Weapon Origins

While battling enemies, Yuffie uses traditional Japanese concealed weapons called shurikens, also known as "throwing stars" or "ninja stars" (Often referred to as stars because of the shuriken's special shape). These weapons are usually used by ninjas and are generally used as throwing weapons or sometimes stabbing or slashing weapons.
The shurikens Yuffie uses in battle are usually strikingly powerful. Their origins lie deeper than meets the eye, so this page provides a short analysis on each individual weapon. Please click on the weapon's artwork thumbnail for a larger version of the artwork.


4 Point Shuriken
In the game, this is her initial weapon and thus nothing fancy, very simple. A four pointed steel shuriken, the 4 Point Shuriken originates from the Juuji Shuriken (incidentally also the name of Yuffie's initial weapon in the Japanese version; 十字手裏剣). Juuji Shurikens are Four Point throwing stars commonly used by ninjas. These cross throwing stars are usually thrown as a charge shot attack, giving the enemy a powerful blow.

Boomerang
A common phenomenon, the boomerang (FFVII-J: ブーメラン) is used by Yuffie as her second equipped weapon. Yuffie's boomerang has a metal edge spun around it, enhancing its sharp contact with the enemy. The original boomerang is a wooden object that we often connect to the Australian Aboriginals. Its original purposes were to hunt, but a boomerang is also used worldwide for religious, recreational and even sporting purposes. However hard you throw it at your enemy, a boomerang is known for the fact that it always comes back to its original thrower!

Pinwheel
The Pinwheel (or Fuusha -風車) is an example of a recurring weapon in the Final Fantasy series. As seen on Rinoa Heartilly in FFVIII, a pinwheel is an object that we've undoubtedly seen (or wanted!) in our childhoods. You must remember these colourful objects that collect wind in appropriate weather. The pinwheel is also one of Yuffie's origami weapons, as a pinwheel originates in the Japanese Tamatebako folk origami folding.

Razor Ring
Also FFVIII's Rinoa Heartilly's initial weapon, the Razor Ring is a simple looking weapon that was probably named after its ever so sharp edges that can cut the enemy deeply. The Engetsurin/Engetsuwa in Japanese (円月輪 ), the weapon is another recurring item in the Final Fantasy series, as it can be obtained in FF: Crystal Chronicles, FFIV, FFV (Full Moon Ring) and FFVIII. A full moon throwing ring used by ninjas.

Hawkeye
The Hawkeye (ホークアイ) is one of Yuffie's weapons that originate in origami folding. The Hawkeye is a technique that provides its folder with a paper somewhat resembling a sharply folded bird (hawk, if you please), although this folding technique's outcome does not resemble Yuffie's weapon looks-wise. FFVII's Hawkeye weapon is shaped as if it were a hawk's wing, in contrast with its name.

Crystal Cross
The Crystal Cross (クリスタルクロス) is a weapon that is named after the material it consists of. The bright weapon bears sharp edges all around, ensuring the sharpest blow upon its enemy.

Wind Slash
The Wind Slash ("Fuukiri" - 風斬り) was known as a wind-elemental damage enducing attack in previous Final Fantasy games (FFV, FFVI), but is a strong weapon for Yuffie in this game. A weapon that is often mistaken to be elemental, the Wind Slash looks like a green Asian fanning device, confirming its relation to the element wind. The name is based upon its ability to cut through enemies so rapidly as if it were air.

Twin Viper
Another weapon that is most probably named based upon its looks. The Twin Viper (ツインヴァイパー) is a weapon that consists of two half-moon shaped very sharp blades connected in the middle where Yuffie can grab a hold of it.

Spiral Shuriken
The Spiral Shuriken is a spiral shaped shuriken (...) that makes a very loud, zinging, whistling noise when attacked and spun against the enemy. In FFVII-J, the weapon is known as the "Manji Shuriken" (卍手裏剣), also to be obtained in the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI (a throwing weapon that can be used by all races).

Superball
The Superball (スーパーボール) is one of Yuffie's peculiar weapons, really, because it's nothing more than a large ball that she uses to attack. (How? Don't ask me!) However, when you look at it closely (especially considering the artwork), it looks a lot like an oversized version of Yuffie's favourite things in the whole world -- Materia! So it all makes sense, really.
(Sidenote: the Superball was also a damage-enducing item that you could purchase in FFVI, doing non-elemental damage to all your enemies if used in battle!)

Magic Shuriken
A six-bladed sharp throwing shuriken. Its name corresponds with its once-upon-a-time enchantment. Known as the "Fuuma Shuriken" (風魔手裏剣) in FFVII-J, the weapon has more of a story; The Fuuma Shuriken is a famous Japanese Shuriken, also known as the "Shadow Windmill Shuriken" or the "Japanese Boomerang" or the "Windmill of Death". Though it has many nicknames, Fuuma Shuriken literally translates to "Wind Demon". The weapon can also be seen in FFIV as an item for use with Edge's Throw ability.

Rising Sun
Though the weapon's name is of English origin (it's called Rising Sun in both the Japanese - ライジングサン - and English version..), the connotation it carries brings forth a feeling of the far East, particularly East Asian cultures. An example of confirmation of this fact is that Japan is popularly known as the land of the rising sun. This corresponds with the 'Asian' heritage Yuffie bears in relation to Wutai.
If you are somewhat familiar with the Final Fantasy series, this is a weapon that you have no doubt heard of before.
In previous FFs, the Rising Sun has been a weapon in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (where both the classes Gadgeteer and White Monk can learn abilities from the weapon) and Final Fantasy VI, where the Rising Sun is one of the thief Locke Cole's weapons.
After FFVII, both Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X had characters that could obtain a weapon named the Rising Sun. In FFVIII, this was the female protagonist Rinoa Heartilly and in FFX it was the sassy thief Rikku.

Oritsuru
Of Japanese origin, Oritsuru (折り鶴 ) literally means paper crane. In both the Japanese and English version, the name was kept the same, maintaining a certain Asian and cultural tone to it. The paper crane refers to the origami bird that is notorious for its difficulty in folding. Although Yuffie doesn't use it as a means to break out of a prison, her oritsuru's tight folds and sharp edges are sure to cut an enemy out of the picture!

Conformer
Yuffie's brightly coloured final weapon almost looks like it belongs in an 80's music video. But don't let it fool you, the weapon definitely confirms the heights this ninja's physical damages can reach! Found in the sunken airplane Gelinka, this weapon's name origin does not have any cultural meanings or whatnot. In FFVII-J, the weapon is called Fugutaiten (不倶戴天), which basically means the same as Conformer, although it is literally more complicated.

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