Yakisugi (Japanese: 焼杉, lit. 'burnt cypress '[1]) is a traditional, very old Japanese method of wood preservation.[2][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".
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Art_House_Project03s3872.jpg/220px-Art_House_Project03s3872.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Setouchi_Yakisugi.jpg/220px-Setouchi_Yakisugi.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Yakisugi_effect_wooden_box.jpg/175px-Yakisugi_effect_wooden_box.jpg)
By slightly charring the surface of the wood without combusting the whole piece, the wood becomes water-proof through the carbonisation and is thus more durable, [3][4] however there is conflicting evidence that this method of wood preservation does not improve durability or fire resistance.[5] It additionally protects the wood against insects, fungi and mold, as well as making the wood a rather fire-resistant material.[6]
This old technique has several similarities with the modern, thermal wood modification[7] methods used in Europe and elsewhere.
Examples
editContemporary architect Terunobu Fujimori works with yakisugi.[8][9] In addition, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma uses this charred wood material in his modern creations.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b MacDonald, Deanna (9 February 2016). Eco Living Japan: Sustainable Ideas for Living Green. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-1845-4.
- ^ Fortini, Amanda (19 September 2017). "The Latest Design Trend: Black and Burned Wood". The New York Times.
- ^ "Use This Incredible Technique to Waterproof Wood Furniture". Architectural Digest. 3 November 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Steele, James (16 March 2017). "Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Tracing the Next Generation". Routledge.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Yakisugi House by Terunobu Fujimori", Megan Wilton, Dezeen, 11 March 2009, Photograph: Edmund Sumner.
- ^ "Interiors: A Japanese charred-timber house inspired by a cave dwelling", Yuki Sumner, The Telegraph, 28 August 2009
- ^ Harrison, Lana (2021-08-03). "Architects Reviving Traditional Technique: Yakisugi". Exterior Solutions. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
External links
edit- Media related to Yakisugi at Wikimedia Commons