Yakisugi (Japanese: , lit.'burnt cedar '[1]) is a traditional, very old Japanese method of wood preservation.[2][3][1] It is referred to in the West as burnt timber cladding and is also available as shou sugi ban (焼杉板), a term which uses the same kanji characters, but an alternative pronunciation. The ban character means "plank".

Traditional houses in Naoshima, Kagawa clad with yakisugi panels
Close-up view of charred yakisugi board
Yakisugi treated wood used in a box for sunglasses

By slightly charring the surface of the wood without combusting the whole piece, the surface becomes water-resistant through the carbonization and at the same time its hygroscopy is decreased due to chemical cell-changing process during carbonization, which results in increased durability. [4][5] However, some studies showed that a mere charring of the surface does not improve durability or fire resistance. It also doesn't make the wood waterproof.[6] It additionally protects the wood against insects, fungi and mold, as well as making the wood a rather fire-resistant material.[7]

Western garden room with Yakisugi cladding

This old technique has several similarities with the modern, thermal wood modification[8] methods used in Europe and elsewhere.

Examples

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Contemporary architect Terunobu Fujimori works with yakisugi.[9][10] In addition, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma uses this charred wood material in his modern creations.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b MacDonald, Deanna (9 February 2016). Eco Living Japan: Sustainable Ideas for Living Green. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-1845-4.
  2. ^ Ebner, David Hans; Barbu, Marius-Catalin; Klaushofer, Josef; Čermák, Petr (2021). "Surface Modification of Spruce and Fir Sawn-Timber by Charring in the Traditional Japanese Method—Yakisugi". Polymers. 13 (10): 1662. doi:10.3390/polym13101662. PMC 8160771. PMID 34065260.
  3. ^ Fortini, Amanda (19 September 2017). "The Latest Design Trend: Black and Burned Wood". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Use This Incredible Technique to Waterproof Wood Furniture". Architectural Digest. 3 November 2017.
  5. ^ Mehta, Geeta; MacDonald, Deanna (9 July 2012). New Japan Architecture: Recent Works by the World's Leading Architects. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0850-9.
  6. ^ Hasburgh, Laura E.; Zelinka, Samuel L.; Bishell, Amy B.; Kirker, Grant T. (16 September 2021). "Durability and Fire Performance of Charred Wood Siding (Shou Sugi Ban)". Forests. 12 (9): 1262. doi:10.3390/f12091262.
  7. ^ Steele, James (16 March 2017). Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Tracing the Next Generation. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-37728-3.
  8. ^ "Springer Handbook of Wood Science and Technology (Chapter 16.8. Thermal Wood Modification)". Springer Handbooks. Cham: Springer International Publishing. 2023. pp. 899–906. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-81315-4. ISBN 978-3-030-81314-7. ISSN 2522-8692. S2CID 257902863.
  9. ^ "Yakisugi House by Terunobu Fujimori", Megan Wilton, Dezeen, 11 March 2009, Photograph: Edmund Sumner.
  10. ^ "Interiors: A Japanese charred-timber house inspired by a cave dwelling", Yuki Sumner, The Telegraph, 28 August 2009
  11. ^ Kuma, Kengo (2022-06-03). "Yakisugi Forest". Kuma Kengo and Associates. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
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