Mune: The Back of the Japanese Sword

The mune of a Japanese sword is the back line of the blade, that is, the part opposite the cutting edge. It is generally flat, but can have different forms, such as the iori-mune, the mitsu-mune or the maru-mune.

The shape of the mune can influence the characteristics of the blade, such as its strength and flexibility. It is regarded as an important element of the aesthetics of a Japanese sword and is often used to identify different periods and styles of manufacture.

1. The iori-mune is a rare type of mune characterised by a concave back line. It is often associated with high-quality katanas made by the most experienced smiths.
2. The mitsu-mune is a type of mune characterised by a double hollow just before the tip. It is often associated with katanas of earlier periods.
3. The maru-mune is a type of mune characterised by a perfectly straight, flat back line. It is often associated with katanas of more recent periods.

The shinogi must also be taken into consideration.

The shinogi is the dividing line between the flat part of the blade of a Japanese sword (called the hira) and the sloping part (called the ji). It is generally located about a third of the way along the blade from the base. It is regarded as an important element in the construction of a Japanese sword because it affects the flexibility and strength of the blade. The shape and height of the shinogi can vary according to the period and style of manufacture.