Mokume Gane

Mokume gane (moku "wood" me "eye" gane "metal") was invented in Japan by Denbei Shoami, a 17th century master metalsmith, who used it for the adornment of samurai swords. The patterns he created with copper alloys complemented the patterns that the swordsmith forms in the steel of the swords. This metal working method has been adapted to polymer clays. Thin layers of polymer clay are stacked, often with layers of metallic leaf, then carved with a thin sharp blade to get the characteristic eye pattern of the original mokume gane.