noun
shakudo; gold-copper alloy with blue-black patina
A traditional Japanese alloy of copper and a small amount of gold, often treated to develop a rich blue-black or purple-black patina. Used in sword fittings, jewelry, and decorative metalwork.
この刀の鍔は赤銅で作られている。
The tsuba of this sword is made of shakudo.
赤銅の独特な青黒い色は、煮色仕上げによって生まれる。
The distinctive blue-black color of shakudo is produced through a patination process called niiro finish.