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, DIY, News, Showcase

Farmhouse Fixer find Shou Sugi Ban Barn Doors a Delight

On “Farmhouse Fixer,” Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin renovate older homes so they feel fresh and modern. In many cases, that even means adding daring designs and colors. In the…

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March 8, 2025
Architecture, Design, News, Showcase

Shou Sugi Ban: A Popular New/Old Technique For Treating Wood

Shou Sugi Ban (which translates as “the burning of Japanese cypress”) is a traditional Japanese technique of charring wood to make it repel water, prevent sun damage and make it rot…

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August 11, 2020
Architecture, Design, News, Showcase

Maine Barn in Shou Sugi Ban Style

It’s the story of two sportsmen, Didier Bonner-Ganter and Nathalie Nopakun, who became attached to each other while cycling and who settled together near the coast of Maine. They built…

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February 12, 2024
  • Architecture,  Design,  News

    A Teahouse, Charred and Blackened (On Purpose)

    From Gardenista, explore a zen garden tea house in the Czech Republic inspired by shou sugi ban. Built for a family that wanted a peaceful, contemplative spot on the southern edge of a garden, the tea house is a variation of an unpretentious style that the architects developed after they traveled together to Japan while still students at Prague’s Academy of Art, Architecture and Design.

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  • Design,  News

    Shou-Sugi-Ban Is Setting the Siding World on Fire

    From Houzz, architects and designers weigh in on the benefits and beautiful aesthetics of using shou sugi ban in their work. Translated as “the burning of Japanese cypress (sugi)”, shou-sugi-ban is a process that chars the surface of exterior wood panels to create a dark material that is both protective and beautiful in any architectural project.

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    Remodeling 101: Shou Sugi Ban Wood as Siding and Flooring

    Repeat after us: Shou sugi ban. Devised as a way to make wood less susceptible to fire and to keep away insects and rot, this longstanding Japanese method involves torching your building materials. The results are long lived and hauntingly beautiful. And now charred wood is widely available for domestic use. From Remodelista, about how shou sugi ban is catching fire in the world of hip designers and architects.

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  • Design,  DIY,  News,  Suminagashi,  Techniques

    What is Suminagashi?

    Suminagashi or “floating ink” is the ancient process of marbling plain paper with water and ink to transform it into something vibrant and colorful. It originated in Japan as early as the 12th century. Find out more.

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    December 20, 2018
  • Design,  News

    Burn Baby Burn: A Modern Shou Sugi Ban Fireplace

    O the irony of creating a fireplace made from charred wood. Shou sugi ban’s amazing fire resistant properties make this an ideal and safer choice than standard lumber.  

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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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