Hikiai【Timber Tones】　 | マサコー山口木工

Timber Tones 木目とりどり

Hikiai are handmade wooden magnets that bring people andtrees together, reminding us of their deep connection.

This set of five showcases a striking contrast of tree species,

each with its own distinctive color and grain pattern.

With their rich variety, they almost look like pieces of chocolate
-a treat for the eyes rather than the mouth.

Sugi／スギ／Cryptomeriajaponica

Usesofwood

architecture,woodenbarrelsforsake

Youarewonderful justthewayyouare.

TreeMeanings

CedarisanendemicspeciesofJapanthathassharedahistory withtheJapanesepeoplesinceancienttimes.Therearemyths andlegendsfromalloverJapan,andintheNihonShoki,Susanoo noMikotopluckedhisownbeardtocreateacedartree,believing itwouldbegoodforbuildingships. Thelarge,straight,andlighttrunksmakecedarsexcellentfor shipsandbuildingmaterials,andtheywereanimportant resourceforJapanfromtheYayoiperiodthroughtotheEdo period.

Shimakokutan／縞黒檀／Diospyrosspp.

Usesofwood

traditionalJapanesehardwoodinlay, jewelry,pianoblackkeys

Strongdetermination

TreeMeanings

Thisebonyfeaturesdistinctiveblackandbrownstripes. Itishardandbeautiful,whichiswhyitsoftencalledthe diamondof wood. Thegrainvariesdependingonitsplaceoforigin,givingitanexotic charmthatsfuntoadmire. Sinceancienttimes, ithasalsobeensaidtowardoffevilspirits.

Buna／ブナ／Faguscrenata

Usesofwood

tables,buildingblocks

Prosperity

TreeMeanings

TreeMeanings: Itsmajesticanddignifiedappearancehas earneditthenickname QueenoftheForest. Thewoodis smoothanddurable,withlittlesplintering.Thebarkisalso smooth,makingiteasytocarve,sopeoplehavebeencarving lettersandhatchetmarksintobeechsinceancienttimes. In German,wordssuchasBuchstabe(letters)andBuch(books) arebothderivedfromtheword beech, illustratingthedeep connectionbetweenbeechandwriting.

Blackwalnutisoneoftheworldsmostvaluedwoods,alongwithteakand mahogany. Itsdarkbrowncolorhasapurplishhue,anditgivesoffasubtlesweet andslightlytartaroma. Itishighlyresistanttoimpactandscratches,makingit suitableforfurniture,anddespiteitshardness, ithasaresilientqualitythat makesiteasytoworkwithandabletowithstandstress,allowingfordelicate decorationssuchascabriolelegs.MainlyfoundinNorthAmerica, itsnutshells aremuchcoarserandharderthanthoseofJapaneseorEuropeanwalnuts, feeling almostimpossibletocrack.

BlackWalnut／ブラックウォルナット／uglansnigra

Usesofwood

luxuryfurniture,musical instruments

Familyharmony

TreeMeanings

ItisthehardestwoodinJapanandisoftenusedfortoolhandles. Itisresistantto coldweather,andtherewasacustomofplantingitaroundhousesforwindand fireprotection. Itbearsacorns,whichfall inNovember,whichisrelativelylate amongacorns.