Shou Sugi Ban

The Traditional Japanese Art of Charred Cedar

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  • Home ホームページ
  • Overview 概要
    • History
    • People
    • Architecture
    • Design
  • News ニュース
  • Techniques 技術
    • Shou Sugi Ban 101
    • DIY Projects
  • Video ビデオ
  • Shop 日本 店

Overview

Shou Sugi Ban 焼杉板 (or Yakisugi) is an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it with fire. Traditionally, sugi 杉 (Cryptomeria japonica L.f.), also called Japanese red-cedar, was used. The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil.

Today Shou Sugi Ban is an environmentally friendly way to preserve timber and, paradoxically, make it fire-resistant. Chemical preservatives, paints and retardants are therefore unnecessary. In addition to exterior uses, the popular technique is now found in interior rooms, furniture, and artwork.

Learn more…

Architecture, Design, News, Showcase, Travel

A Modern Retreat at the Far Edge of Ireland

As in all the best B&Bs, tea is offered within seconds of arrival. At Breac.House which opened recently on Horn Head near Dunfanaghy, it is served in little grey goblets…

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June 19, 2020
Architecture, Design, Music, News, Showcase

Shou Sugi Ban Music Studio Bangs

London-based studio, Unknown Works has designed Shou Sugi Bangers, a small music studio for an electronic music producer. The goal was to create a tuned environment to retreat from the…

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September 12, 2024
Architecture, Design, DIY, News, People, Showcase, Techniques

The Appeal of a Burnt Wood Finish

This Old House’s Bob Vila addresses the hottest trend in design—which is also an ancient Japanese technique— and offers his list of surprising benefits for siding, furniture, and more. Whether…

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March 9, 2020
  • Design,  DIY,  News

    Flame Throwing Sugi Style

    From Orchard House in Ohio, here’s how you char wood in today’s world: get yourself a flame thrower. In actuality, it is a lot of fun with fire. It’s like one hot coat of paint that will last the life of the house. The paintbrush, in this case, is a torch.  Lent to us by expert roofer Chris Moore, it is just a flame thrower that hooks up to a propane tank that allowed us to get the job done fast.

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    Facade Focus: Charred Cedar

    Siding is a pretty dull subject—unless you’re talking about charred cedar cladding, which makes our hearts go pitter-patter. It’s beautiful to look at and practical, too—the ancient Japanese technique seals the wood against rain and rot, and makes it fire resistant. Here, a look at some houses that feature this ancient—and yet so modern—material. From Dwell on modern Shou Sugi Ban applications.

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  • Design,  DIY,  News,  Techniques

    Apartment Therapy Tutorial: Make a Shou Sugi Ban Wall

    Apartment Therapy shares a helpful tutorial on making your own Shou Sugi Ban wall. Note their safety tips! For those of you who would like to try this yourself, please be aware that dust from charred wood is so fine that it can clog pores and is extremely unhealthy if inhaled. Take extra precautionary measures by protecting yourself with goggles, gloves, face masks (or any respiratory protectors) and full-bodied clothing.

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    July 29, 2021
  • Design,  DIY,  News,  Techniques,  Video

    HGTV Kitchen Remodel with Shou Sugi Ban chops

    From HGTV Kitchen Cousins, this kitchen remodel incorporates raw edge timber and Shou Sugi Ban planks to create the ‘Rustic Luxe Redux’ style the new owners are looking for. This week the Cousins create a rustic luxe kitchen for fashionista Jeannie Mai of the Style Network and Freddy Harteis, Sportsman Channel’s Hollywood Hunter. This husband and wife want to marry their opposite and unique styles. Jeannie takes Anthony and John to one of her favorite restaurants on the Sunset Strip for inspiration and the guys get back to nature with Freddy on an archery range to get those design juices flowing. John and Anthony mix up some crazy ideas to…

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    May 2, 2017

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    Get off the Fence about Shou Sugi Ban

    Cool reclaimed wood product designers, Arrowhead, based in Durham, North Carolina, revisited a standard pine fence by giving it the shou sugi ban treatment.  In additional to being aesthetically pleasing, this technique renders the wood virtually maintenance free – fire, rot, and bug resistant – via a layer of carbon created by burning. By employing this technique, we were able to locally create a durable, beautiful product without any industrial materials or processes.

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 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

The Traditional Japanese Art of Charred Cedar

Shou Sugi Ban 焼杉板 (or Yakisugi) is an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it with fire. Traditionally, sugi 杉 (Cryptomeria japonica L.f.), also called Japanese red-cedar, was used. The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil.

Today Shou Sugi Ban is an environmentally friendly way to preserve timber through charring which, paradoxically, makes it fire-resistant. Chemical preservatives, paints and retardants are therefore unnecessary. In addition to exterior uses, the popular technique is now found in interior rooms, furniture, and artwork.
Learn more…

Recent Posts

  • Dragon Mansion Clad in Striking Shou Sugi Ban Exterior
    June 9, 2025
  • Serpentine Pavilion in Freeform Shou Sugi Ban style
    May 16, 2025
  • In England, Couple Builds a Serene Shou Sugi Ban Retreat
    April 12, 2025
  • Farmhouse Fixer find Shou Sugi Ban Barn Doors a Delight
    March 8, 2025
  • Waterfront Mid-Century Home in Seattle gets Shou Sugi Ban Treatment
    February 12, 2025

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Further Reading

  • Suminagashi books
  • Shou Sugi Ban books
  • Sake books
  • Wabi-sabi books
  • Sumi-e books
  • Shodo books
  • Bonsai books
  • Origami books
  • Ukiyo-e books
  • Ikebana books
  • Feng Shui books
  • Japanese Cookbooks
  • Travel to Japan
  • Learn Japanese
  • Learn More

    • Nihon : The Culture of Japan
    • Suminagashi :  Japanese Marbling
    • Shou-sugi-ban : Charred Panels
    • Sake : Rice Wine
    • Wabi-sabi : The Art of Imperfection
    • Sumi-e : Ink Brush Painting
    • Shodo : Calligraphy
    • Bonsai : Gardening
    • Origami : Paper Folding
    • Ukiyo-e : Woodblock Printing
    • Ikebana : Flower Arranging Artistry

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