The technique of charring wood, a method known for its ability to preserve and protect, spans across continents and millennia, tracing back to ancient civilisations in both Northern Europe and Japan. While in Japan, this method is refined into the aesthetic and preservative practice known as Yakisugi (or Shou Sugi Ban), Northern Europe has its own rich history of wood charring, rooted in practicality and necessity. In this post we look into the fascinating journey of wood charring across these cultures, exploring its origins, development, and contemporary resurgence. Yakisugi, which translates to “burnt cedar board,” is a traditional Japanese technique that involves charring the surface of wood, specifically Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), to enhance its durability and aesthetic appeal.

This practice dates back to the 18th century and was initially used to protect homes and buildings from the harsh climatic conditions of Japan, including humidity, salt from the sea, and insects. The charring process creates a carbonized layer on the wood’s surface, providing a natural preservative effect that makes the wood resistant to rot, pests, and even fire.

Beyond its practical benefits, Yakisugi is celebrated for the beauty it brings to the wood, highlighting its grain and texture, and yielding a distinct, deep black finish that can vary depending on the intensity of the burn and the finishing techniques applied thereafter. 

This blend of functionality and aesthetics has made Yakisugi a revered practice in Japanese architecture and design, embodying a philosophy where beauty and utility are intrinsically linked.

In contrast to the aesthetic-driven approach of Japan, the charring of wood in Northern Europe was historically rooted in practicality.

The technique was known in various forms across the region, particularly in Scandinavia, where it was employed to protect wooden buildings, ships, and fencing from the ravages of moisture, decay, and pests.

Similar to Yakisugi, the European method involved burning the wood’s surface to create a protective barrier, yet it lacked the systematic refinement and artistic nuances found in the Japanese practice.

Medieval Europe also saw the use of charring as a method for fireproofing timber in construction, a critical concern in densely built urban areas prone to devastating fires.

Moreover, in maritime applications, Europeans explored charring as one of several methods to protect ship hulls from deterioration and biofouling, although this practice was eventually supplanted by other technologies like tar coating and copper sheathing.

“Sashimono” is a technique for assembling furniture and other wooden items without nails, using both simple and highly complex wood joints. Mortises or grooves called ‘hozo’ are carved into the wood in order to join two boards in a blind joint that’s not visible from the surface.

The term “Sashimono” derives from the traditional practice of using a woodwork ruler called a “monosashi” to carefully measure timber materials.