Japanese Throwing Weapons: Mastering Shuriken Throwing Techniques [DVD Included] Paperback – July 10, 2011

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.

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.

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.

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 havehelped me to improve my form and technique. More importantly--through readingthis book, I have acquired a deeper understanding of the true mindset: the ZanShinof shurikenjutsu.The author, Mr. Daniel Fletcher, is a personal student ofYasuyuki Otsuka sensai: Soke of the Meifu Shinkage Ryu. Otsuka sensai iswell known as the worlds' authority on shurikenjutsu and is featured throughoutthe book. He personally demonstrates in a step by step format the methodsfor throwing Meifu Shinkage Ryu, Chishin Ryu, Shirai Ryu, Tsugawa Ryu and Negishi Ryushuriken. As well as the method for throwing Jujiken (shaken or "wheel blade").Mr. Daniel Fletcher, having a background in the Bujinkan, also demonstrates theproper method for throwing Togakure Ryu senban in the horizontal ("Teppan nage")and overhand vertical throw. Mr. Fletcher also reveals the very secretive technique for throwingmatsubagata 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 andarrow avoidance skills ("yadone") are also covered. There are many more martial treasures tobe discovered within this book, but if that was not enough, the dvd edition comes with footageof Mr. Fletcher demonstrating many of the Meifu Shinkage Ryu forms and techniques along with rarefootage of Otsuka sensai in action. This book is an absolute MUST for anyone interested in theAUTHENTIC art of shurikenjutsu.