Pop Japan

Watch the video to see how the ancient Japanese people preserve and finish wood, using fire. 

The Shou Sugi Ban, literally ‘burnt cedar board’, is an ancient Japanese technique that helps preserve wood by charring it. It is commonly used with the Japanese cedar but can work as well with other species of wood, such as oak, pine and red cedar. 

The first thing to do is to burn the wood. After that, the next step is brushing the wood with a wire brush, which will result in taking the charred parts out to reveal a lighter color. The next step will be to wash the wood or to blow the excess dust, before oiling it. To finish the wood, apply oil liberally to preserve its natural finish. 

Using the Shou Sugi Ban technique makes wood weather-resistant. It is also becomes fire, water, UV, rot and pest-resistant. 

Tags: japan, preserve wood by burning, ancient japanese people, shou sugi ban, burnt cedar board, char, pest resistant