subject: Ninja Tools Are Serious Stuff [print this page] Kids like to imagine and dress up, pretending to be the coolest new movie or hit show. Ninja gear is cool. Dressing up and running around your neighborhood in the dark, pretending to be a pseudo good/bad guy mix? Maybe not so cool. Especially if you are a forty five year old gamer who lives in his mother's basement and has no girlfriend. What? Seriously? It IS cool to wear ninja gear? Askaninja is the coolest show on Youtube? Ninja rule the world? Seriously?
Well, if you are forty five and live in your mom's basement and have no girlfriend, maybe you should dress up like a ninja and go to a costume party and meet some real people and get a life! World of Warcraft just doesn't cut it as far as having a social life.
Actually, ninja gear is serious and fun at the same time. While the weapons might seem harmless, they can really hurt people if you aren't careful. Sai are weapons developed in Okinawa by peasants banned from carrying swords after the Samurai came to power in Japan. Adapted for ninja usage, they were probably originally a farm implement used to measure grain and harvest rice. They have three prongs going up from a central handle. The middle shaft is the longest, with the two on the sides normally equal length.
The sai can be used as a defensive weapon to deflect swords and spear and as an offensive weapon to impale opponents. Sai can be used as a non-lethal weapon, but should always be handled with care. Nunchaku(nun chucks) are also from Okinawa. These distinctive sticks attached with a cord appear in almost any martial arts movie. As any person who has tried them knows, these are not a toy and care should be taken in their use.
Nunchaku can easily injure not your opponent, but also smack you in the face if you are not careful and well trained in their use. A great deal of practice will be of great help learning these, as well as getting a foam and rubber nunchuku to learn with.
Throwing stars, or shuriken, are recognized as dangerous weapons and are banned from most schools and public events. Shuriken can be very painful to handle. Their multi bladed surfaces can be very sharp and thrown just like a knife. While not usually deadly, shuriken can still injure and potentially maim someone. Take care with all martial arts supplies and tools and treat them with respect. You'll make it out of the basement yet. Actually, joining a dojo is great way to make friends and learn how to properly use these weapons.
