noun
wood grain; grain of wood
Refers to the natural pattern of fibers in wood. Commonly used in woodworking, furniture, and interior design contexts.
このテーブルは木目が美しい。
This table has a beautiful wood grain.
木目に沿って切ると割れにくい。
It is less likely to split if you cut along the grain.
Compound of 木 (tree, wood) and 目 (eye, pattern), literally 'wood pattern'. The variant 杢目 uses the kokuji 杢, which combines 木 and 工 (craft) to represent wood grain.