hirazukuri

Hirazukuri is a Japanese term that translates roughly to “flat construction” or “flat forging.” It is most commonly encountered in discussions of traditional Japanese blade making, where it denotes a basic method of shaping a blade from a single billet of steel to produce a relatively straightforward blade geometry. The term is used to distinguish this approach from other blade-making methods that emphasize more complex cross-sections, layered constructions, or more elaborate shaping techniques.

In its traditional usage, hirazukuri refers to a blade form with a comparatively simple profile that is forged and finished to achieve a balanced, functional sword or tool blade. The process emphasizes producing a geometry that can be sharpened and tempered with consistent results, though the exact heat treatment and finishing steps varied among different regions, smiths, and historical periods. The emphasis on a flat or evenly contoured surface is what gives hirazukuri its label, contrasting with more specialized or ornate making styles found in other blade families.

Etymology and usage: the name derives from the Japanese words hira (flat) and zukuri (making or construction). In historical catalogs and some craft histories, the term may be used variably or interchangeably with related descriptions, which can lead to differing interpretations of its precise meaning across sources.

Limitations: information about hirazukuri can be sparse or inconsistent, and some sources differ on the exact characteristics that define the technique. As such, discussions of hirazukuri are often contextual, tied to particular regions, periods, or smiths rather than presented as a single, standardized method.

See also: Japanese sword terminology, nihon-to, shinogi-zukuri, koto blade terminology.