''Horimono'' (, , literally carving, engraving), also known as ''chōkoku'' (, "sculpture"), are the engraved images in the blade of a nihonto ()
Japanese sword
A is one of several types of traditionally made swords from Japan. Bronze swords were made as early as the Yayoi period (1000 BC – 300 AD), though most people generally refer to the curved blades made from the Heian period (794 – 1185) to t ...
, which may include
katana
A is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the ''tachi'', it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge ...
or
tantō
A is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (Commons:Nihonto, ''nihonto'') that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the year ...
blades. The artist is called a ''chōkokushi'' (), or a ''horimonoshi'' (, "engraver"). There are a variety of designs, which include ''tsume'' () "claws", ''kusa kurikara'' () (
Arabesque
The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Another definition is "Foli ...
style), ''Munenagabori'' (created in
Munenaga), ''renge'' () (lotus blossom) and ''rendai'' () (lotus pedestal), fruit, dragons, and many others.
Tattooing
Horimono can also refer to the practice of traditional tattooing in Japanese culture; while
irezumi
(also spelled or sometimes ) is the Japanese word for tattoo, and is used in English to refer to a distinctive style of Japanese tattooing, though it is also used as a blanket term to describe a number of tattoo styles originating in Japan, inc ...
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
File:Wakizashi with horimono.jpg
File:Japanese katana with horimono (blade carving).jpg
File:Horimono on nihonto.jpg
File:Nakago no katana Met 2004.401.jpg
See also
*
Hajichi
References
External links
Image of blades with HorimonoSo-ken Kin-ko To-shin Cho-koku Katayama ShigetsuneModern engraved blades pictures
Japanese swords
Japanese tattooing
{{Sword-stub