Shakudo
Alloys · Rare · Medieval
A Japanese alloy of copper and a small amount of gold, typically 4% to 10%, that develops a stunning deep blue-black patina when treated with a traditional solution called niiro. The resulting color is unlike any other metal surface.
Identity
- Source
- Japanese metalworking tradition
- Aliases
- Japanese black gold, Copper-gold alloy
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Deep blue-black to violet-black patina over a copper-gold base, achieved through traditional chemical treatment
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 9 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1000 °C
- Boiling point
- 1900 °C
- Lighter
- Copper
- Denser
- Ferrum Caeleste
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- High
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Softer
- Zinc
- Harder
- Bronze
- Workability
- Moderate
- Brittleness
- Tough
- Malleability
- High
- Ductility
- High
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- high
- Reactivity
- low
Lore & Narrative
Shakudo was used for the fittings of Japanese swords: tsuba (handguards), menuki (grip ornaments) and kozuka (utility knife handles). The black and gold contrast created by combining shakudo with gold inlay is one of the highest expressions of Japanese metalwork.
- Notable uses
- Sword fittings, decorative metalwork, jewelry, ceremonial objects
- Forge uses
- sword fittings, decorative metalwork, jewelry
- Worldbuilding traits
- japanese, black-gold, patinated, artistic
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