Japanese Environmentally Friendly Technique That Makes Wood Withstand 100 Years

In Craft by Anja, August 7, 2016

‘Yakisugi’ is a traditional Japanese solution passed from generation to generation and is the perfect method for preserving wood for over 100 years. Resinous wood, used mainly in the construction of buildings or objects of furniture, can be treated so as to withstand longer.

Japanese Environmentally Friendly Technique That Makes Wood Withstand 100 Years

“With this technique, wood can last for more that 100 years” by Mr_brost is licensed under CC BY 3.0

In the past, Japanese craftsmen used this technique for finishing and protecting exterior wood surface. This technique is called “carbonization” and is a process that literally everyone can do. At first the boards of various species, mainly conifers, are burnt over the surface and then the charred parts have to be taken off with very rough, special brushes.

The boards are then washed and covered with the first coat of tung oil, which hardens when mixed with air; it is the first natural lake ever used. Applying several layers, the coat becomes thicker and the wood’s resistance to time and weather increases.

It can be considered a highly efficient and environmentally friendly solution because it does not use any chemicals. Such boards can be used in plating exteriors of homes and as elegant pieces of furniture that could last for centuries.