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Hinoki is a variety of tree found only in Japanﾑthe trees called Taiwan Hinoki are actually a sub-species of Hinoki. The famous Kisoh hinoki and Bishu hinoki all refer to hinoki naturally growing around the volcano Mt. Ontake after it`s eruption 300 years ago. Today, a board of this hinoki at least 30 cm and 30 mm thick is worth more than the same surface area covered with one hundred dollar bills. The bark of hinoki differs from sugi (Japanese cedar) and was used in the thatched Hiwada-style roofs of old Japanese homes and teahouses. Among hinoki trees there are both those growing naturally in national forests and those planted in private forests. The hinoki from private forests have irregular growth rings and are both hard and strong; they are perfect for use as a construction material but are not appropriate for sculpture. Many hinoki from national forests have stood for over one hundred years and have packed in many growth-rings. But nevertheless young trees from these forests are difficult to deal with in the same ways as those from private forests.
Because the grain of hinoki is extremely long, elastic and durable, it can not be carved perpendicular to the grain. Carving against the grain is extremely difficult and you are liable to slice off too much wood if you strain too hard. For rough carving and finishing, carving knives need to be thin and finely sharpened. Especially with V-shaped or round knives, when carving perpendicular to the grain you will encounter one direction that will be against the grain, so please take care to sharpen these knives extremely well. Hinoki is extremely difficult for beginners to carve and it is also very expensive. It is best to begin by carving hime-komatsu and then progressing to hinoki after you become more skilled. Even for professionals carving hinoki requires skill and expertise. Finishing |
Needle-leafed
Trees Part 1--Hinoki
Lumbering
and Carving