I found no shortage of shou-sugi-ban (or more properly, yakisugi) siding in Japan. Since I just recently experimented with charring wood, I appreciated seeing a variety of walls finished with yakisugi siding. Interestingly, it was used in many different contexts, everything from neighborhood houses to temple perimeter walls. I liked that about it. In Kurashiki at least, it seemed to transcend all types of buildings both humble and grandiose.
Here are a few photos of shou-sugi-ban siding I saw out in the wild.
Shou-Sugi-Ban Siding
From what I understand, shou-sugi-ban siding is still used in Japan for very practical, utilitarian reasons. It’s very resistant to weather and insect damage. (It’s much more fire-resistant than uncharred wood too, but I suspect that fire is much less of a concern in modern Japan.)
Check out the very first picture — clearly this is a very exposed wall with basically zero roof overhang. This siding offers a lot of protection, and it’s also aesthetically quite striking. Yakisugi siding is consistent in its look from the get-go — I wonder if that is also part of the appeal? Wood obviously darkens as it ages, and depending on the exposure it’s not always a consistent pattern. Not initially, at least.
However, shou-sugi-ban siding has it’s own unique weathering pattern — check out these pictures below.
The charred bits can physically wear off over time, revealing the wood underneath the surface. Heavily charred walls are quite delicate and they need to be treated with care. Anything that rubs against the surface can damage the finish.
I thought the below wall was pretty interesting. This was a house that has clay plastered walls underneath the siding. You can easily see the clay wall where the siding has been damaged. Of course clay plaster does not hold up to direct weather well at all, so this yakisugi rain screen adds a lot of protection to the house.
And here’s an example of shou-sugi-ban at a temple site (Honeiji Temple). This perimeter wall has a really beautiful curved detail at the bottom. I’m a big fan of the contrast between the charred wood and shikkui (lime plaster) finish.
Even the char pattern seems really even on this wood.
And if you read my previous post, you already saw this privacy wall — more shou-sugi-ban with shikkui. I dig it.
