This is partly because shurikenjutsu was a secret art and also due to the fact that throughout early Japanese history there were many independent exponents of the skill of throwing long, thin objects.
See on osaliselt tingitud sellest, et shurikenjutsu oli salajane võitluskunst ning Jaapani ajaloos on olnud palju sõltumatuid näiteid pikkade ja õhukeste esemete viskamise oskusest.