grip

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.

Kenji

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?”

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.

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.