Shakudo is the traditional Japanese art of producing a beautiful dark purple-black surface on copper alloys containing gold. The history and manufacture of the technique are described with details of the traditional processes including the choice of charcoal used for melting the alloys, the addition of selected impurities, the casting and working of the ingots and final surface treatment of the metal including hot solution treatment. The metallography is discussed with reference to the importance of the gold content of the alloy, the grain texture, working and homogeneity of the alloy, all of which affect the final surface coloration. Experimental reproduction of the techniques is described, and scientific examination of the surfaces so pro duced gives some of the answers to the nature of the black surface layer. -- AATA