The Art of Katana Engraving: History, Techniques and Common types

What is Katana Engraving

When we admire a katana sword, we usually focus on the sharpness of the blade, the elegance of the hamon, the intricate fittings (koshirae), and the beauty of the saya. However, there's another element of the katana that’s just as remarkable: the engraving on the blade.

Katana engraving, known as tōshinbori (刀身彫) in Japanese, serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. For example, the bohi—commonly called the "blood groove"—reduces the blade’s weight. But many engravings are purely decorative, featuring designs like deities, sacred beasts, and other auspicious symbols. These engravings often reflect the owner's or creator’s wish for protection.

Crafting these engravings is a highly skilled task. According to Edo-period records, the cost of blade engraving could match or even exceed the price of sword-making itself, depending on the engraver’s expertise.

History of Katana Engraving

Katana engraving for aesthetic purposes dates back to the Heian period. One famous example is the Shichiseiken(Seven Stars Sword), a ceremonial blade belonging to Prince Umayado (also known as Prince Shōtoku), which features engravings of the Big Dipper constellation.

During the Kamakura to Sengoku periods, sword engravings became more elaborate, especially with the rise of Buddhism, which brought religious symbols into the designs.

By the Edo period, swords were increasingly regarded as art pieces rather than weapons, and engraving reached its artistic peak. Master engravers became well-known, and designs expanded to include auspicious symbols, floral patterns, and even poetry, both Chinese and Japanese.

Today, modern technology makes it easy to add custom engravings to your katana. Whether you’re looking for traditional motifs or personal designs, blade engraving is widely available and more accessible than ever for those interested in creating their own unique katana.

Katana Engraving Techniques

Though the basic process of engraving remains the same, the techniques used depend on the strength and design of the blade. Here are six common engraving methods:

• Inkoku (陰刻): This involves carving into the blade’s surface, creating recessed designs with lines and shading. It’s the most commonly used technique for blade engraving.
• Ukibori (浮彫): The opposite of Inkoku, this method keeps the design level with the blade's surface, giving it a flat appearance. It’s also called yokoku (陽刻).
• Jiniku-bori (地肉彫): In this technique, the area around the design is deeply carved, making the design stand out in relief. This method is applied directly to the flat surface of the blade.
• Sukashi-bori (透彫): Here, the design is made more prominent by carving through the background, creating a cut-out effect. Since this weakens the blade, it's typically used on shorter swords like wakizashi and tantō.
• Hitsunai-bori (櫃内彫): A rectangular or pagoda-shaped hitsu is carved into the blade, with the design engraved inside using nikubori or ukibori techniques.
• Hinai-bori (樋内彫): This technique involves carving a long groove (hi) into the blade, with additional designs engraved inside the groove.

Common Types of Katana Engravings

• Kurikara (倶利伽羅): A dragon wrapped around a sword, symbolizing protection. This design is inspired by esoteric Buddhism and often represents Fudō Myō-ō, a guardian deity.
• Fudō Myō-ō  (不動明王): Depicts Fudō Myō-ō surrounded by flames or standing by a waterfall, symbolizing the severing of worldly desires and the expulsion of evil.
• Vajra (金剛杵, Kongōsho): Ritual objects like the Trident Vajra, symbolizing the cutting through of worldly desires. Variations include the Trident Hilt Sword and Single Vajra.
• Gomabashi (護摩箸): Two thin grooves resembling ritual chopsticks, used in esoteric ceremonies to invoke the protection of Fudō Myō-ō.
• Sanskrit Characters (梵字, Bonji): Sacred symbols representing deities, often used to depict Fudō Myō-ō or other figures like Aizen Myō-ō and Marishi-ten.
• Jewel-Chasing Dragon (珠追龍, Tamaoi Ryū): A dragon chasing a jewel, inspired by ancient Chinese myths. Variations include dragons ascending to heaven (Shōryū) or descending to earth (Kōryū).
• Rendai (蓮台): Lotus flower carvings, often seen with other esoteric symbols like Sanskrit characters.
• Kuwagata / Claw (鍬形 / 爪): A design featuring claw-like tips, often paired with Buddhist symbols such as plain swords or Sanskrit.
• Hataboko (旗鉾): A flag wrapped around a cross-shaped sword tip, symbolizing Bishamonten, a protector deity revered by samurai for warding off evil.