Finishes
Damascus or "Modern Damascus" finish refers to the watery or wavy light and dark pattern of the metal. Suminagashi (墨流し) which literally translates to "floating ink" is another word used for the finish.
Kasumi (霞) means "mist" and refers to the hazy appearance of the soft steel/iron cladding, in contrast to the fine polished cutting edge.
Kurouchi (黒打ち) refers to the darkened steel surface as a result from the forging process which forms a coating of oxide. It is the most rusting finish of all but gives knives a traditional character.
Migaki (磨き) means polished but not necessarily as finely polished like a mirror finish. The finish gives knives a minimalist and elegant look though the degree of polishing varies from one blacksmith to the next.
Mirror finish refers to a blade that has been polished to such a high degree that it reflects light, similar to a mirror. This type of finish not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the knife but also provides practical benefits. It reduces drag when cutting and prevents food from sticking to the blade. The mirror finish is achieved through a meticulous process of grinding and polishing, resulting in a blade with a smooth, shiny, and reflective surface.
Nashiji (梨子地) literally translates to pear-fruit-skin as the finish imitates the skin of an Asian pear. This finish is created by polishing away the dark oxides while retaining the rough texture. Some may say Nashiji is in the middle between Kurouchi and Migaki.
Tsuchime (槌目) refers to a hammered finish. This could be a result from the forging process or be added/hand-hammered by the blacksmith to create an indented and unique finish.