Japanese forests contain numerous trees with wood that is sacred in traditional religious ceremonies. The connection to the forest is realized in ritual offerings that include incense made from these rare woods.
Hinoki wood’s strong timber has been used for temples, Noh theaters, baths, and masu. Hinoki from the Kiso forest was sourced for the holy Ise shrine in Mie Prefecture. Sawara Cypress is a sturdy lemon scented “false” cypress with red stringy bark. The timber is also used for temples and shrines. It grows wild on the is- lands of Kyushu and Honshu. Asahi zuru maple is an ancient variety of maple native to Japan with beautifully ornate pink, white, and green leaves. Its name means “swan at dawn.”
