Timber selection handbook
Understand sugi, hinoki, and keyaki properties with seasoning practices for stable joints.
Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica)—Japan's most important lumber species. Reddish-brown heartwood, straight grain, lightweight, resistant to fungus and insects. Janka ~320 lbf. Used for framing, kumiko, and yakisugi (charred siding). Target moisture 12–15% for indoor work.
Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa)—Prized for temples (e.g. Horyuji, 604 CE). Yellowish-white, lemon aroma, grows harder after harvest, termite-resistant. Used in religious buildings, bathtubs, and fine furniture.
Keyaki (Zelkova serrata)—Beautiful grain for furniture and exposed joinery.
Secondary species: Karamatsu (larch), Akamatsu (red pine) for construction. Consider grain orientation for joint strength, air- vs. kiln-drying, and seasonal movement. Defects to avoid: knots in critical areas, checks, and unstable sapwood.