My local timber merchant

[Bumble]

I made a trip to my local timber merchant this morning. It's only thirty two miles away but crosses three mountains so takes just over an hour. In the Prius the fuel consumption for the journey averages out at a hundred and twelve miles to the gallon! I can't get there from November to April though; the ice is ten inches deep on the roads and I'm not confident yet driving on ice...

The timber merchant only sells island timber and so the stock varies a lot. Today I got some Japanese Beech to make a much needed coffee table for the house. GBP equivalent about sixty quid. Also bought some Maple (about GBP 30) to make possibly some more small bench/stools. Local culture is to remove shoes when entering house and I see so many people struggling to bend down; it's got to be a handy thing to have...

So finally my question; should I be storing these flat or is propped upright okay? I'm limited for space...

 

[johnnyb]

I think as close to final use atmosphere is best. As much surface exposed as possible over 2 sides. If I was making smaller bits I would just store it upright if I needed the whole to stay flat I'd try and store it flat.
Good sensible prices there. Is Sugi available in hokkaido? It's the only Japanese wood I know ..

 

[Bumble]

I think as close to final use atmosphere is best. As much surface exposed as possible over 2 sides. If I was making smaller bits I would just store it upright if I needed the whole to stay flat I'd try and store it flat.
Good sensible prices there. Is Sugi available in hokkaido? It's the only Japanese wood I know ..

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll need to make a new storage unit above the roof beams.

We do have a lot of Sugi, or Japanese cedar as well as Hinoki, Japanese cypress. Those two were the trees of choice for samurai involved with replanting during the Edo period as they grow very straight and the timber is resistant to pests and mould. The timber is used in construction (less in recent years) and also interiors. All the paper screen doors and frames in this house uses one or the other as well as the windows. The ultimate baths for those with cash to splash is a Hinoki bath, which is very fragrant.
I keep finding bits of Hinoki or Suginoki (’noki’ lit. ’wood of’) in the kimono cabinets that get thrown out and have been using these to make things like fragrant tissue boxes.

Other timbers available include
Yamazakura, mountain cherry
Onigurumi, Japanese walnut
Mizunara, Japanese oak
Nire, Elm
and tens of others but my tiny brain has drawn a blank. Next visit to the timber merchants, I'll try to remember to take a picture. I always select from discount bins (discoloured, knots or insect holes). They have pieces priced from equivalent about GBP five to four or five thousand pounds for a very big slice of something delicious!

 

[johnnyb]

Japanese oak was quite popular from1900 on. It's a much finer wood than most oaks.