World-renowned Kitayama Cedar sought for centuries
Category

Sightseeing

Age requirement

All ages

Message from worldpitou

The Kitayama Cedar, known for its ultra-straight and knot-free properties, is world-renowned and a sought-after resource in Japan. Its popularity extends back to the 15th century when foresters devised a unique solution for efficient usage of limited space - daisugi technique. The process involves pruning a mother tree in a bonsai-like fashion, resulting in slender-but-flexible cedar shoots that can be harvested every 20 years. This traditional wood is often used for chopsticks, furniture pieces, and even in architectural alcoves called Tokonoma as early as the Muromachi period. With just one mother tree lasting hundreds of years, daisugi truly earns its moniker as a work of art, with each shot being sculpted into the perfect use.

Want to see more?

I have created curated maps and itineraries for travellers that want to travel like me.

See all 885 things to do