3 types of dragon horimono

[Gerry]

Just happened to have 3 of my swords with dragon horimono out, so I thought I'd share a picture of the 3 different types of dragons, from top to bottom:

Jinikubori, Hitsunaibori, and Hinaibori. The bottom dragon was done by Mukansa carver Kokeguchi Senshu.

I'm missing a sukashibori one to finish the collection...

 

[Bruce Pennington]

What do you think that top one has in it forward front hand?

[Tensho]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

What do you think that top one has in it forward front hand?

Should be a pearl. And the bottom one is chasing a flaming pearl. In Japanese and East Asian art, the motif of a dragon chasing or clutching a flaming pearl (tama) symbolizes wisdom, spiritual energy, power, and the pursuit of truth.

[dimitri]

Splendid collection, it's magnificent! I particularly like the one in the middle. Congratulations and thank you for showing them to us.
How can we tell who engraved which horimono? Is there a signature, or is it the engraving style that's recognizable? I intend to find either a katana or a wakizashi with a horimono in the future. What mistakes should I avoid?
Some collectors have told me that certain horimono were engraved to hide a flaw on the blade. Is this true? Apparently, there are some blatant cases, from what I've heard.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Good candidate for this thread: 

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/49401-show-us-your-dragon-horimono/

[Gerry]

Ah, the horimono carver sometimes leave their name on the nakago with the swordsmith, and quit often it's the swordsmith carving the horimono too. For the bottom sword, Senshu actually left his name incrription on the ridge of the nakago.

[dimitri]

Thank you very for the link and answer.

😊