Honyaki has its roots in Japanese swordsmithing, specifically in the practice of differential hardening, which dates back as far as the Heian period (794–1185).

Techniques like yaki-ire (clay-tempering) and the creation of a hardened edge supported by a softer spine were refined over centuries and became especially prominent during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), when the hamon — the visible temper line — emerged as both a functional and aesthetic hallmark of quality swords.

These principles form the foundation of what we now recognize in honyaki-style forging.