Horimono (, , literally carving, engraving), also known as chà Âkoku (, "sculpture"), are the engraved images in the blade of a nihonto () Japanese sword, which may include katana or tantà  blades. The artist is called a chà Âkokushi (), or a horimonoshi (, "engraver").
There are a variety of designs, which include tsume () "claws", kusa kurikara () (Arabesque style), Munenagabori (created in Munenaga), renge () (lotus blossom) and rendai () (lotus pedestal), fruit, dragons, and many others as auspicious motifs.
Horimono can also refer to the practice of traditional tattooing in Japanese culture; while irezumi usually refers to any tattooing (and often has negative connotations in Japan), "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 (æÂÂ彫ãÂÂ) - 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.