1.
shuriken, throwing star, throwing blade
A small, concealable weapon designed to be thrown, historically associated with ninja. Comes in various shapes including star-shaped (多角形) and straight needle-like forms (棒手裏剣). Widely known internationally through ninja-themed media.
手裏剣を投げる。
Throw a shuriken.
忍者は手裏剣を武器として使った。
Ninja used shuriken as weapons.
忍者体験で手裏剣投げに挑戦した。
I tried throwing shuriken at a ninja experience attraction.
USAGE:
The standard collocation is 手裏剣を投げる (to throw a shuriken). The word literally means "blade hidden in the hand" (手 = hand, 裏 = back/hidden, 剣 = blade).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 手裏剣を投げる: to throw a shuriken
- 手裏剣投げ: shuriken throwing (as an activity)
- 棒手裏剣: straight shuriken (needle type)
CULTURAL NOTE:
Shuriken-throwing activities are popular at ninja-themed tourist attractions in Japan, particularly in 伊賀 (Mie Prefecture) and 甲賀 (Shiga Prefecture), two regions historically associated with ninja.