Urushi Lacquer Surfboards Kyoto: A Unique Connection Between Forests and Craftsmanship
In the forests of Keihoku, north of Kyoto, Asian black bears engage in a behavior known as kumahagi by stripping bark from cedar and cypress trees. This causes wounds that alter the wood’s grain, traditionally lowering its commercial value. Damaged trees are often chipped for fuel or left in the mountains. However, the BEARS WOOD PROJECT capitalizes on unique wood, incorporating the scars into stunning wooden surfboards through their siita brand. The boards crafted from these woods embody a transformation of nature’s marks into art.
The Mastery of Urushi Lacquer
Takuya Tsutsumi, the fourth-generation head of the Kyoto lacquer shop founded by his family in 1909, leads this creative endeavor. Over the years, Tsutsumi has expanded the use of urushi, a natural resin, to unconventional canvases, including bicycles, skateboards, and now, these unique surfboards. Collaborating with wooden surfboard shaper Rodrigo Matsuda, Tsutsumi applies the urushi finish to boards carefully shaped from cedar in the historic Keihoku region.
Economic and Ecological Innovation with Urushi Lacquer Surfboards Kyoto
Recognizing the forestry challenges posed by kumahagi, the Project attempts to keep bear-damaged timber economically useful. Instead of discarding portions of the trunk, the team embraces the uneven growth around scars. Tsutsumi emphasizes the importance of compensating foresters fairly for the impacted wood, flipping a detriment into a distinctive aesthetic element. This innovative approach not only promotes sustainability but also redefines the value of traditional craft and Japanese woodwork.
This innovative approach not only promotes sustainability but also echoes themes of sustainable architecture in student housing.
Cedar’s Journey from Mountain to Wave
Keihoku has been a timber supplier for over a millennium. Located in this rich landscape, siita embraces local materials, drawing inspiration from Hawaiian alaia surfboards. The process intertwines natural history and craftsmanship; trees bear the initial marks, growing for years before Matsuda’s shaping and Tsutsumi’s lacquer application reveal their unique grain. Tsutsumi’s urushi finish preserves these natural stories amid the board’s smooth surface, making each creation a quintessential example of this artisanal craft.
Project Information
- Project: BEARS WOOD PROJECT / Urushi Board -siita-
- Urushi Artisan: Takuya Tsutsumi | @takuuuututu
- Lacquer Shop: Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi | @tsutsumi_urushi
- Surfboard Shaper: Rodrigo Matsuda | @rodo_matsuda
- Location: Keihoku, Kyoto, Japan
- Materials: Local cedar, including bear-damaged timber, urushi lacquer
- BEARS WOOD PROJECT Launched: 2022
- Siita Launched: 2023
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What are kumahagi and how do they affect cedar trees?
Kumahagi is a behavior where Asian black bears strip bark from cedar and cypress trees. This causes wounds that alter the wood’s grain, traditionally lowering its commercial value.
Who is involved in making the unique surfboards?
Takuya Tsutsumi, the fourth-generation head of a Kyoto lacquer shop, leads the creation of these surfboards in collaboration with wooden surfboard shaper Rodrigo Matsuda.
How does the project contribute to sustainability?
Instead of discarding bear-damaged timber, the project incorporates the unique scars into the surfboards, promoting sustainability and redefining the value of traditional craft.