In Japan, a country characterized by its mountainous landscape, approximately 70% of its land is dedicated to forests. Japan's forests cover approximately 25 million hectares, with about 40% being planted forests, and one out of every four planted trees is a Hinoki (Japanese Cypress). Afforestation in Japan dates back to the late 15th century. Hinoki and Sugi (Japanese cedar), the most commonly planted trees, are a common cause of pollen allergies in spring due to their large population.
Hinoki tree with reddish bark
Hinoki, an evergreen coniferous tree, is native only to Japan and Taiwan. In the Nihon Shoki, a historical book of Japan compiled in the 7th century, it is written: 'Use cedar and camphor for boats, Hinoki for palaces, and Buddhist Pine for coffins.”
Hinoki boasts excellent durability against termites and wood decay fungi. Its dense material, pleasing color tone, and superior workability have made it a favored construction material for shrines and temples since ancient times. Hinoki has been utilized in the Ise Jingu shrine and the 1300-year-old Horyu-ji temple, as well as in the Shosoin, where the emperor's treasures were once kept for centuries for preservation.
Hinoki also demonstrates potent antibacterial effects against wood decay fungi, molds, MRSA, and other pathogens. These effects are attributed to the aromatic compound α-cadinol and a phenol compound called Honokiol, which shares a similar name with Hinokitiol but is a different compound. Interestingly, α-cadinol is known to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause dental caries. Its effects are stronger than those of Hinokitiol, which is renowned for its powerful antibacterial properties.
For cutting boards, it's fair to say that Hinoki has become the standard and is more readily available thanks to its historical significance and the efforts of past generations in afforestation. Other traditional woods favored for crafting cutting boards include Neko-yanagi (Pussy Willow), Kaya (Japanese Torreya), Yanagi (Willow), Ho or Honoki (Magnolia), and Icho (Gingko). More recently, Hiba should be added to the list. With the exception of Hinoki, these woods are mostly found in their natural state. As a result, cutting boards made from some of these woods can be harder to come by and tend to be smaller in size due to the scarcity of large-diameter old trees.
Hinoki cutting boards are water-resistant, and gentle on knife blades, preserving their sharpness for extended periods. Additionally, Hinoki boards showcase beautiful wood grain with a reddish hue especially in the oil-rich heartwood portion and emit a pleasant fragrance. For those with spacious kitchens requiring a relatively large cutting board, Hinoki is the top choice. Oversized, thick cutting boards, reminiscent of those found in sushi restaurants, are predominantly crafted from Hinoki wood.
HInoki cutting board with reddish hue
