Before revision: It is also the term used to refer to the technique used to create these blades.Carter, Murray "Bladesmithing with Murray Carter: Modern Application of Traditional Techniques" Krause Publications, 22 September 2011 Origin and use of the term "San mai" roughly translates as three flat things, in Japanese (San=three Mai=unit counter for flat objects).
After revision: It is also the term used to refer to the technique used to create these blades.Carter, Murray "Bladesmithing with Murray Carter: Modern Application of Traditional Techniques" Krause Publications, 22 September 2011 Origin ,, and history use of the term "San mai" roughly translates as three flat things, in Japanese (San=three Mai=unit counter for flat objects).