Shou Sugi Ban is a Japanese technique that uses carbonisation from charring to protect wood from water and insects. The Kanji characters translate as ‘heat with fire cypress plank’ Also known as Japanese red cedar, this is the most common type of wood to undergo this process. The species of wood is important for good looking and hard wearing finish as the oil content of the timber can give wildly different results.
Shou Sugi Ban is a relatively modern technique first appearing in the 18th century, although more primitive methods were used as far back as 700 AD. The carefully selected planks are burnt intensely but for a short time, traditionally by stacking into tall vertical chimneys that channel the heat, today the use of kilns and blow torches is more common. After the charring process loose material and soot is brushed from the surface to reveal the striking blackened grain of the wood before a natural oil is added to finish.
As a surface finish Shou Sugi Ban is environmentally friendly, requiring no chemical oils, paints or preservatives, it is naturally hard wearing requiring little maintenance, and in the right setting is really quite beautiful.