緑青
rokushō[ɾo̞kɯ̟ɕo̞ː]
The Japanese word for patina is 緑青 (rokushō).
While 緑青 can refer to the general concept of a patina, it is most specifically used to describe the green oxidation layer that forms on copper, bronze or brass over time.
Meaning: colour or incrustation which age and wear give to objects (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
rokushō
Did you know?
- The concept of 緑青 is a physical manifestation of 'wabi-sabi', a worldview that celebrates the beauty of things that are imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.
- In Japanese, the word 青 (ao) can refer to both 'blue' and 'green', which is why 緑青 describes a pigment that sits between the two colors.
- To give new bronze sculptures an immediate appearance of ancient dignity, some Japanese artisans use chemicals to artificially induce 緑青.
Examples in context
- 銅の表面に緑青が出ています。dou no hyoumen ni rokushou ga dete imasu.A patina is forming on the surface of the copper.
- 古い像の緑青が美しいですね。furui zou no rokushou ga utsukushii desu ne.The patina on the old statue is beautiful, isn't it?
- 緑青が独特の風合いを出しています。rokushou ga dokutoku no fuai o dashite imasu.The patina gives it a unique texture.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are visiting an outdoor art museum.
- 蓮 Renこの彫刻、緑青が綺麗だね。kono choukoku, rokushou ga kirei da ne.The patina on this sculpture is beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui本当。時間が経った感じがするね。hontou. jikan ga tatta kanji ga suru ne.True. It really feels like time has passed.
- 蓮 Ren結衣の言う通り、趣があるよ。yui no iu toori, omomuki ga aru yo.Just as you say, Yui, it has a lot of character.
- 結衣 Yui芸術的な美しさがあるね。geijutsuteki na utsukushisa ga aru ne.It has an artistic beauty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “patina” translations and entries 緑青, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
