Horimono/Hi

Horimono - Decorative carvings and symbols carved on the blade

Hi - also written as 'bi' are the grooves on a Japanese sword,  usually located in the Ji, the area just above the shinogi, or ridge line. There are many styles, many of them are presented below.

Bo-bi

A wide long groove down the length of the sword. Its located above the Shinogi and below the Mune. This groove is not the shinogi line. The end of the groove in the Kissaki can vary and details can be located in the references.

Shinogi-bi

This grove is similar to the Bo-bi except the lower part of the groove is the shinogi line.

Futasuji-bi

Two long grooves along the blade. If the grooves are short then its called Gomabashi as seen below.

Misuji-bi

There are three long thin grooves, also called Sanbon-bi.

Soe-bi

If a blade has Bo-bi and another small thin groove below the shinogi its called Soe-bi.

Gomabashi

Two short thin grooves that start near the Machi (near the Habaki) and do not go the length of the blade. If the grooves are along the entire blade they are called Futasuji-bi (see above).

Koshi-bi

A short single groove that starts near the Machi and does not go the length of the blade. This is like Gomabashi but a single groove.

Kaku-dome

The groove stops in front of the Machi and has a squared end.

Maru-dome

The groove ends in front of the Machi with a rounded end.

Naginata-bi

This style is seen most often on Naginata. It has a Bo-bi from the Machi part way down the Ji, then there is a small groove, called Soe-bi, below the Shinogi and past the end of the Bo-bi.

Horimono

Images not yet available.