A kunai throwing knife is a type of Japanese weapon that is designed to be thrown. "Kunai" means "needle". The pointy end of the blade has a small hole which will help it fly true, and it can be used as an effective tool for digging up soil. Blades can range from 3 to 12 inches long and tend not to have sharp edges because they're meant to be thrown. For the average person, finding information about a kunai knife may seem trivial or even useless. 

But serious warriors carry one in case of battle or survival situations where weapons are necessary. A kunai can be thrown to distract an opponent while you escape or even detain an attacker for help. And since it's not likely anyone will have one on their person as they walk down the street, it's a good idea to know what they are. 

This knife is traditionally a Japanese farming implement used for the hoeing of rice paddies. But, in modern times, it has been adopted by martial artists (mostly from Japan) who use it as a throwing knife or as an all-purpose survival tool. The type of instrument being thrown and its intended purpose dictate which form or style uses the kunai knife. 

Most well-known is the art of ninjutsu which uses this item for its exceptionally lethal shuriken practice. When carrying out a throw against an opponent, the ninja employs either a front-hand grip or an inverted grip to keep his fingertips on top of the blade in order to maximize force and accuracy.

How is a Kunai Knife Made?

Kunai knife is a Japanese term that typically refers to throwing knives that have tapered points in the shape of a curved sickle. These double-edged blades were used as early as the 12th or 13th century during warfare. The name is a compound word derived from "kunai" (??), meaning "to cut or scratch with care." Kunai are primarily manufactured by forge welding two pieces of metal together to create one long, thin blade.


The blade's shape and point provide significant cutting power when thrown while remaining lightweight and easy to handle even with gloves on. Kunai are now also used for training purposes, including teaching new martial artwork such as ninjutsu. According to Japanese legend, the kunai was created by Kunitoki, a blacksmith who forged the first blade for a boy named Mokuzai. In Kunio Okami's "Ninja Scroll", Kunio is given this blade and through his training, learns to throw it with deadly accuracy and efficiency. 

He eventually uses it to defeat the ninja master Kakizaki, who had been torturing and attempting to brainwash him into madness in order to obtain his skills. The ninja quickly lost confidence in his skills after this brush with death. Later on, he develops a strong feeling of respect for the weapon he used so well against Kakizaki.

Historical Uses and Applications of Kunai Knife

Kunai knives are one of the most iconic weapons in anime and manga. One of their best-known uses is for committing Seppuku, which is a Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment traditionally performed by samurai. Kunai were also used as a weapon by ninjas in feudal Japan, with the purpose of concealment or to throw at enemies from afar. Here are some of the major uses of a kunai throwing knife:

1. Hunting

In the anime and manga, one of the main uses of a kunai knife is for hunting wild animals. The kunai knife is made for chopping bushes and vines, so it's perfect for hunting animals in thick woods. It is a Japanese dagger-like tool. It was originally designed to be a farming tool but has been used in hunting since the 1800s. 

A kunai knife is typically between 2 and 5 pounds, making it easy to carry while also having enough heft to cut through the brush. The blade can be 4 or 5 inches long and come with a 10-inch handle (the length of which can vary). The blade itself comes in various shapes such as triangle, triangular, or square.

2. Self-Defense 

When it comes to self-defense, a kunai knife has one of the largest advantages over other self defense weapons. It dents and scratches rather than cuts into flesh. This makes it an effective weapon in close-distance combat, and because the tips are so sharp, a kunai can be used to inflict lethal injuries or even death if directed at a vital area like arteries and veins (arterial puncture) or eyes (puncturing).

3. Diversion

This is a simple and effective way to distract an enemy by throwing a kunai at them.


4. Hanging

It's not only used for hunting but it's also used as a tool to commit suicide by hanging. Not all people in samurai society committed seppuku with a kunai since the use of the knife was somewhat frowned upon. Some people simply preferred the clean cut of a sword like a katana.

5. Artistic

There is a unique art form in Japan where kunai are used to draw pictures in rice fields. This is called Kaba-machi. 

Modern Uses of Kunai Throwing Knives

A kunai throwing knife is a throwing knife with a serrated edge or sharpened cutting edge and a straight handle. Kunai knives were historically used in battle and as tools for general utility. Modern uses of these cool knives include usage by martial artists, survivalists, scouts, soldiers, geologists, archeologists, and treasure hunters to name just a few. In recent years, kunai knives have been used as tactical weapons and survival tools for military forces in the Middle East, Asia, and other parts of the world.

The serrated edge makes it easier to slice through rope, cords, animal sinew, and other natural fibers. The sharpened cutting edge can also be used to make other holes or to cut debris within its vicinity. A kunai knife is an excellent tool because of its utility as an all-purpose knife with a long history of use in combat situations. These knives make ideal survival knives and are popular among survivalists for their modularity and utility in a variety of situations. 

Kunai knives are also used by geologists and other scientists to dig through hard ground with their serrated edges. Kunai knives have a long history of use in the Japanese military. Scouts and soldiers make use of kunai knives in battle situations because of their versatility. One survey conducted on the soldier community shows out of 197 votes, 80% say kunai knives can be useful in a combat situation with 72% saying it depends on how it is used.

Kunai are most often associated with ninjas, who historically used them for both utility purposes and as weapons. A kunai knife can be thrown much like a shuriken or boomerang at targets up to 30 meters away. These knives are often used to foil the eyes of the enemy and to distract them before an attack. These knives can also be used as weapons. Martial artists make use of kunai knives for their utility as utility and combat tools.

The Popularity of Kunai Among Ninjas and Samurai

But why is the kunai throwing knife so famous among ninjas and samurai? The basic answer of course is that it's just a very versatile tool for use during combat and in daily life, and due to the fact that they're so cheap, most commoners can afford them. They're also pretty easy to make, they require little training for effective use, and they have a lot of potential applications in many different areas. 

As an example, the tips can be filed down or sharpened if needed for close combat with enemies like animals or people. One of the most important things when it comes to the use of a kunai is that it can be thrown. This is one of its most effective uses, and this alone makes the kunai knife a formidable weapon.

The kunai knife dates back to the Middle Ages (13th-16th century) when a weapon like daggers was used as an alternative to spears and short swords. The first historical record of such a weapon was created in 1331 on account of Japanese soldiers using them during an attempted invasion of Korea. Kunai came into their own during Japan's Civil War era.

In fact, the word "kunai" originates from the name of a town in Iga called Kunisaki. This is where ninjas lived, and they've been using this weapon ever since then. It's a small knife that can be used for self-defense, hunting, farming, or simply for the design of it. The kunai knives we see in anime and manga are usually larger than the ones used in real life to give them an exaggerated sense of power.