Often people ask us if yakisugi (shou sugi ban) really will last 80 years without maintenance. When we ask them where they got that number they always have read it on the…
shou sugi ban
“Yakisugi” Or “Shou Sugi Ban”? Learn What You Should Call It, And Why
Learn more about the linguistic background and why there is so much confusion between “Yakisugi” and “Shou Sugi Ban” in North America and Europe. When we started researching the North American and…
Earlywood Vs Latewood And Growth Ring Patterns In Yakisugi
Growth Rings in Yakisugi “shou sugi ban” Cypress Siding Growth ring patterns are critical to both yakisugi “shou sugi ban” appearance and, more than most people realize, wood longevity. Anyone considering wood siding is…
What Is A Rainscreen & How Do You Install A Rainscreen
Other than higher cost over what we consider snake-oil exterior siding products (cement-board, vinyl, aluminium), the biggest problem with wood siding is the potential for mold growth and rot. Rot, mold, and…
The Feng Shui Of Shou Sugi Ban
Feng Shui is a Chinese term for a tradition followed across Northeast Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. In Japanese it is pronounced “fu-sui”, but the Chinese “feng shui” is generally used in…
The Science Behind Flame Retardancy Of Shou Sugi Ban/Yakisugi
Over the past 10 years yakisugi (or shou sugi ban) has been rapidly gaining popularity in the West, not only for its beauty and longevity in exterior applications, but also for its reputation of…
Shou Sugi Ban Fencing And Japanese Ko-Ushi Privacy Screens
A sturdy, stylish shou sugi ban fence not only makes a great first impression for visitors, it can dramatically improve the value of a home and provide privacy. In Japan, exterior privacy screens have…
The Meaning of “Sugi” in “Shou Sugi Ban”
Chances are if you’ve found this blog, you know who we are. We’re Nakamoto Forestry, the primary producer of yakisugi-ita or shousugiban, one of the longest-lasting and most gorgeous building materials on earth. For our…