The shobu-zukuri (pronounced "show-boo zoo-koo-ree") is an elegant design for a katana, somewhat reminescent to the standard shinogi-zukuri except for the fact that on the shinogi-zukuri there is a yokote line adjacent to the edge that defines the tip - the edge profile abruptly changes from straight to circular. The shobu-zukuri has no abrupt change forming the tip - instead, it is far more graceful, not dissimlar to a hira-zukuri style but with a ridge shinogi).

The usage of such a sword would be slightly different than a shinogi-zukuri blade, as the tip (kissaki) of a shinogi-zukuri blade is a cutting tip; the tip can be placed on the surface of the cutting medium and a cut performed by it alone. With the shobu-zukuri you are more likely to use the length of the blade for slicing.

ILLUSTRATION BY ADRIAN KO