「困った木」で作る 時木の積層

「磨き丸太」とは、樹皮を剥いで乾燥させ、表面を磨きあげた丸太のこと。なめらかで光沢感の木肌が特徴で、古くから日本家屋の建築材として使われています。奈良県吉野の〈森庄銘木〉は、スギ・ヒノキの植林から完全乾燥製品まで一貫しておこない、時間をかけて高品質の磨き丸太を生産しています。今回その中から、磨いた後に、最終的な検品で製品にはいたらなかったものを取得。この磨き丸太だけではなく、加工が施され、完成を目前に廃棄に至ってしまう木の存在も改めて知ることになりました。

Tree has been Polished Away

A “polished log” refers to a log that has had its bark removed, dried, and then polished to achieve a smooth, glossy surface. This type of wood has been used as a building material in traditional Japanese houses for centuries. Morisho Meiboku in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture, conducts the entire process from planting Sugi and Hinoki trees to producing fully dried products, taking time to create high-quality polished logs. From this production, we acquired a polished log that, after being worked on, was ultimately rejected during the final inspection and not made into a product. This experience made me more aware of not only polished logs but also other wood that is processed and almost finished, only to be discarded at the final stage.