Osamu
The Story
Traditional cedar production flourished in Kyoto’s Kitayama region due to its steep, well-ventilated forests and the large temperature difference between summer and winter; ideal conditions for growth. Timber was transported to central Kyoto and traded for rice, miso or soy sauce. As they were carried down to the city by man, Kitayama cedars were grown to be thin and straight for ease of handling. Kitayama cedars have been raised for 600 years, and used in Katsura Imperial Villa, Shugakuin Imperial Villa, Shimabara Kakuya, and in tea rooms across the city.
The current 4th generation president, Osamu leads the family in handling all stages of cedar production, from their growth as saplings, and through the various stages of processing before shipment.
Kitayama cedars are high-end compared to most others. Foresters put more than 30 years into their growth, at an average cost that is thirty times more expensive than the rest of the world. Cheap and mass-produced products have become more popular and the cedar industry has devalued their timber and reduced the scale of business to follow the times. Osamu is sure that his cedars are worth the expense, and feels it is his mission to help people understand their value.
The Craft
Edauchi involves climbing the trees and cutting off most branches except some near the top. Because of this, the trees grow perfectly straight which is why Kitayama cedars are considered high value.
Honjikomi is the stage where cut trees are leaned against still-growing trees in order to dry them. During this process, the bark is removed. As the logs are dried naturally, the surfaces become strong and the sun’s UV rays give the logs a deeper luster.
In the final stage of production, foresters hand-polish the logs with fine sand. It is very tough to polish the logs in well water during the coldest season, yet the foresters feel that the time and effort to produce the logs is like raising children. The polishing process is like putting make-up on their own daughters before sending them off to be married.
The company attempts to follow the environmentally-conscious methods of their predecessors. Unused portions of the timber are burned to make ash, which is used as fertilizer to neutralize the soil. Leaves can be used as chips at construction sites, while bark is used for wall materials. Sunlight drying minimizes the use of petroleum resources, while healthy trees are nurtured through pruning, thinning, and cutting undergrowth.
Besides a complimentary warehouse tour, the company also leads a Kitayama cedar tour which takes in a 500-year-old mother tree, their logging warehouses and products, plus offers a wood sanding experience.
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