horishi

Horishi is a traditional Japanese craft term for a master who carves and engraves surfaces in metal or wood. In Japanese sword culture, the word most often refers to the engravers who decorate sword blades and fittings, though it can also describe woodcarvers in other crafts. The horishi’s work includes creating horimono—carved designs and inscriptions on the blade surface—as well as relief work on metal fittings such as tsuba (hand guards), fuchi, and kashira.

Techniques used by horishi typically involve chiseling, engraving, and sometimes inlay. Carved motifs range from heraldic symbols and religious imagery to names or poetic inscriptions. Inlay techniques, such as zogan or takazogan, may be employed to insert gold, silver, or other metals into grooves for decorative contrast. The horishi must balance aesthetics with the blade’s structural integrity and is often involved in collaboration with the swordsmith and other metalworkers in the koshirae (mounting) process.

Historically, horishi formed an integral part of the traditional sword-making lineage in Japan, with training commonly passed down through apprenticeships under established masters. While the demand for ceremonial or collector-grade works sustains the practice, modern horishi also contribute to restoration, replication, and the documentation and preservation of historical techniques. The role is highly specialized, requiring precision, knowledge of metallurgy, and a deep respect for traditional methods.

See also: horimono, tsuba, zogan.