Horimono
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.