用語集
A–Z Reference of Japanese Arms & Armor Terminology
Glossary
Search and browse definitions for Japanese sword, fittings, armor, and historical terminology. Supports both macron and non-macron spellings.
24 terms
地景
Chikei
Dark lustrous lines in the ji
BladeBeginner Explanation
Dark, shiny lines visible within the blade surface.
丁子
Chōji
Clove-shaped hamon
TechniqueBeginner Explanation
A hamon pattern resembling clove buds, with rounded forms and narrow 'necks'.
丁子乱
Chōji-midare
Irregular clove-blossom hamon
BladeBeginner Explanation
An irregular temper pattern shaped like clove blossoms.
働き
Hataraki
Visual activity in the hamon or jihada
BladeBeginner Explanation
A collective term for visual activities in the hamon or blade surface.
姫鶴一文字
Himetsuru Ichimonji
Named Ichimonji sword; hamon style associated with it
BladeBeginner Explanation
A celebrated named sword of the Ichimonji tradition, known for its flamboyant chōji-based hamon.
姫鶴一文字
Himetsuru Ichimonji
Ichimonji-school (Bizen) hamon — complex undulating choji-midare
BladeBeginner Explanation
A hamon style of the Ichimonji school of Bizen — a complex, undulating, slightly irregular temper line of choji-based patterns.
一文字
Ichimonji school
Bizen swordsmith group
SchoolBeginner Explanation
An important group of Bizen swordsmiths.
地
Ji
Blade surface
BladeBeginner Explanation
The surface of the blade between the hamon and the shinogi.
地沸
Ji-nie
Fine nie particles in the ji
BladeBeginner Explanation
Fine particles of nie distributed through the ji.
地鉄
Jigane
Surface steel of the blade
MaterialBeginner Explanation
The visible steel on the surface of the blade, revealed by polishing.
地肌
Jihada
Forged-steel surface texture
BladeBeginner Explanation
The visible forged-steel texture of the blade surface.
陣笠
Jingasa
War hat
ArmorBeginner Explanation
A wide, often conical or flat war hat worn by foot soldiers.
地蔵
Jizō
Jizō-shaped bōshi
TechniqueBeginner Explanation
A bōshi (point pattern) whose rounded tip resembles the head of the bodhisattva Jizō.
金筋
Kinsuji
Golden streak in the hamon
TechniqueBeginner Explanation
A bright, golden-looking line running within or across the hamon.
鐺
Kojiri
Scabbard end fitting
FittingBeginner Explanation
The protective fitting at the end of the saya.
国広
Kunihiro
Kunihiro-style hamon — rolling mountain-like choji-midare
BladeBeginner Explanation
A hamon style associated with Horikawa Kunihiro (堀川国広) — a distinct, rolling, mountain-like wave (choji-midare) temper pattern.
崩し字
Kuzushiji
Historical cursive characters
DocumentBeginner Explanation
Historical cursive and abbreviated Japanese characters.
茎尻
Nakago-jiri
Terminal shape of the tang
BladeBeginner Explanation
The terminal shape of the nakago.
南泉一文字
Nansen Ichimonji
Named Ichimonji sword of the Bizen tradition
BladeBeginner Explanation
A celebrated named sword of the Bizen Ichimonji tradition with a dynamic chōji hamon.
日光一文字
Nikko Ichimonji
Named Ichimonji sword; Bizen chōji tradition
BladeBeginner Explanation
A celebrated named sword of the Bizen Ichimonji tradition, renowned for its spectacular chōji hamon.
鎬地
Shinogi-ji
Surface between shinogi and mune
BladeBeginner Explanation
The flat area of the blade between the shinogi ridge and the spine.
筋兜
Suji-kabuto
Ridged helmet
ArmorBeginner Explanation
A helmet whose plates meet at raised ridges, with rivets hidden on the inside.
映り
Utsuri
Reflection / mirroring in the ji
TechniqueBeginner Explanation
A faint, misty reflection of the hamon visible in the ji (blade surface).
湯走り
Yubashiri
Isolated nie patches in the ji
BladeBeginner Explanation
Isolated patches of nie in the ji, separate from the hamon.