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Yakisugi

Traditional houses in Naoshima, Kagawa clad with yakisugi panels

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

Process and properties

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By partially charring the surface of the wood without combusting the entire piece, the surface becomes water-resistant through carbonization, and its hygroscopy is reduced due to chemical cellular changes during the carbonization process, which results in increased durability.[4][5] It additionally protects the wood against insects, fungi and mold, as well as making the wood more fire-resistant.[6] This traditional technique has several similarities with the modern thermal wood modification[7] methods used in Europe and elsewhere.

However, some studies have shown that surface charring alone does not improve its durability or its resistance to fire or water.[8]

Contemporary applications

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Contemporary architect Terunobu Fujimori employs yakisugi in his designs.[9][10] Japanese architect Kengo Kuma also incorporates this charred wood material in his architectural works.[11]

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In detail

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  • Deeply charred sugi wood surface showing carbonized grain and texture from yakisugi treatment
    Surface detail showing charred texture
  • Close-up of a weathered yakisugi façade showing charred wood texture and grain contrast
    Close-up of yakisugi surface pattern
  • Charred yakisugi wood cladding on an older building façade in Kyoto, with vertical grain orientation
    Yakisugi texture detail from Kyoto
  • Burned sugi board from a Setouchi house, showing deep-black yakisugi surface and visible wood grain
    Charred wood surface showing carbonization

In use

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  • Small wooden box with yakisugi treatment showing deep black charred surface used for sunglasses storage
    Yakisugi treated wood used in a box for sunglasses
  • Modern Western garden room building featuring yakisugi wood cladding with sedum green roof
    Western garden room with yakisugi cladding

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. ^ Steele, James (16 March 2017). Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Tracing the Next Generation. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-37728-3.
  7. ^ "Thermal Wood Modification". Springer Handbook of Wood Science and Technology. 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Wilton, Megan (11 March 2009). "Yakisugi House by Terunobu Fujimori". Dezeen.
  10. ^ Sumner, Yuki (28 August 2009). "Interiors: A Japanese Charred-Timber House Inspired by a Cave Dwelling". The Daily Telegraph.
  11. ^ Kuma, Kengo (3 June 2022). "Yakisugi Forest". Kuma Kengo and Associates. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
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  • Media related to Yakisugi at Wikimedia Commons
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