Cypress bark roofing, cedar bark roofing, and wooden shingle roofing: Background of the project / Social issues

Inheritance and Rediscovery of Traditional Techniques! Bringing Japan's Ancient Traditional Roofing Methods into New Architecture.

Hinoki bark roofing is a traditional Japanese roofing technique that uses materials shaped from the bark of the hinoki tree. It allows for elegant curves and a sense of weight in the eaves, and is primarily seen in important cultural properties today. Since only the bark is harvested from standing hinoki trees, it is considered an environmentally friendly method; however, the decrease in available hinoki trees, the aging and reduction of craftsmen who harvest the bark (known as motokawashi), and those who process it into products (known as hiwadakoshiraeshi) have made securing materials increasingly difficult. "Hiwadaya Co., Ltd." was incorporated in 1994 and continues the tradition of "hiwadaya," which has been in existence since the Tenpo era (1830s). The representative, Masashi Sasaki, is the only hinoki bark roofer in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Hiwadaya Co., Ltd. will continue to preserve and pass on the unique traditional architectural culture of hinoki bark roofing in Japan. [Mainly used products] ○ Nagahira (long flat) 2 shaku 5 sun → Approximately 75 cm in total length, with 120 pieces (1 bundle) shaped into a trapezoid. ○ Skilled craftsmen produce 1 to 2 bundles per day. → Each product requires 10 kg to 15 kg of bark. ○ About 2,000 bundles of this product were used in the Ryufukuji construction project in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. For more details, please contact us or download the catalog.

Wood products