An electrode is used for discharge surface treatment of a work piece. The electrode is made of a green compact obtained by compression-molding an electrode material including powder of any of a metal and a metallic compound, and the discharge surface treatment generating an electric discharge between the electrode and the work piece in an atmosphere of a machining medium and forming a film of a machining material on a surface of a work piece using energy produced by the electric discharge. The powder has an average particle diameter of not less than 10 nanometers and not more than 3 micrometers, and the electrode material of the electrode has substantially uniform composition and capable of forming a thick film with thickness not less than 100 micrometers.
