Horimono
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Horimono (彫り物, 彫物, literally carving, engraving) is a word used to describe to describe the carving of images into the blade of a Japanese sword. The terms horimono or chōkoku[1] (彫刻, "sculpture") are used to describe the carving of images into Japanese swords including katana and tantō. The carving is used mostly for ceremonial blades due to the inherent weakness in a carved blade.[2] The engravings are created by a chōkokushi (彫刻師), also called a horimonoshi (彫物師, "engraver"). These come in a huge variety of designs including kozumi (claws), kusa kurikara (草倶利伽羅) (Arabesque style), Munenagabori (created in Munenaga), rendai (lotus pedastal), tokko (a type of Indian sword), fruit, dragons, and many others.
