Mokume-gane
Alloys · Rare · Medieval
Not a single alloy but a metalworking technique. Layers of different metals are bonded, twisted, carved, and worked to reveal flowing wood-grain patterns unique to each piece. No two items of mokume-gane are ever the same.
Identity
- Source
- Japanese metalworking tradition
- Aliases
- Wood-grain metal, Burl metal
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Multi-layered surface showing swirling wood-grain patterns of alternating metals: gold, silver, copper, shakudo in natural or patinated colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 9.5 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 900 °C
- Boiling point
- 1800 °C
- Lighter
- Vibranium
- Denser
- Bismuth
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- High
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Softer
- Zinc
- Harder
- Bronze
- Workability
- Difficult
- Brittleness
- Tough
- Malleability
- High
- Ductility
- High
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- high
- Reactivity
- low
Lore & Narrative
Developed by the Japanese swordsmith Denbei Shoami around 1700, mokume-gane was originally used for sword fittings. The name means 'wood-grain metal', since the patterns mimic the natural grain visible in cut wood. Each piece requires weeks of skilled handwork.
- Notable uses
- Jewelry, sword fittings, decorative objects, fine art metalwork
- Forge uses
- jewelry, sword fittings, decorative art
- Worldbuilding traits
- japanese, patterned, unique, artistic
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