Katana, Japanese Swords

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HAMON

The hamon is like a craftsman's signature! Based on the hamon, one can gain knowledge on the style and age of a sword, its quenching process, and possible symbolism relating to its user and Toshyo! Hamon are often said to resemble natural phenomena such as clouds, the ocean and flight paths of birds.

Through the ages, different eras in Japan have revealed countless hamon patterns. Despite general themes throughout each style, individual requirements and desires were also included.

The hamon of a japanese sword is one of the most beautiful and structural elements of a Japanese. katana. It is where soft (troostite) and hard (martensite) materials blend! This merging of hard and soft materials is crucial for the sword's durability. In the case of an abrupt join between the two, the likelihood of cracking is greater! When one looks closely at a hamon, Nie (hard) and Nioi (soft) grains may be seen. In addition, to durability, the abundance of the two types of grain in different areas of the hamon, will in turn effect the blade's resistance against friction.

In creating the blade's hamon, sword smiths apply a mud, known as Yakiba-tsuchi. The Yakiba-tsuchi is placed along the ji and shinogi. The way in which a craftsman applies this mud, will determine the final outcome of the hamon pattern. During quenching, the mud prevents the hot blade from vaporizing water, thus enabling contact between the cold water and the blade. Through capillary action, the cold water is cycled across the metal, thus enabling the Nioi crystals to form. As a result, Nie crystals form in all areas, not covered with mud.

Two basic categories of hamon are, sugu-ha and midare-ba. Suguha resembles a straight flowing line, whereas, midare-ba, includes bumps, or dabls. Of course there are numerous variations and combinations of these two common hamon patterns. Depending on the era an area in Japan, sugu-ha and midare-ba are sometimes mixed. Variations such as Yakiotoshi, Osaka Yakidashi, Koshi-b and Kyou Yakidashi are such patterns. Yakitoshi in particular, not only is impressive as a pattern, yet is also a crucial for resistance to bending, near the hamachi.

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