{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.mokume-gane","code":"thing-q976158","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q976158/","name":"Mokume-gane","alternateNames":[],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"Mokume-gane is a decorative metal laminate made by bonding layers of contrasting metals or alloys and selectively deforming or removing material to reveal patterns resembling wood grain, a term that also denotes the Japanese metalworking technique used to produce it.","purpose":"Enable an agent to identify mokume-gane, assess its layered material and condition, and judge which forming, finishing or conservation actions are supported by evidence.","scope":{"in":["Constituent metals and alloys, layer sequence and bonded interfaces","Billets, patterned stock and identifiable mokume-gane regions of finished objects","Relationship between exposed layers, pattern geometry and surface finish","Fabrication history needed to assess further working or repair","Interface defects, surface deterioration and remaining workable material","Evidence supporting identification and attribution"],"out":["Metalsmithing as an occupation or craft discipline","Complete jewellery, vessels or sword fittings beyond their mokume-gane material","General properties of constituent metals independent of the laminate","Kilns, presses and rolling mills as equipment","Pattern-welded steel as its own material tradition","Polymer-clay and printed imitations of mokume-gane appearance"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Seek evidence of bonded, compositionally distinct metal layers rather than accepting a wood-grain appearance alone. Layered construction is documented in [Manufacturing Mokume Gane Jewelry](https://www.ganoksin.com/article/manufacturing-mokume-gane-jewelry/).","Check whether visible motifs follow exposed or deformed layers rather than only engraving, paint or plating.","Distinguish a laminate retaining identifiable layers from a homogeneous alloy with surface colour variation.","Use composition and fabrication evidence to distinguish mokume-gane from pattern-welded steel; record ambiguous hybrid materials for review.","Distinguish an unpatterned precursor billet from a finished patterned surface without excluding the billet solely because its layers remain parallel."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"laminate-identity","name":"Laminate identity","description":"Establish what physical material is being called mokume-gane and where that identification applies.","layers":[{"id":"material-recognition","name":"Material recognition","description":"Assess evidence for a bonded metal laminate underlying the pattern.","findings":[{"id":"layered-metal-evidence","name":"Layered metal evidence","description":"Record observations supporting distinct metal layers and their connection to the visible surface.","questions":[{"text":"What edge, section, analytical result or fabrication record demonstrates distinct bonded metal layers?","id":"layered-metal-evidence-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What evidence excludes a printed, plated, engraved or polymer imitation?","id":"layered-metal-evidence-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"specimen-boundary","name":"Specimen boundary","description":"Separate the laminate from its host object and identify its stage of development.","findings":[{"id":"mokume-region-and-stage","name":"Mokume region and stage","description":"Locate the actual laminate and distinguish precursor stock from finished material.","questions":[{"text":"Which regions are mokume-gane, and which are separately attached liners, borders, substrates or fittings?","id":"mokume-region-and-stage-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"Is this an unpatterned billet, worked stock or finished component, and what evidence establishes that stage?","id":"mokume-region-and-stage-q02","kind":"definition"}]}]}]},{"id":"layer-stack-and-bonds","name":"Layer stack and bonds","description":"Describe the constituent sequence and evidence for how its interfaces were formed.","layers":[{"id":"constituent-architecture","name":"Constituent architecture","description":"Record alloy identities, layer order and local dimensions.","findings":[{"id":"documented-layer-stack","name":"Documented layer stack","description":"Keep measured composition and section observations distinct from the maker's original stack specification.","questions":[{"text":"Which metals or alloys occupy each layer, and are those identities documented, measured or inferred from colour?","id":"documented-layer-stack-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What layer count, sequence and thicknesses can be established, and where was each observation made?","id":"documented-layer-stack-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"interface-formation","name":"Interface formation","description":"Capture the interlayer bonding route separately from later assembly joints.","findings":[{"id":"bonding-route-evidence","name":"Bonding route evidence","description":"Record the actual route rather than assuming all examples are solder-free; multiple routes are described in [Manufacturing Mokume Gane Jewelry](https://www.ganoksin.com/article/manufacturing-mokume-gane-jewelry/).","questions":[{"text":"What record or examination identifies the interlayer bonding method and any filler metal?","id":"bonding-route-evidence-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which observed solder lines belong to the laminate interfaces, and which belong to later component assembly?","id":"bonding-route-evidence-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"pattern-and-working-history","name":"Pattern and working history","description":"Connect the current surface pattern to layer manipulation and subsequent treatments.","layers":[{"id":"pattern-development","name":"Pattern development","description":"Relate exposed motifs to the physical arrangement of layers.","findings":[{"id":"pattern-to-layer-correspondence","name":"Pattern-to-layer correspondence","description":"Record how deformation and selective removal exposed the layered structure. Pattern-development methods are described in [Steven Jacob's Patterning](https://www.mokume.com/mokume-gane-a-comprehensive-study/patterning-mokume-gane).","questions":[{"text":"Which documented operations produced the present pattern, and which operations are only inferred from appearance?","id":"pattern-to-layer-correspondence-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"How do motif spacing, direction and continuity change across the face, edges and any assembly seam?","id":"pattern-to-layer-correspondence-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"finish-and-remaining-section","name":"Finish and remaining section","description":"Distinguish structural pattern geometry from surface colour, relief and finish.","findings":[{"id":"surface-dependent-appearance","name":"Surface-dependent appearance","description":"Document the contribution of finish and the material available for future intervention.","questions":[{"text":"Which aspects of the visible contrast come from constituent alloys, and which depend on patina, etching or coating?","id":"surface-dependent-appearance-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What local thickness and relief measurements constrain polishing or resurfacing without unacceptable pattern change?","id":"surface-dependent-appearance-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]}]},{"id":"condition-and-intervention","name":"Condition and intervention","description":"Assess deterioration and establish evidence-based limits for additional work on the laminate.","layers":[{"id":"laminate-condition","name":"Laminate condition","description":"Locate interface discontinuities and changes affecting individual constituent layers.","findings":[{"id":"defect-and-change-map","name":"Defect and change map","description":"Separate suspected defects from intentional pattern relief and documented surface treatments.","questions":[{"text":"Where are cracks, lifting layers, voids or preferential material loss observed, and how were they examined?","id":"defect-and-change-map-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What baseline images or treatment records distinguish new deterioration from intentional etching or original fabrication features?","id":"defect-and-change-map-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"working-and-care-limits","name":"Working and care limits","description":"Evaluate proposed operations against the particular stack, interfaces, finish and host assembly.","findings":[{"id":"supported-intervention-envelope","name":"Supported intervention envelope","description":"Require specimen-specific justification for heat, deformation, joining, cleaning or refinishing.","questions":[{"text":"What maker guidance, matching offcut trial or material evidence supports the proposed operation on this particular laminate?","id":"supported-intervention-envelope-q01","kind":"action"},{"text":"What changes to layer continuity, remaining thickness, surface contrast or adjoining components would make the intervention unacceptable?","id":"supported-intervention-envelope-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"Which unresolved composition or interface questions require specialist assessment before work proceeds?","id":"supported-intervention-envelope-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-confidence-notes","name":"Check these first","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these check these first hold for the sense of Mokume-gane this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-confidence-notes-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of Mokume-gane this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of Mokume-gane this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of Mokume-gane this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of Mokume-gane this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of Mokume-gane this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Describe mokume-gane, its Japanese origins and its use in sword fittings and jewellery.","Help a maker plan pieces and report the metals in a finished item."],"mustNot":["Sell a piece as gold, silver or another metal it does not contain in the stated purity.","Present etched or printed imitations as true laminated mokume-gane.","Advise bonding or forging metals without heat, fume and burn protection."],"requiresHuman":["Hallmarking or certifying precious metal content."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Buyers rely on honest metal content and technique claims.","The craft has Japanese roots that deserve accurate credit."],"affectedParties":["Buyers","Craftspeople","Wearers with metal allergies"]},"owners":{"steward":"The maker or owner of a piece; assay offices verify precious metal content where hallmarking applies.","roles":[],"masterSystems":[]},"relations":[{"target":"Q2234132","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.mokume-gane","Wikidata: Q976158 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q976158)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Layer constituents: Metal or alloy identity and composition per layer; unknown permitted","Layer sequence: Ordered adjacency of identified layers, with original and observed sequences distinguished","Layer count: Integer layers, specifying original stack or local observed section","Local laminate thickness: mm, with location and measurement method","Interlayer bonding route: Solid-state diffusion; liquid-phase or fusion; solder-assisted; other documented route; unknown","Material stage: Bonded billet; reduced stock; patterned stock; incorporated component; unknown","Pattern geometry: Observed motif, orientation and continuity; maker terminology recorded separately","Interface condition: No separation observed; suspected separation; confirmed separation; unexamined","Surface treatment: Polished; matte; etched; patinated; coated; combined; unknown","Fabrication lineage: Links to maker records, parent billet, offcuts, process records and host object"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Metal with swirling or wood-grain-like patterns in two or more contrasting colours.","Seen in rings, sword guards and small fittings."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Classify a specimen as supported mokume-gane, precursor material, imitation or unresolved candidate","Map exposed pattern regions to documented constituent layers","Compare specimens or components with their claimed parent billet","Assess whether proposed cutting, forming or joining has sufficient material-specific support","Identify interface and surface changes requiring specialist examination","Plan documented refinishing or conservation while tracking changes to pattern and thickness"]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Poor bonding causes layers to split.","Some alloys, such as those with nickel, cause skin allergies."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["ISO 9202, issued by the International Organization for Standardization, specifies fineness values for precious metal alloys and is relevant when mokume-gane incorporates such alloys in jewelry."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Mokume-gane is encountered in jewelry, decorative vessels, fittings and metalwork collections where contrasting metal layers create visible grain patterns.","Its material composition and bonding condition inform fabrication, repair and conservation decisions."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q976158: Mokume-gane","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q976158","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Mokume-gane","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokume-gane","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Which authoritative usage should determine the boundaries for solder-laminated examples, ferrous hybrids and other nontraditional materials called mokume-gane?","Does the registry intend the physical laminate, the metalworking technique or both, and does an existing world model already own either concept?","Which examination methods can substantiate internal bond integrity in finished pieces without unacceptable alteration?","What alloy-pair-specific evidence establishes suitable thermal, deformation and chemical-treatment limits?","Which pattern terms have consistent definitions across workshops, and which should remain maker-specific descriptions?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q976158/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q976158/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-12T11:22:16Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:33+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}