Sugi & Hinoki Collection

We introduced our kiln-dried Sugi product as an additional option for North America in response to numerous customer requests. We were also inspired by projects where our customers contrasted our yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products with locally sourced cedars. 

Sugi offers a heartwood-sapwood color contrast that mirrors Western Red Cedar, while its grain pattern shares similarities with Eastern White Cedar and Bald Cypress. Our Sugi products are precisely milled from grade-A logs using traditional processes, then sanded to an interior-grade finished surface. These exceptionally high millwork standards make it a premium material. Our pricing remains competitive when considering comparable millwork and grading for randomly resawn North American cedars and cypresses. 

Moreover, our forests in Japan are managed sustainably, in accordance with Japan’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Wood sourced from Nakamoto’s own forests are PEFC certified material, ensuring the greatest care is taken in sustainable management and that old growth is never harvested. 

Our Sugi products are versatile for both exterior and interior applications, offering the choice of being coated or uncoated. Oil finish application and installation parameters are similar to other wood siding products in North America; Sugi can be coated and installed using standard tradecraft. Please note that we currently do not offer Sugi with a factory finish, apart from our unique weathering stain. This is due to potential soot contamination from the yakisugi products processed in our Portland coatings shop.

Sugi is specifically engineered not to require an oil finish and can be left unoiled for both interior and exterior applications. It can also be coated on-site using standard painting tradecraft in any desired color. We strongly recommend using only plant-derived coating formulas, steering clear of any petroleum-derived polyurethanes. It is advisable to test any coating on a sample before applying to the entire Sugi scope.

For a variety of reasons, we specify whether each of our products can be used indoors, outdoors, or both. The key distinction lies in whether the space will be exposed to direct weather conditions, regardless of whether it has conditioned air. Exterior-only products are not suitable for indoor use, and interior-only products are not suitable for outdoor use. 

For detailed information, please refer to the individual specification sheets for the Nakamoto Forestry products under consideration for your project.

Our unoiled Hinoki and sugi products offer an ideal choice for sauna interiors. However, it’s important to note that yakisugi “shou sugi ban” charred wood products or any kind of oil finish or stain should not be specified in sauna applications. Please see our Hinoki Moulder Blank page for specification and ordering information.

On sauna applications there are a few important parameters to follow for best results. Make sure that the lumber is under 10% moisture content before moulding and installation. Mould into a profile that allows for dramatic swelling and shrinkage without becoming noticeable. This generally means a 3/8” long tongue and groove, with a 1/4″ or so nickel gap in the profile. Acclimate the paneling stickered in the sauna itself for two weeks under normal operating conditions before installation. For best results elevate the stickered lumber on saw horses or scaffolding towards the top half of the room to expose it to the most extreme conditions. Design in a vented screen wall assembly and install with stainless steel 15gauge or larger headed nails through the tongue. Set face nails since the fasteners get very hot to the touch.

It is important to note that sauna applications are the most challenging of all installation conditions.  Atmospheric conditions can vary according to room design, heater specifications, and heater operation, especially if administered by a group. In some cases, no matter how careful the millwork or installation are executed, there can still be considerable dimensional movement and sometimes failure requiring replacement.

Hinoki is an aromatic cypress species native to central and southern Japan. The wood contains natural oils including hinokitiols, which make it resistant to rot, fungi, and insects. The fresh and robust aroma has a lemon-like scent that has been shown in academic studies to offer some unique health benefits. 

Hinoki is considered a sacred species in the indigenous animistic Shinto tradition and is the primary species used in Shinto shrine construction. In fact, hinoki becomes stronger as it ages and due to its astounding durability, many of these shrines as well as Buddhist temples remain intact after hundreds of years. Hinoki lumber has been shown to gradually weaken starting 1,000 years after the building is erected.

As a building material, Hinoki is versatile—with applications ranging from framing timbers, interior paneling, and exterior siding, to flooring and furniture. It is an especially outstanding option for tubs and saunas, where its calming and beneficial aroma is elevated. Hinoki can be used oiled or unoiled–but due to its beneficial aroma, it is generally used without an oil finish.