Name/Title
ShurikenEntry/Object ID
62; Full Code: 62.17.20-KN-NBTags
KnifeDescription
This artifact is a Five-Pointed Shuriken (specifically a Hira-Shuriken or "flat shuriken"), documented as being acquired in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1997. It represents a modern reproduction of a traditional Japanese concealed projectile, engineered for Rotational Stability and Multi-Vector Impact. This specimen serves as a record of late-20th-century martial arts "enthusiast" hardware, documenting the global spread of the ninja (Shinobi) aesthetic.
Core Components & Engineering
The Geometry (Five-Point Star): A flat, symmetrical steel plate with five sharpened radial points.
Physics of Symmetry: The five-point configuration ensures that the center of gravity is perfectly balanced.
Mechanical Logic: Unlike a throwing knife, which requires a specific "half-turn" or "full-turn" release to hit point-first, a shuriken is Rotationally Agnostic. Because a sharpened point occurs every 72°, there is a nearly 100% mathematical "Certainty" that one of the points will make initial contact with the target regardless of the distance or number of rotations.
Surface Ornamentation (Kanji Inscriptions):
Administrative Context: The central hub features etched Kanji characters, traditionally used to signify school (Ryu) or mystical protective symbols. In this modern context, it documents the item’s origin within the "Ninja" commercial era of the 1990s.
Surface Condition: The steel exhibits a dark, aged patina and some surface oxidation, documenting nearly 30 years of curation. This "Working Patina" serves as a chronological record of the artifact's history since 1997.
Point Architecture: Each of the five points is chisel-ground.
Operational Logic: The wide base of each point provides Structural Integrity, ensuring that the tip does not buckle upon impact with high-density targets (like wood or organic shielding).Made/Created
Manufacturer
Unknown ArtisanDate made
circa 1997Dimensions
Dimension Description
3.5” DAcquisition
Acquisition Method
Purchase
