The groove in the Japanese sword

[Aldebaran]

The term hi designate a groove etched along the blade shinogiji. Its function is to slightly reduce their weight, also because of its H-shape, it absorbs the force that is downloaded on it so that the sword does not bend easily. There are several types of hi.

Futasujibi 二 筋 樋: two thin parallel incised hi.
Soebi 添え 樋: hi incised laterally to the thin or the Bohi Koshiba.
Tsurebi 連れ 樋: a type of soebi. Slim hi-engraved side of Bohi, running up to 'tip' s last.
Bohi 棒 樋: thick groove, like a stick, which runs along the blade.
Uchibi 打ち 樋: slot similar to Bohi, which extends up to but shinogi.
Naginatabi 薙刀 樋: a particular form of that found on naginata Koshiba, more often than the traditional.
Takekurabe 丈比べ two parallel incised Koshiba, the closest to shinogi is longer. Their shape resembles two sections of bamboo.
Gomabashi 护 摩 箸 two parallel incised Koshiba of the same length. The shape is reminiscent of the sticks with which, in Buddhism, it ignites the sacred fire.
Koshiba 腰 樋: hi rather short in the affected area of Koshi's sword.
Katanahi 刀 樋: hi often affected to a certain point of the blade (do not get to katanasaki) whose shape resembles a katana. This incision is made in a blade hirazukuri. And 'Bohi also found in a lot or a kowakizashi or wakizashi.
Kuchigaibi 食い違い 樋: literally "wake discrepancy. Two engraved hi to another separated by reversed Hi running along their entire length passing between the small space left by the former.
Kusa no Naginatabi 草 の 薙刀 樋: hi naginatabi similar to the two thin branches which resemble the shape of the blades of 'grass.
Shōbuhi 菖蒲 樋: two thin hi which meet almost at the tip to form a leaf of Iris.
Ukiken 浮き 剣, literally "floating sword." Hi etched to leave a ken to 'inside of a katanabi.
Ukibōhi 浮き 棒 樋: literally "stick waving." Hi etched to leave a Bohi at 'internal a katanabi.
Hisakisagarubi 樋 先 下がる: high end of that stops under the koshinogi.
Hisakiagarubi 樋 先 上がる: hi etched until the end koshinogi.
Hisako Kata Nagareru 樋 先 肩 流れる: hi etched until the end koshinogi whose shape resembles a roof to a single aquifer.
Hisako Kata Okoru 樋 先 肩 怒る: similar to Hisako Kata Nagareru, but with a very small inclination.
Kakitooshi 掻き 通し: hi its bottom is engraved until nakagojiri.
Kakinagashi 掻き 流し: hi its bottom is etched until the habakimoto (zone of Mach).
Marudome 丸 止め: lower end of the high with a rounded shape.
Kakudome 角 止め: lower end of the hi with a square shape.
Kuchigaibi 食い違い 樋: construction technique similar to that analyzed earlier. In this case we have a Koshiba recorded at 'internal a katanabi, always with a "groove discrepancy" between them.
Chiri 散り: this is defined and smooth floor space that lies between the high and the common or between shinogisuji and hi. If it is present only close to a common katachiri 片 散り is defined, if it is present on both sides of the hi then takes the name of ryōchiri 両 散り.


Sources: www.wazamon.jp and Nihonto Jiten