Horimono

Antique Japanese wakizashi sword blade showing the horimono, of a chrysanthemum.

Horimono (彫り物, 彫物, literally carving, engraving), also known as chōkoku (彫刻, "sculpture"), are the engraved images in the blade of a Japanese sword, which may include katana or tantō blades. The artist is called a chōkokushi (彫刻師), or a horimonoshi (彫物師, "engraver"). There are a variety of designs, which include kozumi (claws), kusa kurikara (草倶利伽羅) (Arabesque style), Munenagabori (created in Munenaga), rendai (lotus pedastal), fruit, dragons, and many others.

Gallery

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External links

• Image of blades with Horimono
• Image of Horimono Blade
• So-ken Kin-ko To-shin Cho-koku Katayama Shigetsune
• Modern engraved blades pictures