Flamed wood

Flamed Wood: Traditional Japanese Heat Treatment

Yakisugi – Flamed Wood from Japan

Unique flamed wood façades

Yakisugi (also known as Shou Sugi Ban) is a traditional heat treatment, particularly used for cladding wood. This method has been practiced in Japan since the 18th century.
The term translates loosely as “burnt cypress.”
The result is flamed wood, where the surface is lightly charred. This creates a unique texture and aesthetic, making the wood more durable, water- and insect-repellent, and highly dimensionally stable, all without the use of chemicals.

We offer you flamed wood made from authentic Japanese cypress, produced, and processed by Nakamoto Forestry, a family-run business.

Flamed Wood Has Optimal Qualities

Weatherproof, insect-repellent, durable

Through the Yakisugi heat treatment, flamed wood gains optimal characteristics for modern and long-lasting cladding. We exclusively use original Japanese cypress (Sugi), which already has several advantages over conventional European cladding timbers. It is lighter, virtually resin-free, and extremely dimensionally stable. The heat treatment and carbonised surface give Yakisugi flamed wood additional benefits:

Weather resistance
Insect and mould repellent
Exceptional durability

The internationally renowned architect Terunobu Fujimori has introduced Yakisugi to Europe with his designs, making flamed wood a well-kept secret for architects and property owners with high-quality and design standards.

Flamed Wood from Authentic Japanese Cypress

Sustainable Production by Nakamoto Forestry

The family-run Nakamoto Forestry grows and processes Japanese cypress in their own forestry business, producing Yakisugi. Flamed wood is crafted in Japan with the highest standards of artisanal quality. Sustainable practices are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. We are committed to ensuring an optimal and responsible carbon footprint, from the forest to the wall. By choosing this renewable resource, you are opting for a sustainable, low-maintenance, and long-lasting product, further reducing the ecological footprint of your project.

Thanks to the traditional heat treatment, Yakisugi is resistant to rot and thus achieves exceptional weather resistance without any additional protective coating. It effortlessly defies the most adverse conditions, be it humidity, moisture, extreme heat, or frost.

Yakisugi is characterised by its remarkable durability. Sugi (Japanese cypress) is by nature superior in durability compared to conventional European cladding timber. The Yakisugi heat treatment adds further decades of years to this natural durability: there are numerous buildings in Japan with Yakisugi façades which are over 80 years old and have lost nothing of their beauty and functionality.

The Nakamoto Forestry family business in Japan produces Yakisugi for over 60 years. Typical to Japan, we do think in generations. Sustainability therefore is top priority in all production and processing steps to ensure that future generations can continue to use resources responsibly.

The cypress timber used for our Yakisugi come from our own forest stands and are selected with the utmost care. The burning process, which has been refined over decades, is continuously developed to offer you outstanding quality for your building project.

Our Yakisugi is the Japanese original, made from Japanese cypress and burned exclusively in Japan. The Nakamoto family has been active in wood production for over one hundred years and has been refining the boards from its own production using the traditional Yakisugi method for more than 60 years.

Browse, discover and order: Your flamed wood product will inspire you!

Suitable for Urban Design and Country Homes

The traditional flamed wood, with its unique aesthetics and beneficial properties, blends harmoniously into many design concepts.

As an accent or an impressive feature, Yakisugi captivates in a nature-inspired modern design as well as in the façade of country-style properties.

We are happy to answer all your questions and provide personal advice to help you choose the perfect surface for your property. We look forward to your enquiry.

Different Surface Textures: Flamed Wood Always Impresses!

The product differences

We offer flamed wood produced using the Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) technique in three different variants. The main difference lies in how the wood is treated after the heat process:

Suyaki is the darkest variant. The carbonised surface displays the unique texture of charred wood. The deep black coal colour, with its silvery sheen, gives the surface a silk-like appearance.
Gendai is brushed once and appears more of a deep matte brown. The wood grain stands out in a darker tone.
Pika-Pika is brushed twice after carbonisation, revealing the full range of natural colours in the cypress wood. Light hues from yellow-white to pink-orange contrast vividly with the remnants of soot, particularly visible in cracks, splits, and knots.

Depending on the surface variant, different coating options are available to preserve the wood’s appearance or create various colour accents.

FAQ - Flamed wood

What is the best way to maintain flamed wood?

Due to its nature and processing, the wood is very easy to care for. Maintenance is only necessary if you want to maintain a certain colour appearance of the wood. Wood used indoors can be cleaned with soft, lint-free cloths (without adding water!).

Which variants of flamed wood are available?

We keep all three variants in stock for you – Suyaki, Gendai and Pika-Pika. However, as we offer a large number of different sizes, profiles with different oil coatings, current stock levels may vary. We will be happy to provide you with information about our current stock levels at any time.

How to process flamed wood?

We seal any knotholes in the wooden boards using a special resin glue. Depending on the variant and requirements for the wood, it is given the appropriate coatings. We only use environmentally friendly oils. They protect the wood, seal the soot layer and provide the desired colour accent.

What applications are possible with flamed wood?

The majority of our flamed wood is used for interior and exterior timber clasdding, siding, and panelling. The products can also be used for wooden fences (outdoors), flooring or furniture. We will be happy to advise you on the options available to you with our woods.

Our Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) products

Overview of our Yakisugi varieties

SUYAKI

The original yakisugi

Suyaki is the original Yakisugi variety and the stand-out surface treatment. The firing process gives it a charred layer of midnight-black soot and its characteristic texture some compare to alligator skin. A definite conversation-starter and the choice for anyone who wants their project to stand out from the crowd.

GENDAI

brushed once

The silky-smooth finish of our Gendai products comes courtesy of a first-pass brushing of the soot layer, while subtly preserving the remnants of the charring process. This has become the go-to choice for many of our customers with outdoor installations and no wonder – it’s ideal whatever your concept and project.

PIKA-PIKA

brushed twice

The vivid contrasts and uneven texture of wood given the Pika-Pika (a Japanese onomatopoeic word meaning ‘shining’ and often used for something visually appealing) treatment come after the soot layer of the charred wood is twice-brushed. Already striking in its natural state, brushing twice along the wood grain intensifies its impact even more.