2006 Volume 5 Pages 25-42
Timber-frame building is a symbol of Japan’s “Culture of wood” which makes use of renewable natural resources for construction. Compared to that of the West, Japan’s is fundamentally different in that it incorporates a unique recycling system of timbers. In the 21st century, we face the global issue of limited natural resources and in groping for a more suitable solution, it is to this Japanese tradition of timber-frame building that we should turn to in to guide us to an important future course so that not only Japan’s buildings but also its forests, with its rich natural reservoirs remain intact. Ninety percent of cultural buildings designated by Japanese government are made of wood of which nearly half have roofs made of materials derived from vegetation. Due to the perishable nature of these materials, traditional buildings tend to be affected by rain and wind. Therefore, scheduled maintenances and restorations of these buildings must be continued into the future. About 30-40 percent of building parts are commonly replaced and at times requiring complete dismantlement. In order to enforce a schedule of maintenances, it is important to keep stocks of wood for repairs and a system to obtain these stocks on a long-term basis is essential.
