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Kunai (クナイ), like shuriken, are one of the most common tools used by shinobi. It is a black dagger — about the length of one's hand — with a handle wrapped in bandages and a ring-like pommel. While usually kept in a shinobi's weapon pouch, they can also be kept on spring-loaded wires up the user's sleeve.[1]

Kunai generally are designed for thrusting and stabbing, but can be thrown as a projectile as well. Using it as ranged weapon, shinobi can attach an explosive tag to the blade, causing it to detonate when it reaches near its target. This use of the weapon is known as an explosive kunai (起爆クナイ, kibaku kunai). Kunai can also be empowered with chakra, allowing them to be capable of cutting through solid wood and stone.

Types of Kunai[]

Different types of kunai have been seen in the series:

  • Zabuza Momochi was shown using a special kunai that curved inward on one side, making it more suitable for stabbing and thrusting.[2] This type is also shown used by Kirigakure in the anime.
  • Before the first part of the Chūnin Exams, Zaku Abumi used kunai with holes in the middle and no rings at the ends.[3]
  • The kunai that Kotetsu Hagane threw at Sukima during the first part of the Chūnin Exams had a tassel connected to the ring (possibly to make it more noticeable).[4]
  • During the second part of the Chūnin Exams, Team Oboro used double-bladed kunai while facing Team 7.[5]
Minato Kunai

Minato's marked kunai.

Kunai Launching Weapons[]

  • Kiba Inuzuka employed the use of a clone of Akamaru to release kunai when approached. The doppelgänger swelled and then burst, launching the kunai at the opponent.[27]
  • Dotō Kazahana's army of Yukigakure ninja used mortars mounted on their train compartments to launch massive amounts of kunai at a very rapid rate.[28]
Using kunai launcher

Kunai gun from Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds.

  • Tenten's metal sphere had kunai welded into it which, when detonated, sent shrapnel fragments flying in an omnidirectional manner.[29]
  • Chiyo used a simple length of cord to thread numerous kunai together, in such a manner that the entirety could be released and thrown consecutively with just a single motion.[30] A similar arrangement was employed by a shinobi of the Third Division, during their attack on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, in the Fourth Shinobi World War.[31]
  • In the anime, kunai-launching cannons were used as part of a trap, firing automatically at intruders.[32]
  • The ninja of the Land of the Sky equipped themselves with Handheld Kunai Launchers that could fire kunai rapidly, similar to machine guns.[33]
  • The ninja of the Land of the Sky set up crossbows that launched kunai as traps in Amaru's village after attacking it.[33]
  • When Hiruko declared war against the Five Great Shinobi Countries and Konohagakure was blamed for it, Tsunade had prepared a large amount of mortars with giant kunai loaded into them, akin to missile launchers, in an attempt to defend her village from Sunagakure's attack.[34]

Trivia[]

  • Historically, in reality, the kunai were just simple farming tools similar to trowels. When the Japanese emperor announced Martial Law and banned weapons, farming tools were among the easily disguised substitutes adopted, mostly because of how cheap they were to manufacture. Kunai were not as effective as projectiles compared to actual throwing knives and shuriken, but owing to their original purpose as a gardening implement, they were still effective stabbing implements that could be used as a crowbar or a climbing piton, or attached to a shaft to make an improvised spear.

References[]

  1. Naruto chapter 283, page 18
  2. Naruto chapter 26, page 3
  3. Naruto chapter 40, page 5
  4. Naruto chapter 41, page 17
  5. Naruto chapter 62, pages 4-6
  6. Naruto chapter 73, page 19
  7. Second Naruto artbook, page 4
  8. Naruto chapter 239, page 8
  9. Naruto chapter 523, page 3
  10. Naruto episode 204
  11. 11.0 11.1 Naruto episode 214
  12. Naruto chapter 268, pages 5-7
  13. Naruto chapter 533, page 5
  14. Naruto chapter 322, page 16
  15. Naruto chapter 530, page 8
  16. Naruto chapter 456, pages 3, 6
  17. Naruto: Shippūden episode 199
  18. Naruto chapter 526, page 7
  19. Naruto chapter 548, page 6
  20. Naruto chapter 628, pages 3-4
  21. Naruto: Shippūden episode 178
  22. Naruto: Shippūden episode 184
  23. Naruto: Shippūden episode 224
  24. Naruto: Shippūden episode 465
  25. 25.0 25.1 Naruto Shippūden the Movie
  26. Boruto episode 93
  27. Naruto chapter 205, page 7
  28. Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
  29. Naruto chapter 256, page 8
  30. Naruto chapter 264, page 16
  31. Naruto chapter 523, page 3
  32. Naruto: Shippūden episode 184
  33. 33.0 33.1 Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds
  34. Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire
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