Kuromido

Kuromidō (Japanese黒 味 铜, Kuromidō; often Kuromi -do written ) is a traditional Japanese metal alloy that is demonstrably used since the 12th century for the color design of ornaments on swords or jewelry. It has a dark brown to black color and is made of 99% copper and 1% of metallic arsenic. How many copper alloys was Kuromidō as a substitute for precious metals, by the lack of these and they caused high costs, both due to the low occurrence of precious metals on the Japanese islands.

The processing of Kuromidō must be because of their arsenic content under special safety precautions because it is toxic. In addition, the Gold-/Silberschmied in advance must consider the extent to which patinated metals are hypoallergenic.

Even today it is still used in the Mokume -Gane - forging technique, although quite rare. In Germany forgo the Mokume -Gane artists since 2005 entirely on the use of Kuromidō.

• Japanese Crafts
• Alloy