Everyone, from master craftsmen to DIY enthusiasts, can do this process manually or using machine automation.
This unique technique has caught hold in modern architectural circles, increasing in popularity worldwide.
Here’s what to know.
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What Is Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi)?
It emerged in the 1700s and is traditionally tied to the Edo period.
The act of “fire-hardening” is not new; people have used it for over 400,000 years.
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While it might seem counterintuitive, charring wood doesnt make it structurally weaker but has the opposite effect.
The American term resulted from a mistranslation of the kanji or Chinese characters.
“Shou” is a misspelling of “yaki,” meaning to burn or char.
Maarten Van Houten/Maarten Baas
Shou sugi ban wood will last longer indoors than out.
Indoor shou sugi ban wood can last even longer, with some estimates at more than 100 years.
Burning Wood to Make it Fireproof : The Science Behind Shou Sugi Ban.
Burnt Wood Wallpaper by Maarten Baas and Piet Hein Eek for NLXLNLXL
Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association.
2016;12(5):20160174.
10, 2021, pp.
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- doi:10.3390/polym13101662
Torch Safety.Southwest Center for Agricultural Health.
How much does shou sugi ban cost?HomeAdvisor.
ahirao_photo / Getty Images
