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Hamon (swordsmithing)
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In swordsmithing, hamon (刃文) is a visible effect created on the blade by the hardening process. The hamon is the outline of the hardened zone which contains the cutting edge. Blades made in this manner are known as differentially hardened, with a harder cutting edge than spine. This difference in hardness results from clay being applied on the blade prior to the cooling process (quenching). Less or no clay allows the edge to cool faster, making it harder but more brittle, while more clay allows the center and spine to cool slower, thus retaining its resilience.
Example of a hamon. It is not the entire white hadori area, but a fuzzy line within the hadori. It is difficult to photograph, and to appreciate hamon
Example of a hamon. It is not the entire white hadori area, but a fuzzy line within the hadori. It is difficult to photograph, and to appreciate hamon, the viewer must hold the sword in his hand and change the angle of the light on the blade as he views it.
Difference between Oshigata (left), an exact copy of hamon, and the photograph (right).
Difference between Oshigata (left), an exact copy of hamon, and the photograph (right).
Katana, showing the hamon as the outline of the yakiba. The nioi appears faintly as the bright line following the hamon; especially visible at the tip
Katana, showing the hamon as the outline of the yakiba. The nioi appears faintly as the bright line following the hamon; especially visible at the tip (kissaki).
The formation of a hamon during quenching first produces a downward bend as the edge cools fast, followed by an upward bend as the rest of the blade c
The formation of a hamon during quenching first produces a downward bend as the edge cools fast, followed by an upward bend as the rest of the blade cools.
Japanese swordsmithing
Videos
Japanese swordsmithing is the labour-intensive bladesmithing process developed in Japan beginning in the sixth century for forging traditionally made bladed weapons (nihonto) including katana, wakizashi, tantō, yari, naginata, nagamaki, tachi, nodachi, ōdachi, kodachi, and ya (arrow).
Tamahagane
Tamahagane
The different steps
The different steps
Forge scenes, print from a book from the Edo period (1603–1867), Museum of Ethnography of Neuchâtel
Forge scenes, print from a book from the Edo period (1603–1867), Museum of Ethnography of Neuchâtel
Blacksmith scene, print from an Edo period book, Museum of Ethnography of Neuchâtel
Blacksmith scene, print from an Edo period book, Museum of Ethnography of Neuchâtel