@ 1986

BUTOKUKAI, INC.
NKTC

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be

reproduced in any form, except for purposes of
review, without written permission of the publisher.

BUTOKUKAI, INC.
Cornville, Arizona 86325
 Table of Contents

Introduction .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. 1

Prologue - Blades of the Ninja . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . .. 3

Section One:
Obtaining and Maintaining Throwing Knives .. . . .. . 9

Section Two:
Throwing Methods . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . 13

Section Three:
Training Methods and Safety Concerns . . . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. 29

Section Four:
Knife Throwing in Combat .. . .. .. .. . . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. . . . 39

Section Five:
Defense Against Thrown Knives . .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .. . . 43

Afterword . .. . .. .. . . . .. . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. 45
 - WARNING -
Neither author nor the publisher assumes
any responsibility for the use or misuse of
the information contained in this book.
 INTRODUCTION

A knife is the first weapon given to a Ninja. He or she

learns Tanto-jitsu, knife art. As well as becoming an expert
in hand-to-hand combat, a Ninja learns to throw knives, as
well as many other objects. But some knives are designed
specifically for throwing. With such specialty knives, the
Ninja knife throwing expert is particularly dangerous.
Normally, a Ninja carries four such throwing knives as well
as a combat knife which could be thrown if necessary.
Ninja throw knives, primarily, to achieve three goals:
To distract.
To wound.
To kill.
With practice and hard work, a Ninja can learn to
accomplish all three of these goals, but the last purpose is
difficult to achieve, and requires the utmost skill and
dedication. This book was developed for practicing Ninja
who wish to round out their training. Only western style
throwing weapons are covered. For information on oriental
throwing devices, a serious Ninja should obtain a copy of
Throwing the Ninja Star of Death, the companion edition to
this book, which was also written by Michael E. Peters and
published by Butokukai.
 PROLOGUE

BLADES OF THE NINJA

Kenji knew that he must be careful about how he entered

captured, Hon Castle. Even though he was disguised as a
merchant from a distant province, that would mean nothing
to Lord Katsugami’s brutal occupation troops. They would
treat and search him roughly, disgusted at even having to
touch a member of the lower classes. He would have to cower
before them and appear to be submissive. One wrong look,
just meeting the eyes of one of the Samurai, would be taken
as an infraction, reflecting great disrespect for the warrior
class. A deadly iai-jitsu draw and cut would follow, aimed at
the neck of such a vile, disrespectful merchant. On top of
everything else, most of the soldiers would be drinking,
celebrating their recent victory. After raping and pillaging
an entire province, they would need little excuse to spill the
blood of a defenseless merchant.
The young Ninja knew that he might suffer great
indignities at the hands of the invaders, but only if they tried
to slay him would he be forced to defend himself and try to
escape. But that must not happen; he might escape or he
might be killed, but either way his mission would fail, and it
would then be even more difficult for the next Ninja spy to
get in. The enemy would increase their security.
His only hope was to slip in and complete his mission
while the invaders were still occupied by sacking the
countryside and celebrating their victory. They were not
even aware that in triumph they were vulnerable. Kenji
hoped to teach the invaders a bitter lesson for invading his
homeland.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

The Ninja Clan to which he belonged was allied with the

other side. He was being sent to gather information. Rumor
had it that the invader’s finest general, who had orchestrated
the successful seige of Hon Castle, had been seriously
wounded by an arrow during the final battle. If the rumor
proved to be true, with late reinforcements, the defending
armies would launch a counterattack, regain the castle and
crush the enemy. Without their finest leader, the invaders
would be routed.
Knowing that he would be thoroughly searched, Kenji was
only lightly armed with the tanto dagger which most
traveling merchants were allowed to carry. He also carried
four flat, superbly balanced throwing knives, which were
cleverly concealed in the sides of a wooden box which he
used to carry some of his wares. He was selling decorative
handguards for swords. Each of the tsuba were made by a
famous artisan. Along with those items and the clothes on
his back, Kenji carried nothing out of the ordinary for which
a merchant would be found. He prepared himself mentally
as he approached the outer gate. His performance had to be
calculated and perfect.
“Dog!” one of the guards screamed at him, ripping Kenji’s
pack off his shoulders. “What garbage have you come to
peddle?” The man was half drunk.
Kenji bowed unceasingly as he trembled to his knees.
“Mighty warriors, most honorable lords, I come to you
bearing many fine tsuba, fashioned by the reknowned
artisan, Mitsunari of Mido. Perhaps you have heard of him?
They would be most worthy of your. . .”
The back of an armored hand cuffed him. His pack was
emptied on top of him, and the guard began to pick through
the merchant’s possessions, flinging items to the laughing
soldiers nearby. “There is nothing of value here,” the guard
howled. “Only junk. We will throw it away for you and
relieve you of the burden of carrying it.”
“Hold it, you fool,” an authorative voice said. Out of the
corner of his eye, Kenji saw an older Samurai on horseback,
snapping a resplendent fan at the guards, who sprang to
attention as quickly as they could. The rider turned to Kenii.
 .v.. w-- v-.x.. - . . . ..V . . . . . u

“Did I hear you say Mitsunari of Mido?”

“Yes, mighty lord,” Kenji muttered through his tears. He
did not dare look up.
“Guard!” the leader snapped. “Bring one of those.” He
pointed at the handguards which had spilled from the box
onto the stones. Hurriedly the brutal guard picked up one
tsuba, bowed, and handed it to the rider, who examined its
workmanship closely.
“Hmmm, it is indeed the work of that famous artisan; I
know his skill well. It is old, from the days before the peak of
his mastery, but good work nevertheless. You will be given a
pass for food and lodging for one night. Seek out the
retainers of my house this evening, where you see my
standard. I will examine your merchandise more closely at
that time.” The rider turned once more to the guards. “Do as I
have said with this merchant, and see that no harm comes to
him within these walls. Trouble him no more or I shall hear
of it. The artistry he bears is worth more than the lot of you!
Now stand your posts. Stop drinking. The enemy is still in
the mountains. They may yet try to regain the castle.”
“Thank you, gracious lord,” Kenji said, bowing repeatedly.
The rider spurred his horse and rode into the castle. Kenji
was left to gather up his belongings. What was taken was
not returned, and the guards scowled at him when he took
his pass from them. Slinging his pack over his shoulder, he
scurried off onto the castle grounds.
Once inside, he was directed to the rooms of the lord who
had taken interest in his goods. He made an appointment
and took his meal, doing nothing to attract suspicion. In the
evening, he met the lord, and made a fine sale. Appearing
pleased and tired, he was given a place among the servants
for the night.
Once night fell, Kenji’s real work began. He turned his
clothing inside-out and changed from his merchant disguise
into his black Ninja uniform. For weapons he had the
merchant dagger in his belt and the four throwing knives
from the wooden box. He had caught sight of the standard of
the enemy’s top general earlier in the day. Cautiously he
made his way through the shadows of the captured castle
toward the general’s quarters in order to spy on the general’s
condition.
Upon reaching the general’s quarters, he found them as he
had expected them to be-heavily guarded. Kenji was forced
to make his way silently up onto the roof and cautiously
down into the rafters above the general’s room. Once there,
the young Ninja listened for a great while, detecting the
sounds of two people sleeping. He could tell from the way
that they were breathing that they were deep in slumber.
Kenji could not see much from his vantage point, despite the
dim moonlight bathing the chamber. He had to climb down
into the chamber. Silently he lowered himself slowly into the
chamber by means of a thin strong rope. Immediately he
caught sight of two guards sitting by the door. As soon as his
feet touched the floor, he drew two of his throwing knives,
retreated, and crouched in the shadows of the room. But
neither of the guards moved; it was they who were sleeping.
Quickly he made his way to the general’s bed. The general
lay in the bed, but he was stone dead. It was a ruse to fool
spies. The general’s body had even been embalmed and
covered with a thin layer of wax. For proof, Kenji took the
general’s ring. Quickly but carefully, he made his way back
to his quarters and gathered his things. He had the
information for which he had come, and he would leave that
very night to inform his clients.
Strangely enough, the same drunken Samurai guards who
had bullied him were at the gate when he went to leave. Kenji
was on his guard, He had his knives concealed on him still.
“Well, merchant,” the leader of the guards said, “did you
do well?”
“Yes, great warrior, your lord was most gracious. I am on
my way to board a ship now. I have passage to leave.”
“Very well then. But there are brigands and ronin about,
waiting to cut the throats of fortunate merchants. Our lord
gave us charge to see that no harm befell you within the
gates. Let us escort you beyond them as well. You are only
armed with that puny dagger, a pitiful weapon against an
enemy.”
“You are most kind,” Kenji said. The leader and two other
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Samurai lead him out of the city and down the road. After
they had travelled far away from the castle, the three bushi
stopped.
“Here we must leave you,” the leader said. That must have
been the signal. Instantly the other two Samurai whipped
out their swords.
“Pig! Dog!” the second Samurai raged. “You caused us to
lose face before our lord. Honor requires your life!”
“Give us your money and your goods,” said the third, “and
perhaps we shall let you live. And do not attempt to touch
your dagger. Our skilled swords will cut you down before you
can draw it.”
Kenji fell to the ground, trembling and begging for
forgiveness. Slowly he reached into his pack, gripping the
handle of one of his throwing knives concealed there. In one
swift motion, he flung the heavy pack into the leader,
knocking him to the ground. Diving and rolling beneath the
swords of the other two Samurai, he ripped upwards with his
dagger, slashing the second man viciously in the groin. The
Samurai groaned and fell.
Springing to his feet, Kenji saw the third guard charging
at him, while the leader drew his own sword and maneuvered
behind the Ninja. Without hesitation, Kenji threw his
dagger underhand style into the charging man’s right thigh
and stepped aside. The dagger buried itself deeply in the
guard’s leg, causing him to howl and topple forward,
impaling himself on the thrusting sword of the leader. Kenji
charged them unexpectedly and shoved them to the ground.
Drawing his second throwing knife by the blade, and
snapping the thread that suspended it behind his neck,
Kenji threw it at the second guard who had been wounded in
the groin. The man was struggling to rise as Kenji’s knife
pierced his throat, dropping him instantly. Kenji drew his
final two throwing knives from the wrappings around his
ankles, as the leader disentangled himself from the corpse of
the third man. He rose and faced Kenji warily.
“You have killed two of my men,” the leader said, “good
men as well. Only a Ninja could do what you have done. But
the element of surprise upon which you rely is gone. And I
have my sword, while you only have three knives. Are you
ready to die, Ninja?”
“It is you who shall die, Samurai. I was trained as a child
in Tanto-jitsu. I can hit a flying sparrow at thirty paces with
my blades, and bring it to the ground alive.”
“We shall see,” the leader said. “But this much is certain.
One of us shall not survive.” With that he charged. Kenji
threw his third knife, and the Samurai swatted it away. But
the fourth knife followed quickly, spinning in the moonlight
to strike the man in the chest. Kenji drew the dagger from his
waist.
The Samnurai halted and laughed boldly, pulling the
dagger from his chest and hurling it away into the darkness.
“I have you now, Ninja. You only have one knife left, and
your last blade did not cause a serious wound. Surrender
your life and I shall make the end quick. I will not stop until I
kill you.”
“That you shall never do,” Kenji said. He circled around
the Samurai, who put his back to a tree. “For you see,
Samurai, my blades are poisoned. Even now you feel the
sharp fingers of its grip, which will soon crush your heart.
Even if I let you go, and you ran as fast as you can-you
would not make it back to the castle. And there is no
antidote.”
The Samurai leaned more heavily against the tree. “Then
I will shout until one of the patrols hear me!”
The Samurai opened his mouth to yell, but it was filled
with Kenji’s fifth dagger. Expertly thrown, the blade pierced
the back of the man’s throat, effectively nailing his head to
the tree. The corpse convulsed and sagged. Kenji retrieved
his knives, stripped the bodies, and hid them as bandits
would. The men would not be missed or found until the next
day at the earliest. By that time, the counterattack on the
invaders would have begun.
 SECTION ONE:

Obtaining and Maintaining

Throwing Knives
ml I

To obtain throwing knives, look through the pages of any

martial arts magazines and you can usually find a supplier.
Knives may also be found in surplus shops, at gun shows
and at flea markets. (Photo 1.1 shows a number of throwing
knife designs.)
How many throwing knives should a Ninja own? For
effective practice, a Ninja should own at least a dozen knives
of the same kind. That is a minimum number. If they cannot
be acquired all at once, they should be purchased a few at a
time over a short period. Twenty or two dozen knives would
be more advantageous for the Ninja who can afford them.
This will cover any knives which are damaged, lost, etc.
Throwing knives are relatively easy to maintain. They
should be kept clean, dry and rust free. Some throwing
knives do not have to be sharpened. Others can be sharpened
with a mill-bastard file. Still others require the use of an oil
stone. Take the appropriate sharpening measures, depending
upon which type of throwing knives are owned.
Throwing knives are difficult to destroy under normal use.
If they become bent, they can be hammered or bent flat once
more. On the rare occasion that a throwing knife does break,
it should be thrown away and replaced.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Another important factor to consider is design. A Ninja

may wish to own more than one type of throwing knife.
Many of the current designs throw well, with practice, but
the most important factors with regard to throwing knives
are:
Length
Weight
Balance
Length is the first crucial factor. For a throwing knife to
have good flight characteristics, power and penetration, it
must be at least nine and no more than sixteen inches in
length. A knife any shorter than nine inches will often result
in poor penetration; any length beyond sixteen inches will
cause the knife to be awkward and difficult to throw. Smaller
throwing knives may be used as distractions, but they
seldom cause serious wounds, and they are virtually
nonlethal.
The weight of a throwing knife is also important. Among
trained knife throwers, a well known approximate ratio of
one inch to the ounce is standard knowledge. Therefore, a
nine-inch throwing knife should weigh approximately nine
ounces, and a sixteen-inch throwing knife should weigh
approximately sixteen ounces. If a knife is too light, it will
have poor flight characteristics and not enough hitting
power.If a knife is too heavy, it is difficult to throw, has a
shorter range and is slow. An old Ninja maxim states that,
“A thrown knife should not fly like a feather or a rock, but
like the beak of a hawk.”
Last but not least, balance is another important factor
determined by a throwing knife’s design. It is inherently
related to the other two factors. The finest and most versatile
throwing knives can be thrown either by the handle or by the
blade. They are balanced exactly in the center of the knife.
Test this by balancing the knife on the end of one finger to
find its center of gravity.
Other knives are meant to be thrown by holding the
handle. These knives have blade ends which are heavier
than the ends of the handles. The balancing point will often
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

be found approximately in the center of the knife or up to one

inch toward the handle. Such knives require round numbers
of spins in order to hit a target point first. Thus a knife
thrown by the handle must make one, two, three-up to five
or six complete revolutions in order to strike home. Any
increment of half revolutions will not strike the target point
first. If this is not clear at this point, the matter will be
explained in the section on throwing methods.
Still other throwing knives are designed to be thrown by
holding the blade. Such knives have lighter blades and
heavier handles. The blade’s center of gravity will be found
anywhere from approximate center up to a inch toward the
point of the blade. These knives must be thrown in half
increment rotations. Therefore, in order to land point first,
knives thrown by holding the blade must make anywhere
from l/2 up to 5% and 6% revolutions in order to hit home.
The universal throwing knife is the most versatile and
easiest knife to begin training with. Handle-thrown knives
are the second best. Blade-thrown knives are slightly more
difficult to master for beginners.
Other facts about throwing knives.
Do not be surprised if throwing knives do not resemble
regular combat knives. Many throwing knives are flat and
do not have regular wood or plastic handles. They can be
used in hand-to-hand combat, but that is not their primary
function.
A note on throwing ordinary knives and miscellaneous
objects:
Any knife (or any object which can be picked up) can be
thrown effectively, once a Ninja understands both how an
object is balanced, and the basics of throwing: judging
distance, throwing methods and rotations. This includes
knives and objects not specifically designed for throwing:
hunting knives, kitchen knives, and even items seldom
considered to have potential as weapons, such as ice picks,
scissors and screwdrivers. Once the basics of knife throwing
contained in this book are learned, a Ninja can apply those
same principles to throwing almost anything. The general
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

rule of thumb is to find the center of balance of an object, and

understand how it flies. For example, a screwdriver can be
treated like a knife. If the handle is heavier, throw the object
by the blade, using full rotations. If the blade is heavier,
throw it by the handle, using half rotations. Practice with
such irregular items on large cardboard boxes. It will be
surprising just how many “household” items can be trans-
formed into deadly throwing weapons in the hands of a
Ninja who has mastered the art of throwing. But be careful;
items not designed to be thrown may be damaged or ruined
by such practice and training. It is often enough just to know
that the principles of Ninja knife throwing can be applied to
other objects as well.
One other caution remains to be explained. Knife throwing
is a difficult skill to learn which requires dedication,
determination and constant practice. Study the following
throwing and training methods and practice them con-
sistently. But once in combat, never throw a knife or other
weapon unless there is a good chance of distracting,
wounding, or slaying one’s opponent. A knife which misses
and does not affect an opponent results in wasted effort. And
it may even supply one’s enemy with a weapon he did not
have before.
 SECTION TWO:

Throwing Methods

The two basic ways of gripping a throwing knife are by the

handle and by the blade. The two basic throws are the
underhand and the overhand throw. Other more complicated
throws are performed with a sidearm motion. All of these
techniques, along with some variations, will be presented
and discussed in detail in this section. But first, how to carry
and conceal throwing knives must be discussed.

Carrying and Concealing Throwing Knives

Obviously, Ninja must either carry throwing knives on
them or have them accessible in some way in order for the
knives to be useful. There are a variety of carrying and
concealment methods, and many more which an inventive
Ninja can develop for his or her own use. The most important
factor is that the knife must be able to be drawn quickly. The
method of transporting a throwing knife must also be safe
and comfortable to the wearer. If concealment is a concern,
the knife should be invisible and silent. Here are some of the
basic methods of carrying and concealing throwing knives:

1. Carry the knife strapped to the leg or the arm, or tucked

in a boot or armband.
2. Carry the knife at the waist, in a sheath or tucked in
under a belt, sash, etc.
3. Suspend the knife behind the neck or beneath an armpit
by means of a loop of thread which should snap easily,
releasing the knife for use.
4. Carry the knife in the headband/mask wrappings.
5. Carry the knife concealed, but readily accessible, in
secret pouches or storage compartments in briefcases, packs,
books, etc.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

These are only a few of the possibilities. By now, the reader

has probably come up with some of his or her own ideas. Try
them out; invention and adaptation is an important part of
Ninjitsu.
The Throwing Stance
A Ninja should learn to throw knives accurately from any
position (even lying prone or hanging upside down), but
begin with the “Neko” or cat stance. The feet should form a
ninety degree angle and should be comfortably separated
one to one and a half shoulder widths apart. Most of the
weight should be centered over the rear leg. As part of the
proper throw, the weight should shift to the front leg and the
hips and shoulder should twist into the throw, rocketting the
body’s entire power into the smooth stroke of the throwing
arm. Aiming is calculated through the precise release of the
knife just before the end of the stroke, driving the weapon
with maximum force, velocity, and accuracy into the target.
A smooth follow through should be accompanied by a quick,
agile recovery-leaving the Ninja ready for the next throw.
See Photos 2.1 thru 2.4 for a depiction of the basic stance,
weight shift, follow through and recovery. Practitioners can
use this basic technique for most of the throws described in
this book, or modify the stance to suit their own needs.
The Handle Grip
When throwing a knife by the handle, grip the end of the
handle so that it is centered in the hand. The thumb should
rest against the inside of the handle and the rest of the
fingers should curl around the handle securely (see Photos
2.5 thru 2.8). Always throw knives so that they travel
vertically. Knives can be thrown horizontally, but they
travel and strike with less velocity, hitting power, and
penetration at longer distances.
The Blade Grip
To throw a knife by the blade (see Photos 2.9 thru 2.12),
grip the end of the blade with the thumb running parallel to
the length of the blade and the rest of the fingers curled up
against the opposite side. Again, throw the knife vertically.
 Two other grips are worth mentioning. These are the pinch
grip (see Photos 2.13 thru 2.15), and the palm grip (see Photos
2.16 thru 2.18). The pinch grip is performed by pinching
either the end of the handle or the point, primarily between
the thumb and forefinger. The palm grip is performed by
cupping the blade or the handle against the open palm, and
holding the knife against the palm with the thumb. These
grips can be used to throw underhand, overhand, sidearm,
vetically, or horizontally. All of these throws should be
practiced according to the guidelines which follow.
The Overhand Throw
After choosing the proper grip, cock the throwing arm just
behind the ear. Shifting the weight as explained in the
description of the throwing stance, cast the throwing arm
forward at the target, releasing the throwing knife just
before the end of the stroke. Follow through and recover.
Photos 2.19 and 2.20 show a Ninja using a blade grip in the
overhand throw.
The Underhand Throw
After selecting the proper grip, cock the throwing arm
back behind the hip. Propel the throwing arm forward,
releasing the throwing knife at the proper moment, just
before the end of the stroke. Follow through and recover.
Photos 2.21 and 2.22 show a Ninja using a palm grip in the
underhand throw. In this particular type of throw, the knife
is thrown straight into the target, usually at close range
(approximately ten feet or less). An interesting variation of
this throw reverses the motion, beginning with the knife in
front of the thrower. Ninja use this technique to throw
knives at pursuers while running.
Sidearm Throwing
The throwing techniques already mentioned are used to
throw either forwards or backwards. Similar to throwing a
frisbee or a baseball, sidearm knife throwing is more difficult
to master and requires a great deal of practice and training.
After selecting the proper grip, bring the throwing arm back
into the throwing position. Whether the knife is held to the
inside or the outside of the body, the throwing arm is swung
across the front of the body and released precisely before the
end of the cast. Follow through and recover. Photos 2.23 and
2.24 show a Ninja using a pinch grip in the sidearm throw.
The most difficult part of sidearm throwing is getting the
knife to fly straight at the target. Usually the knife goes to
one side or the other when beginners start practicing this
throw. The problem usually has to do with an improper
release.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Vertically Thrown Knife

viewed from the side

i
LESS
AIR
RESISTANCE

Vertical and Horizontal Throwing

First, the difference between vertical and horizontal
throwing should be made clear. When vertically thrown, and
when viewed from the side as it travels through the air, a
throwing knife looks similar to the knife in Diagram 2.1.
Vertically thrown knives travel swifter because they have
less air resistance. Horizontally thrown knives, viewed in
flight from the side, look similar to the knife in Diagram 2.2.
Because it travels flat against the wind, a horizontally
thrown knife meets greater resistance in the air. This
decreases distance, velocity and penetration.
For short distances, however (approximately 5 to 10 feet),
the horizontal throw is just as effective.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Horizontally Thrown Knife

viewed from the side

A. STRAIGHT THROW (SHORT DISTANCES)

B. SPINNING THROW

1
MORE AIR
RESISTANCE
AT GREATER
RANGES
Estimating Distances
A knife thrower must be able to judge distances with a
good degree of precision in order to throw accurately. Such
ability can only be gained from long hours of practice. Begin
with established distances which are marked off. (See the
following section on training.) Once a Ninja learns to hit a
target from any distance from five to thirty feet, he or she
should practice to be able to hit the target at any range in
between. Long distance throws from thirty up to fifty feet
can be practiced in advanced training.

Knife Rotations
Short range throws, approximately ten feet or less, usually
cause a knife to travel in a straight line to the target. Beyond
this range, however, throwing knives execute one or more
spins or half spins (up to several in number) before striking
the target. Only through experience and dedicated training
can a Ninja learn to estimate distance and judge how many
rotations or half rotations a knife will need to make in order
to strike a target point first. Remember that knives thrown
by the handle must execute whole or complete spins (1,2,3,4,
5,6, etc). Knives thrown by the blade must execute a number
of half spins (l/2,1%, 2%, 3%, 4X, i%, 6X, etc.) Once the basic
theories and principles listed in this section have been
learned, the Ninja must establish an effective training
program.
 SECTION THREE:

Training Methods and

Safety Concerns

Safety
The most important basic safety principles are:

1. Always wear safety glasses or goggles during any kind

of practice. Most serious injuries, if they do occur, are usually
to the eyes. Throwing knives, especially at short ranges,
sometimes take unexpected bounces, and may rebound back
at the thrower.
2. Always wear a mouthpiece, such as the kind worn by
boxers and football players, to protect the teeth. Broken
teeth are not serious injuries, but dental work is expensive.
3. Observers should always stand behind the thrower and
stay alert when knives are being thrown.
4. Place a backstop and target properly in order to
minimize any chance of a stray knife injuring people, pets, or
property.
5. Remember that throwing knives are not toys. They are
deadly weapons. Treat them as such at all times.
6. Keep throwing knives away from small children or
irresponsible adults.
7. Never throw a knife carelessly or in jest. Serious injury
usually results from fooling around with dangerous weapons.

When to Train
Set up a consistent schedule to throw knives at least three
times each week. Stick to the schedule with dedication and
determination. Throw at least two hundred knife casts for
each of the three weekly training sessions. Concentrate on
mastering each of the throwing techniques in this book one
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

at a time. Do not move onto the next technique until the one
before it is mastered, Work on proper technique first; a
thrown knife should stick firmly in the target. Second, work
on accuracy. Third, work on power. Fourth, work on speed.
Fifth and finally, work on throwing from any position. A
Ninja should be able to throw a knife accurately at any time,
from any position.

Where to Train
Select a safe area, inside or outside, with a proper backstop
and target. Beginning practitioners are normally very wild
with their throws. If the target is inside, in a room or
basement for example, there should not be any windows,
furniture, or any other objects nearby which could be
damaged. The best solution is to use an entire wall as a
backstop, either covering it with wood or padding. Never
throw knives at plaster or concrete walls. Plasterboard will
not hold up long and is costly to repair. Knives may go
through the plasterboard and become lost in between the
walls. Knives thrown against concrete will dull, bend, or
even break. They will also have a tendency to bounce off the
wall, which is dangerous.
Outside, make certain that there is plenty of clear room
around in order to throw. There should not be any people,
pets, or property within range of the target. Be aware, also,
that throwing knives outside will often attract a good deal of
attention. Onlookers should be briefed about the dangers
involved with being around a knife thrower.

The Backstop
Whether a target is used inside or outside, it needs to have
a backstop to stop the knives thrown at it. The backstop
provides a convenient place to hang a variety of targets,
most of which can be made out of paper. Constructing a good
backstop that will last for years is often neglected, but it is as
important as purchasing the right knives. It requires a
certain amount of time, work and money, but every serious
practitioner of Ninjitsu should make one. A basic design for
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

a portable/stationary backdrop is given below. The design is

a simple one, and can be modified to fit the specific needs of
the user (see Diagram 3.1, throwing knife backstop).

I 1
I
l l l 0

REAR SIDE
VIEW VIEW

0 l l l

Materials Needed:

(3) 6’x2”~12” planks of soft pine

(3) 6’x2”~4” boards
(10) 4” carriage bolts (or use at least twice as many nails
for a stationary backstop
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Tools Required:

Saw
Drill with proper bit to make the holes for the bolts
Wrench or ratchet to insert and remove bolts (or a hammer
to pound in the nails of stationary target)

The construction of the backstop is simple and under-

standable, even from glancing at the diagram. The portable
backstop is recommended over the stationary kind as it can
be disassembled, transported and reassembled elsewhere in
minutes. As well as transporting much easier, it can be used
inside or outside.
When putting the backstop together, make sure that the
bolts or nails do not protrude out of the front of the target.
This will prevent throwing knives from bending and
breaking. If the supporting post will be placed in the ground,
either by driving them in or using a posthole digger, cut them
to a point and place them two feet into the earth. The
backstop can also be leaned against a tree or wall.
If the backstop will be left outside for any length of time,
protect the wood by treating it with a coat or two of protective
stain or paint. Use the kind, commonly available, for
outdoor wood and furniture. With care, the backstop will last
for a long while, depending on how much it is used. But with
consistent training one or more of the front boards will need
to be replaced eventually. This is a relatively simple task.
Once the backstop is in place in a proper area, a Ninja will
want to consider targets.

Targets
The beginning practitioner may simply wish to mark off a
distance of ten feet from the backstop and use that as a
target. At first, just concentrate on hitting the target. Throw
at least ten knives at a time in order to avoid excessive trips
to and around the target to retrieve knives. Next, try to strike
the target with all ten knives and make them stick. Do not
throw hard. Power is one of the last areas to work on. It is
better to work on technique and accuracy at first; power and
speed will come later, with more time and practice. A Ninja
must learn to be patient.

32
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Practice the following throws, one at a time. Do not move

onto the next until it is consistently possible to make nine out
of ten knives stick. These are only the basic throws, a Ninja
will go on to develop throws of his or her own. Do not be
surprised if some throws are more difficult to master than
others. Often this will vary from person to person. Ninja
should always work at their own speed. Experience is the
greatest teacher.

1. Overhand Throw
2. Underhand Throw
3. Sidearm Throw
4. Palm Grip Throw
5. Pinch Grip Throw
6. Backwards Throw

If it will help to focus on one spot for aiming, concentrate

on the center of the middle board of the backstop. Staple or
tack an eight inch paper disk there if an actual target is
desired. Paper plates an also be used. After a Ninja learns to
hit this target consistently, he or she should switch to a four
inch paper disk, and then a two inch, and finally a one inch
disk. These can be cut out of colored paper or painted on
newspaper or newsprint with a template and a can of spray
paint. Arrange nine disk targets on the backstop as shown in
Diagram 3.2. This will avoid any chance of the knives
bouncing off each other. A Ninja is ready to move onto a
smaller sized disk target when he or she can place one knife
in each of the nine paper disks.
 .-... “s-w . . . . . I L I nnuwlnu

Advanced Disk Targets

Diagram 3.2

HIGH

0 0
BACI STOP
I MIDDLE

x /

0 0 0
LOW

B /

0 0 k ’. 0 PAPER
DISK
- TARGETS

I (ATTACH
WITH
STAPLES
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

I Moving Targets
Once the basic skills are mastered, at least once a week
(one of the three weekly sessions) a Ninja will want to train
with live, moving targets. What could be a more challenging
target than another Ninja? But one thing must be re-
membered: NEVER USE REAL KNIVES WHILE PRAC-
TICING WITH LIVE OPPONENTS. Instead, use one of the
practice knife patterns (see Diagram 3.3) to fashion ap-
propriate practice weapons out of soft wood, plastic or hard
rubber. Other designs can be invented, but they should fly
well, similar to a real throwing knife, and they should not
have sharp points. A crude, but effective training weapon
can also be made from cutting a l/2 inch diameter dowel rod
into 10 to 12 inch lengths and rounding the ends. Such
training weapons will not fly exactly like throwing knives,
but the flight characteristics will be close enough. They may
hurt a bit to get hit with one, especially in the face, so wear
the eye and mouth protection. But it will be better than being
struck with a real throwing knife. Be prepared for some
slight injuries and bruises, and try to concentrate on accuracy
rather than power.
To make the practice more realistic and instructional, coat
the tip of the knife in Vaseline. This will allow both the
thrower and the target to know if the point of the practice
knife struck correctly or not, as a spot of Vaseline will
remain. The Vaseline will usually wash out of most clothing.
For added realism, mix a litle red food coloring in with the
Vaseline. Practicing Ninja may wish to carry a small pot of
this practice blood with them to dip their knives into.
The thrower will concentrate on hitting the target accu-
rately. The opponent will concentrate on dodging or reaching
the thrower without getting hit. Try to make the training as
realistic as possible, and be honest. Practice safely. The
possibilities for such training are endless, limited only by
the imagination of the Ninja participating in it. Practitioners
must ask themselves:

Thrower: How can I best distract, wound, or kill my

opponent?
Target: How can I avoid getting hit and take out my
opponent?
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Two or more practitioners will want to work through a

number of scenarios. What if both Ninjas have throwing
knives? What if they are inside/outside, in the forest/city, or
in the day/night? Practicing realistic situations will prepare
the knife throwing Ninja for actual combat.
Once Ninja have mastered the basic skills at ten feet, and
have begun training with live targets, at least twice each
week (two of the three weekly training sessions), they should
still throw two hundred knives at their target. Mark or stake
off distances of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 feet from the target.
Some of the longer ranges will be difficult to manage inside.
This can also be performed with tape on floors or bright
spray paint on grass. The tape can always be removed from
the floor, and the spray paint will eventually wear away on
the grass. Begin to practice from these distances. Some
techniques will undoubtably prove to be better than others at
some ranges, but this also may differ from person to person.
It is up to practitioners to experiment and determine what
works best at a given range in a specific situation. Only
through actual practice and experience can useful knowledge
be gained.
Many beginning practitioners complain of losing some of
their knives, especially their practice knives for live target
training, due to bad throws, rebounds, and misses which
become difficult to find. To at least partially eliminate this
difficulty, a number of steps can be taken. One solution is to
spray paint the knives with a bright color. Another solution
is to tie a bright colored length of cord or wool to the knife.
The string will not affect the flight of the knife much, but it
will make it easier to find.

Long Range Throws

Knives are seldom thrown over distances of thirty feet, but
once Ninja have gained a mastery of the basic skills at this
distance, they may wish to mark or stake out longer ranges
of 35, 40, 45 and 50 feet. Fifty feet is the approximate
maximum range for a thrown knife. Such long range throws
require exceptional skill, power, and control to make a knife
stick at such a distance.
 Diagram 3.3
Practice Knife Patterns
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

The key to such training is practice. Nothing at all will be

learned simply by reading about these techniques. A true
Ninja must consistently go out three times each week and
throw two hundred knives. This training must continue in
all kinds of weather conditions for at least one year, or until
the basic skills of knife throwing are mastered.
 SECTION FOUR:

Knife Throwing in Combat

In actual combat, Ninja throw knives for three primary

purposes:

1) To Distract
2) To Wound
3) To Kill

There are other secondary and special uses, but these are
the three most basic purposes.

To Distract
Most people are easily distacted by something thrown at
them, especially if it is thrown at their face. There is a
natural reaction to protect the face and eyes. To effectively
distract an opponent, throw a knife as quickly and as
accurately as possible at his face. Usually an opponent will
try to avoid or dodge the knife. This will gain the Ninja time
to escape, create an opening for an attack, or perform some
other action. It doesn’t matter if the knife hits the target or
not, but if it does, so much the better.

To Wound
To wound an opponent is more difficult. The best chance is
to strike the softer areas of the lower torso, such as the
abdomen and the kidneys. The upper portions of the torso
are protected by bone. The thighs are a good wounding
target. A throwing knife in the muscle of the upper leg makes
running difficult or impossible. Such a wound will give
pause to any enemy. It may only slow him down, or it may
drop him or even strike the femoral artery and cause death
from blood loss in minutes.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

To Kill
To kill an opponent with a knife throw is the most difficult
purpose to achieve. The best lethal target is the throat or
neck. An accurately thrown blade can sever the windpipe,
one of the jugular veins, or even the spinal cord. Other lethal
targets are:

The Eyes
The Temples
The Open Mouth

Of course all of these targets are difficult to hit. Contrary

to accounts on television and in the movies, thrown knives to
the upper torso are seldom fatal. Most people cannot throw
hard enough to pierce the muscle and bone of the rib cage in
order to damage the major internal organs. A fortunate
throw is always possible, but should not be counted on or
expected in actual combat. The result of a thrown knife to the
upper torso will most likely be a wound of varied seriousness.

Secondary Uses
A Ninja may intentionally throw a knife so that it lands
flat or strikes a target with the butt of the handle, in an
attempt to subdue or stun an opponent. This is a difficult
technique to master, but it can be used to capture enemies
alive or simply to render them unconscious. Such stunning
blows are usually to the head.

Special Uses
Ninja may attach small blinding dust bombs, smoke,
explosive, or incendiary grenades to throwing knives in
order to increase their effectivenss of lethality. A simple
flaming knife, used to start fires, can be made by wrapping
strips of cloth soaked in flammable liquid around either the
handle or the blade (depending upon how the knife will be
thrown). The strips are ignited just prior to throwing the
knife.
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

Poisoned knives are another special use. Even a nick or a

scratch from a poisoned throwing knife can prove fatal.
Poisoned throwing knives can be made by coating the blade
with poison paste. It is best to throw poisoned throwing
knives by the handle. Avoid coming in direct contact with
the poison.
I Defense
SECTION

Against
FIVE:

Thrown
Knives

A Ninja needs to be prepared to defend him or herself

against thrown knives. There are three basic ways to
accomplish this:

1) Dodging
2) Blocking
3) Catching

These are listed in order of their difficulty to perform.

Dodging
In order to successfully evade thrown knives, a Ninja must
understand how a knife flies when it is thrown. Once this is
accurately understood, a Ninja can effectively judge how a
knife will come at him. Fortunately, a thrown knife is
committed to its path of flight once the thrower releases it. If
the Ninja can time his actions just right, he will move just a
split second before the knife is released. At that point the
thrower is committed and cannot take back his action. By
the time the knife reaches its target, the Ninja is no longer
there. A knife is not a guided missile; it will not actively seek
out its target if the target moves, but will continue along its
path of flight. Once a Ninja understands this, he or she can
duck under, sidestep, or otherwise evade a thrown knife.
This should be practiced with safe practice knives only. Such
knowledge will prove invaluable to attacker and defender
alike.
Blocking
Thrown knives can also be knocked down, blocked, or
otherwise deflected out of the air with weapons, everyday
objects, or even by hand. Always evade the knife first, if
 NINJA KNIFE THROWING

possible. In this way, if the block fails, no injury will result.

With a sword or staff, for example, a Ninja can simply sweep
the knife out of the air. If a weapon is not handy, then any
object (such as a book or even a kitchen post) can be used.
Timing is important. Y
Swatting knives out of the air by hand is dangerous and
not recommended to anyone who is not a highly trained
Ninja. This should be practiced with caution and with safe
practice knives. Concentrate on slapping the knife away
with the hand or the firearm. The tell-tale training blood will
tell how successful the attempt was.

Catching
Snatching a thrown knife out of the air without harm
requires the utmost mastery, and is not recommended to
anyone but Ninjitsu masters. This technique should not be
practiced until one’s dodging and blocking skills are flawless.
Evade the knife first, and try to pinch or snatch the spinning
handle out of the air as it goes by. DO NOT TRY THESE
DANGEROUS TECHNIQUES WITH REAL KNIVES.

Treating Throwing Knife Injuries

Whether in practice or in actual combat, throwing knife
injuries may result. A Ninja must be prepared for any
situation, even for the eventuality that despite all his
training, he may become wounded. Treat any wound
seriously and take care of it as soon as possible. Even with
small wounds there is always the chance of poison or
infection. Remember that the best treatment is prevention;
avoid becoming a casualty. Safety must always be main-
tained to the highest degree possible.
If a wound does occur, seek the best medical attention
possible immediately. Apply direct pressure first. If that is
not effective, apply indirect pressure and elevate the wounded
portion of the body (except in the case of head wounds). A
true Ninja should be familiar with the types of wounds
which throwing knives can possibly cause, and how such
wounds should be treated. Any serious Ninja will know
advanced first aid and will never be without an emergency
first aid kit to deal with both major and minor injuries.
 AFTERWORD
Some misinformed people believe that the knife is the
favorite or even the preferred weapon of the Ninja. This is
not true. Although a knife is the first weapon, outside of the
weapons of mind and body, that a Ninja trains with, to say
that a knife is the favorite weapon of the Ninja is erroneous.
Ninja do not have favorite weapons. They are capable of
using all weapons and are free to use no weapons. Knife
throwing is just one facet of Tanto-jitsu (knife art), which is
in turn only one facet of The Way.