Shuriken translates to "a blade hidden in the hand", but it is more commonly used to refer to japanese throwing weapons. Shurikens are divided into two types, Bo shuriken (棒手裏剣) are straight, nail-like throwing blades, and hira shuriken (平手裏剣) are metallic throwable plates or stars. In the Bujinkan, we practice the use of both by employing chopsticks for the practice of bo shuriken and calling cards or similar for the practice of hira shuriken, or other similarly safe items. Metallic bo shuriken are thrown to a target to further practice their use.

Bo shuriken are thrown in such a way, that the weapon rotates as little as possible and the point is directed at the opponent for most of the duration of the flight. This throwing style is called jiki da-ho, whereas the style where the weapon rotates similarly to the western knife throwing technique is called han-ten da-ho. Throwing the shuriken is challenging in technique and requires much practice, which is why in the Bujinkan the practice of throwing shuriken incorporates throwing from various distances and angles. Alongside the bo shuriken, Bujinkan employs the flat teppan and senban shuriken, which belong to the group of hira shuriken.

The shuriken could also be used in close-quarters-combat as improvised melee weapons if necessary, and they were not only the tools of ninjutsu. Many traditional samurai styles include the use of shuriken as part of their teachings. Shuriken jutsu has most likely developed from the practice of throwing stones and sharpened coins.