Horimono, Hamon-Like Sword Engraving In The Sinosphere.

[___]

Throughout Korea and Vietnam (with Vietamese swords, these are more like floral designs and hamon designs similtaniously, and are most of the time etched, not chiseled in)  these are mostly quite common. I swear I've seen something like this on Japanese blades, they probably exist on Chinese blades too (the ones that are left at least    ). Anyone seen these and know what they are called? in any language?

 

 

Thanks,

[___]

      

 

 

[TETSUGENDO]

Somewhat reminiscent of the Japanese pattern referred to as KARAKUSA......it represents a spiraling vine.

 

-S-

[Ken-Hawaii]

Darius, I trust that you're not mistaking either a chiseled or etched pattern as a true hamon, right?

[___]

Darius, I trust that you're not mistaking either a chiseled or etched pattern as a true hamon, right?

  No, i don't believe so, and on an famous Korean generals' blade, the true hamon was not aligned with the chiseled pattern. Some Vietnamese swords had real hamon, but mostly from smiths that were Japanese immigrants, especially some time during and or after Kato Kiyomasa's battles in South-East Asia and Korea. If what you asked was meant to be in application to Japanese blades specifically, I've never seen these engravings on them before that i still can recall or produce an example of, and am wanting to know if anyone else has.

[___]

On Korean blades, these engravings did not continue the whole length either, just in segments, so the hamon (Namui, i beleive in Korean) was easily discernible. Blades from these countries as far as I can tell often were through-heat-treated (No real Hamon).

[___]

The blade in the picture, I forgot to mention, is a Vietnamese one, looking naturally like vines, or flowers, due to French influence and is similar to that on French sabres. On a Korean blade, these 'hamon-like-engraving' segments end and start at times in spirals, but not consistently.

[___]

Modern Example:
 

[___]

 

The original probably has/had red lacquer in it's engravings an fuller. This is a replica

[Brian]

Those images have some sort of external linking protection. Rather upload directly.

[___]

ok

[___]

I am able to see them on my end, but tell me if the photos work this time:

 

 

[___]

It might not show up, so i'll see if i can find an image of the original sword

[___]

[___]

     

This one is another replica of 'Yi Chungmugong's' sword. the image might have some sort of protection on it, but it's a challenge to find photos of swords like these, so i might not be able to come across many more.

[ROKUJURO]

Interesting, but not NIHONTO. Should perhaps be moved to IZAKAYA?