Yamaichi – A Japanese Lumberyard – Part 1 – Air Dried Wood is Better

Yamaichi – A Japanese Lumberyard – Part 1 – Air Dried Wood is Better – February 2022

In this video, we visit the Yamaichi Lumberyard where we get a chance to see and learn more about a wood drying process that was developed by the CEO and President of Yamaichi Lumberyard, Mr. Kumagai, in Kagawa, Shikoku, Japan.

There is no secret that naturally dried wood is superior in quality, beauty, and environmental friendliness, however, it takes a long time and a lot of space to provide natural dried wood at a large scale. At Yamaichi in Kagawa, Japan, Mr. Kumagai, developed a system where his company can simulate and expedite natural drying process using a combination of forced warm air and the commonly understood greenhouse effect. In this video, you will get a chance to see his inventions from the initial prototype to the new mass drying system he created.

We originally visited the Yamaichi Lumberyard earlier in the month (February 2022) and immediately liked the place because it is different from most lumberyards that we have been to. Mr. Kumagai has taken on the Yamaichi Lumberyard and has tried to provide Japan with a concept he called Kitokuras which means “Living With Wood.” He believes that once society understands the health benefits of wood the mindset for how the public once to live will change. He has created a ecosystem at the Yamaichi facility where people can visit and escape and learn about wood. One the property is a cafe and restaurant, furniture show room, event spaces, warehouses for public use, a future campsite, water features, and large scale wood processing operation with the included natural dried wood as an option to home builders.

Special Thanks to:
Mr. Kumagai (President and CEO)
The Yamaichi Lumberyard (http://www.yamaichi-mokuzai.com/)
Kitokuras (http://kitokuras.jp/)
#woodworking #japanesewoodworking #carpentrylife
Videographers and Editing:
Kaori / Garrett

Equipment Used:
Olympus OMD EM-1 Mark iii (4k)
Olympus OMD EM-5 Mark iii (4k)
Rode VideoMicro (Audio)
Rode VideoMic NTG (Audio)

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