Horimono
[Image:Wakizashi horimono.jpg|right|thumb|100px|Antique Japanese wakizashi sword blade showing the horimono, of a chrysanthemum]
Horimono, also known as chōkoku, are the engraved images in the blade of a nihonto Japanese sword, which may include katana or tantō blades. The artist is called a chōkokushi, or a horimonoshi.
There are a variety of designs, which include tsume "claws", kusa kurikara, Munenagabori, renge and rendai, fruit, dragons, and many others as auspicious motifs.
Tattooing
Horimono can also refer to the practice of traditional tattooing in Japanese culture; while irezumi usually refers to any tattooing, "horimono" is usually used to describe full-body tattoos done in the traditional style. In some cases, these tattoos can cover the whole body, including the arms and legs.This type of tattoo is traditionally done using a tebori - an instrument constructed of a bundle of needles affixed to a bamboo rod. Public knowledge on this style of tattooing is limited, and one must enter an apprenticeship under a master in order to learn.