Nakamoto Forestry, the wood siding and cladding manufacturer renowned for its dedication to traditional Japanese craft and quality, is excited to become the primary distributor of hinoki wood in North America with the launch of its premium clear grade hinoki moulder blanks. Ideal for paneling, ceilings, flooring, and cabinetry, the new product expands Nakamoto Forestry’s sustainably harvested suite of natural wood materials.
Notoriously rare and difficult to procure in North America, hinoki is a slow-growing, aromatic Cypress species native to central and southern Japan, where the Nakamoto family has managed timberland since the 1920s. Considered a sacred species, hinoki has been used as a traditional material in construction and joinery for millennia—featured in temples and other important religious and ceremonial structures.
Hinoki wood is coveted for both its durability and beauty. Its natural oils, which provide resistance to rot and insects, release a lemony aroma. The color of hinoki wood is blonde with warm pink undertones. Nakamoto Forestry’s expert forest management techniques ensure linear trunk development, resulting in hinoki panels with straight, clear grain virtually absent of knots. Additionally, Nakamoto Forestry sustainably harvests its hinoki trees as demonstrated by its Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, employing selective logging practices to allow for new growth and maintain overall forest integrity.
Laboratory studies show that hinoki’s aroma can relieve stress and anxiety while increasing comfort and relaxation. Due to its aromatic quality, antibacterial properties, and elegant grain, hinoki offers an optimal choice for interior paneling, especially in bath and sauna installations.
With the introduction of this premium hinoki paneling, Nakamoto Forestry expands its portfolio of natural wood products sourced directly from Japan beyond its popular yakisugi products (also known as “shou sugi ban” in the West), which are intensely burned as a preservative heat treatment. The new hinoki moulder blanks offer architects and designers a light blond interior wood paneling option, increasing flexibility and versatility in terms of color, aesthetics, and suitability for wet room applications.
Nakamoto Forestry offers hinoki moulder blanks measuring 145 11/16 inches in length, 11/16 inch in thickness, and 4 3/4 inches in width. Hinoki moulder blanks come rough-sawn and dried, ready for your local millwork shop. The hinoki can be left unoiled, or a standard finish can be applied to achieve a desired color.
