When appreciating Japanese swords, the body of blade is especially paid attention to in most cases, and the appearance of the blade created when forging the sword is regarded as an object of art and named Hamon, Nie or Hada which is a pattern on the blade.
日本刀を鑑賞するときには、特にこの刀身に注目することが多く、刀を打つときにできた刃の様子を、刃紋、沸（にえ）、肌などと呼んで鑑賞の対象とする。