Japanese burned wood

Yakisugi - Traditional Japanese Burned Wood

Burned Wood with Optimal Qualities for Modern Architecture

A Design Highlight for Your Façade

Japanese burned wood, produced with the Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) technique, is ideal for homeowners, architects, and builders seeking high-quality cladding with a unique aesthetic.

The charring process not only enhances the visual appeal of the wood but also adds functional benefits like increased durability, water resistance, and natural protection against insects.

We offer you Japanese burned wood made from authentic Japanese cypress, crafted with the utmost precision and care.

An Eye-Catching Statement: Japanese Burned Wood

Distinctive Surfaces for Exceptional Design

The traditional Yakisugi method gives the wood a distinctive look that stands out, whether used as a striking feature in contemporary urban designs or integrated into country-style properties. The burned wood’s texture and deep, charred colour bring a natural yet modern finish to any façade or wall cladding, making it a popular choice for those seeking something different from conventional materials. Our Japanese burned wood comes from Nakamoto Forestry, a family-owned company in Japan. The sustainable cultivation of Japanese cypress (Sugi) and the traditional, chemical-free production process make Yakisugi a climate-friendly option for cladding. The absence of chemical treatments also means that our burned wood is an environmentally responsible choice, enhancing your project’s green credentials. Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) gained wider recognition in the West when the renowned contemporary architect Terunobu Fujimori began to use this technique more extensively. Today, Japanese burned wood is a well-kept secret for those with an eye for the extraordinary.

Thanks to the traditional heat treatment, Yakisugi is resistant to rot and thus achieves exceptional weather resistance without any additional protective coating. It effortlessly defies the most adverse conditions, be it humidity, moisture, extreme heat, or frost.

Yakisugi is characterised by its remarkable durability. Sugi (Japanese cypress) is by nature superior in durability compared to conventional European cladding timber. The Yakisugi heat treatment adds further decades of years to this natural durability: there are numerous buildings in Japan with Yakisugi façades which are over 80 years old and have lost nothing of their beauty and functionality.

The Nakamoto Forestry family business in Japan produces Yakisugi for over 60 years. Typical to Japan, we do think in generations. Sustainability therefore is top priority in all production and processing steps to ensure that future generations can continue to use resources responsibly.

The cypress timber used for our Yakisugi come from our own forest stands and are selected with the utmost care. The burning process, which has been refined over decades, is continuously developed to offer you outstanding quality for your building project.

Our Yakisugi is the Japanese original, made from Japanese cypress and burned exclusively in Japan. The Nakamoto family has been active in wood production for over one hundred years and has been refining the boards from its own production using the traditional Yakisugi method for more than 60 years.

Japanese Burned Wood from Authentic Japanese Cypress

From Forest to Façade

While the technique can also be applied to European wood species, we use only the original Japanese cypress (Sugi), which offers numerous advantages over many local types of wood. Sugi wood is lighter than conventional European cladding woods, dimensionally stable, provides high natural durability, and is virtually resin-free. Our goal is to provide nothing less than top quality. We combine the highest standards in product and service with customer-friendly delivery times. This means you can soon own Japanese burned wood yourself, in whichever form you choose, and let your friends, business partners, and family enjoy these beautiful products with you.

Order Your Yakisugi Burned Wood Cladding Today!

Realize your Design

We are here to help you choose the ideal Yakisugi surface for your project. We offer you traditional Japanese burned wood with all its wonderful details and beneficial properties. Those with a taste for individuality will appreciate the unique surface texture, while anyone who values authenticity will love the original Japanese cypress that we use for the three traditional Yakisugi variants: Suyaki, Gendai, and Pika-Pika. Yakisugi wood is a renewable resource that is durable, low maintenance, and produced in a climate-friendly manner. This sustainable cladding solution is guaranteed to be a striking feature in your home. We are happy to advise you on your new burned wood façade! Feel free to contact us!

Our Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) products

Overview of our Yakisugi varieties

SUYAKI

The original yakisugi

Suyaki is the original Yakisugi variety and the stand-out surface treatment. The firing process gives it a charred layer of midnight-black soot and its characteristic texture some compare to alligator skin. A definite conversation-starter and the choice for anyone who wants their project to stand out from the crowd.

GENDAI

brushed once

The silky-smooth finish of our Gendai products comes courtesy of a first-pass brushing of the soot layer, while subtly preserving the remnants of the charring process. This has become the go-to choice for many of our customers with outdoor installations and no wonder – it’s ideal whatever your concept and project.

PIKA-PIKA

brushed twice

The vivid contrasts and uneven texture of wood given the Pika-Pika (a Japanese onomatopoeic word meaning ‘shining’ and often used for something visually appealing) treatment come after the soot layer of the charred wood is twice-brushed. Already striking in its natural state, brushing twice along the wood grain intensifies its impact even more.