An ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it. Traditionally used Sugi, also called Japanese cedar, was very often used and still very popular tradition in the Okayama Prefecture of Japan. Lately, the wood that is used by the designers and architects is mostly western red cedar, douglas fir, cyprus, pine and oak. The process is long and hard involving charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil. Although the time spent with this technique is long, the final product is extremely gorgeous, with rich, silvery finish. Seems surprising but the charred wood is fire resistant, also a rot and insects, and can last up to 80 years.

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