「困った木」で作る 時木の積層

神戸港エリアには、古くから造船工場が連ねており、その事業を縁の下で支えていた木の存在がありました。造船する際に、船台上で船体を支えるために「盤木（ばんぎ）」という角材があります。現在は使われず、倉庫に保管されていたものを取得。船の油を吸い。色が黒く染まっている様が特徴的。この盤木のように、建築や家具などわたしたちが実際に使うものだけではなく、道具として使われる木も多々あります。現在は木ではない素材に置き換わるケースや事業活動の終了によって、大量の「困った木」が突如出現することもしばしば。その活用法はもちろん、その存在を知らせるネットワークの強化も必要となってきます。

Tree that Spent Time with the Ship

The Kobe Port area has long been home to shipbuilding factories, and behind these operations was the presence of wood that supported the industry. One such type of wood is “bangi”—large beams used on the slipways to support the ship’s hull during construction. These beams, no longer in use, were stored in warehouses and have since been acquired. The wood is distinctive for its darkened color, caused by absorbing oil from the ships. Like bangi, wood is not only used in buildings and furniture, but also in tools and equipment. Nowadays, with many materials being replaced by non-wood alternatives, or due to the end of certain business activities, large quantities of Komatta-Ki often emerge unexpectedly. In addition to finding ways to make use of this wood, strengthening networks to raise awareness of its existence is becoming increasingly important.