In satoyama, hinoki trees are planted in large numbers as well as sugi (Japanese cedars). In our place, hinoki appears to be planted at relatively high elevations. The rough bark has been used as hiwada for roofing and other purposes. (Cedar bark, also used for roofing, is stripped of its entire surface layer after logging, but hinoki bark is stripped only from the surface of the living tree and it regrows.)

As a timber, it is light in color with a pinkish core, and I believe it is appropriate to call the core wood “akata” (red trunk). The wood is tenacious and relatively water-durable, and in addition to building materials, it was once used to make strings (hinokihimo) by thinly planing it in the direction of the straight grain.

We received a large amount of hinoki that was cut down due to landslides, and has been stored as logs, boards, and square timbers.