wood for shira saya

[Strider]

I know that honoki is the prefered wood for saya, but I was wondering if any other species has ever been used? I have a wakazashi in shira saya that looks a whole lot like western red cedar, the same specied found in decking and outdoor furniture. Do shira saya darken that much with age or is this some other species? Scott

[Stephen]

a lot of magnolia wood is used in the states, heard of some others but not good reports.