Japanese culture includes a multitude of fun and unique traditional events, and Setsubun is no different. It is always the day before the first day of spring in the old Japanese calendar.…
Seijin no Hi: Coming of Age for Japan’s Youth
In Japan, the second Monday in January is Seijin no Hi or Coming-of-Age Day. This year, Seijin no Hi falls on January 9th. It’s a national holiday and day of celebration for…
World Cup Clean Up: Japanese Cleaning Goes Viral
The World Cup in Qatar is making the whole world go wild, and Japan’s national team has been doing well, beating Germany with a surprise comeback in their first game. I personally…
How Long Does Shou Sugi Ban Last?
Customers often ask us how long shou sugi ban will last. Eighty years is commonly seen on the internet but I am not sure where that specific number came from. I’ve traveled throughout…
Real vs. Fake Shou Sugi Ban
Is what you’re looking at real shou sugi ban, with all the durability and beauty of the tradition? Or is it fake shou sugi ban made to look the same in order…
The Original Shou Sugi Ban: 13 Unique Characteristics of Suyaki
The original Japanese shou sugi ban is what we call Suyaki®. The deeply burned and unbrushed exterior siding perfectly epitomizes the wabi-sabi aesthetic. Suyaki is the most easily recognizable and widely known…
6 Real-Life Tips to Hiring the Right Wood Siding Contractor
Contractors are by and far good people that dedicate their lives to making people’s dreams come true. They generally come from a trades background and it’s second nature to them that project…
Shiisaa of Okinawa
Hello friends, in what may be a departure from our normal posts about yakisugi, I would like to instead focus on a cultural peculiarity that I found intriguing during my time spent…
Forest Bathing: A Growing Japanese Trend
Have your friends ever asked you to go forest bathing? Unless your friend is Japanese, the answer is likely no. We all know the refreshing feeling from time spent outdoors surrounded by…
Choosing the Right Nakamoto Forestry Yakisugi “Shou Sugi Ban” Products
Simple Guidance on Choosing the Right Nakamoto Forestry Product for You Choosing a yakisugi (or shou sugi ban) product can be daunting or easy. Use this brief guide to cover the standard…