Horimono

File:脇差 固山宗兵衛宗次, Wakizashi forged by Koyama Sōbei Munetsugu 2.jpg

Wakizashi forged by Koyama Sōbei Munetsugu with a horimono engraved on the blade by Shōji Zenbei Nobutatsu. A vajra is engraved to pray for the protection of the offspring. Edo period

File:Wakizashi horimono.jpg

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

Horimono (, , literally carving, engraving), also known as chōkoku (, "sculpture"), are the engraved images in the blade of a nihonto () Japanese sword, which may include katana or tantō blades. The artist is called a chōkokushi (), or a horimonoshi (, "engraver").

There are a variety of designs, which include tsume () "claws", kusa kurikara () (Arabesque style), Munenagabori (created in Munenaga), renge () (lotus blossom) and rendai () (lotus pedestal), fruit, dragons, and many others as auspicious motifs.

Tattooing

Horimono can also refer to the practice of traditional tattooing in Japanese culture; while irezumi usually refers to any tattooing (and often has negative connotations in Japan), "horimono" is usually used to describe full-body tattoos done in the traditional style. In some cases, these tattoos can cover the whole body, including the arms and legs.

This type of tattoo is traditionally done using a tebori (手彫り) - an instrument constructed of a bundle of needles affixed to a bamboo rod. Public knowledge on this style of tattooing is limited, and one must enter an apprenticeship under a master in order to learn.

Gallery

• Wakizashi forged by Nanki Shigekuni (ja) with a horimono engraved on the blade by Ikeda Gonsuke Yoshiteru. Edo period, 1622, Important Sword
  Wakizashi forged by Nanki Shigekuni (ja) with a horimono engraved on the blade by Ikeda Gonsuke Yoshiteru. Edo period, 1622, Important Sword
• A reproduction of the Nihon-go, one of the Three Great Spears of Japan. Forged in 1967 by Living National Treasure Masamine Sumitani and engraved with a horimono by Sensyū Kokeguchi.
  A reproduction of the Nihon-go, one of the Three Great Spears of Japan. Forged in 1967 by Living National Treasure Masamine Sumitani and engraved with a horimono by Sensyū Kokeguchi.
• File:Wakizashi with horimono.jpg
• File:Japanese katana with horimono (blade carving).jpg
• File:Nakago no katana Met 2004.401.jpg

See also

• Hamon (swordsmithing)
• Hajichi

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

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