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Some obtain their name from the products they were fashioned from, such as kugi-gata (nail kind), hari-gata (needle type) and tant-gata (knife type); others are named after the challenge which they appear similar, such as hoko-gata (spear kind), matsuba-gata (pine-needle type) while others were simply named after the item that was tossed, such as kankyuto (piercing tool type), kunai-gata (energy tool form), or teppan (plate metal) and biao (pin).
The origins of the bo-shuriken in Japan are still uncertain despite continuing research in this area. This is partly because shurikenjutsu is a deceptive art, and likewise to the truth that throughout early Japanese history there were actually many independent innovators of the ability of throwing long, thin items. Did you see this? known mention of a school mentor shurikenjutsu is Ganritsu Ryu, widespread throughout the 17th century.
Existing examples of blades used by this school appear to display a mixture of an arrow's shape with that of a needle typically utilized in Japanese leatherwork and armor manufacture. There are also previously points out in composed records, such as the Osaka Gunki (, the military records of Osaka), of the standard knife and brief sword being included fight, and Miyamoto Musashi is said to have won a battle by tossing his brief sword at his challenger, killing him.