A traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing. Ninja stars, or Shuriken, were invented in the Three Year War (1083-1087 AD) by Tadamasa. He first created it from a short sword.[1] They are sharpened hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items, such as needles, nails and knives, as well as coins, washers, and other flat plates of metal. Shuriken is the name given to any small-bladed object, while shaken is traditionally used to indicate the well-known "throwing star".