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…

Design, News, People, Showcase, Techniques

Noir Sculptural Objects Create a Lyrical Effect

Call it the new noir. Black finishes are bringing sculptural furniture into focus as never before. In porcelain, bronze, walnut and other natural materials, well-designed objects are coming out of…

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May 25, 2021
Architecture, Design, News, Showcase, Tiny Home, Travel, Wellness

Rising from the Hawaiian Volcanic Ashes

Just because a tiny house is petite in stature doesn’t mean it lacks amenities. In fact, some of our favorite diminutive dwellings pack a bigger design punch than houses three…

read more
November 8, 2021
Architecture, News, Showcase

Two Shou Sugi Barns in Rural New York State

Architecture firm BarlisWedlick collaborated closely with the homeowner on this country compound located two hours north of New York City in Ancram, New York. The complex is underscored by the 1,800 square foot passive…

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September 9, 2021
  • 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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    Black Barn is Off the Grid

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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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  • Architecture,  Design,  DIY,  News

    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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    May 2, 2017

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  • 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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    October 9, 2020

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

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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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