Shuko

Shuko was originally released in 2004 as part of the Betrayers of Kamigawa expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Set within the Japanese-inspired plane of Kamigawa, the card reflects the aesthetic shift toward ancient folklore and weaponry that defined the set's artifacts. Its inclusion in 'The List'—a rotating series of reprints curated by Wizards of the Coast—serves to reintroduce classic or thematic cards into modern booster packs, allowing players to encounter historical designs within contemporary play environments.

The card's illustration was created by the renowned fantasy artist Greg Hildebrandt, who is celebrated for his extensive work on The Lord of the Rings calendars and his long-standing collaboration with his brother, Tim Hildebrandt. In his depiction of the Shuko, a traditional Japanese claw weapon, Hildebrandt focused on functional, gritty realism rather than high fantasy abstraction. His design choices were intended to ground the artifact in a historical context, emphasizing the lethality and tactical nature of the tool, a vision that resonated well with players who appreciated the expansion's lean toward authentic-looking period equipment.