading for all of my Shuriken jutsu students... it makes my job a lot easier.

There is basically no one in America who has the experience in shurikenjutsu that Danny Fletcher has, this book is a must buy. As someone who owns basically every book on shurikenjutsu ever written I can say this is one of two English language books worth buying, the other being Shuriken-do by Shirakami Ikkuken. The author is an expert on Japanese martial arts and culture with experiences no other authors who have tried to cash in on the hype of the shuriken can come close to. Danny has not only trained in the Bujinkan and learned the shurikenjutsu of Togakure ryu, which is covered greatly in this book, but has gained the knowledge of the use of a huge variety of shuriken from other ryu-ha through his study with Otsuka sensei of the Meifu Shinkage Ryu, one of the few extant shurikenjutsu ryu. This book will teach you the use of basically all forms of shuriken from senban, to jujiken, to bo shuriken and even the use of obscure items like the matsubagata of iga ryu. Also covered is the use of shuriken in shokenjutsu (use of shuriken as a handheld weapon in close combat), as well as sword forms with shuriken. You will be able to study the basic kata of Meifu Shinage Ryu, and hopefully seek out a dojo to train this art and understand its higher level teachings. This book is a must have for ANYONE who is interested in REAL NINJUTSU and REAL SHURIKENJUTSU.

what I love about this book is it stays true how you learn to throw a shuriken and its very thorough and accurate about the book and the school on this book it teaches you how to do kata and the many kinds of griping b4 you through a shuriken and also it teaches you how to use your katana as a throwing weapon and I also love the DVD and there is nothing wrong about dislike it, it stays true how Daniel and otsuka teaches you how you throw shuriken and doing the kata and there different type of shuriken like the senban shuriken I would reccomend this book if anyone wants to master ninjutsu.

Its limited in DVD instruction & book just basics not to intermediate level.

As a beginning shurikenjutsu practitioner and martial arts lover, Japanese Throwing Weapons is a great manual for learning a little about the throwing arts. I easily fell in love with shurikenjutsu after seeing a video of master Yasuyuki Otsuka on tv explaining the art form. The book goes into explaining the different types of shuriken, and the history of Meifu Shinkage Ryu shurikenjutsu itself. From there, the book goes into detail on how to properly stand and throw the different weapons. There are many techniques included in the book, and a few secret techniques pretaining to MSR. For intances, there are sitting, standing, and sword techniques with shurikens. However, the greatest gem included with the book is the DVD. Within the DVD, the author gives a visual perspective of the whole book, which is good for actual training. I am truely happy that I purchased this book. It is a great experience to learn about a weapon that was commonly during feudal Japan. I hope that one day I can get the honor training in MSR in Japan. All in all, this is an awesome experience in Japanese arts.

Muy bueno.

A great asset for a Shurikenjutsu practioner or anyone looking to get involved. A great-have for any Budoka looking to further their knowledge in classical Japanese martial arts.

It's not often that i leave reveiws, but i've been trying to track down a shuriken jutsu book for some time now, i've been searching for a few months and as a fully trained martial artist in ninjutsu, i have many books, but i think this is my favourette, it even comes with a nice little dvd that shows you the jutsu, brilliant stuff Great price 10/10

Great book , good quality print

A great book for a beginner like myself Full of information and the DVD that comes with it is great for learning the basics Fully recommend this if you have an interest in learning the basics of Shurikenjutsu