-
Cedar trees grow slowly throughout the years. The young artisan confronts a cedar of more than double his age. Truly the moment he receives the blessing of nature. Before lumbering, he determines the direction of the tree not to involve other trees.
-
"Shinzai(the heart of the wood)" which has the least changes after lumbering is used to prevent leakage and make quality wood barrels. So the material for the barrel should be only trees older than 60 years, which have a thick shinzai.
-
To cut a tree correctly connects to making a "living forest". The ecosystem is protected by the light that draws from the sky, and the forest thrives. Protecting the forest means protecting the planet, which connects to inheriting life.
Neba town forestal association (Japanese text only)
-
The "dead knots" that cause leakage are sliced away and then covered by thin cedar. The "knots" are where the branches were in the tree. To slice away the "knots" in the correct direction, at least 5 years of training is necessary.
-
Even if just a little space opens, the barrel leaks. Exact preciseness is required in every single wood-piece.
-
By inserting wood along the tenons, finally the shape of the wood barrel can be seen. The final check is also relied on the eyes of artisans.
JAPAN WOOD TANK & PIPE MFG. CO.,LTD (Japanese text only)