The other day, I visited the factory to observe the processing of the Yakisugi items I ordered!
Working in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius must have been tough even for the craftsmen.
Today, I would like to introduce this traditional Japanese technique!
【Yakisugi】
Yakisugi involves charring the surface of cedar boards. This processing method, used in western Japan, imparts high insect and decay resistance due to the carbonization effect.
It is widely used for exterior walls of houses on the islands and coastal areas of the Seto Inland Sea. This helps prevent the deterioration of the wood on the exterior walls caused by the sea breeze.
There are two types of processing methods:
one where the wood is simply charred, and another where the ash is removed after charring. For our furniture, we remove the ash using a brush made of animal hair, creating a textured finish similar to Uzukuri*.
While the presence of ash is not an issue for exterior walls, it is removed for furniture intended for indoor use.
Since the wood we use is intended for furniture, we do not use the method of charring it in triangular shapes or passing it through a machine. Instead, our craftsmen use hand-held burners to perform the charring process manually.
This approach allows us to accommodate differences in the way the wood chars, which can vary depending on the origin and drying time of the cedar, and helps to reduce warping of the boards.
*Uzukuri is a traditional Japanese wood finishing technique that accentuates the natural grain of the wood. By indenting the softer parts of the wood, the annual rings are finished with a textured, uneven surface. This method, suitable for soft wood, makes the grain appear as if it is standing out.
For the final surface finish, we use either a wax finish or a urethane finish. This ensures that there is no concern about soot, even when the furniture is used indoors.
Urethane coating finish
In addition to Yakisugi, we also offer products made from charred paulownia wood.
＜＜COMING SOON＞＞
This time, we created a 7-feet coffee table using yakisugi. We also accept orders for other products, so please feel free to consult with us
--------- July 24, 2024 Postscript ---------
Add a photo of the finished product.
