Why is Tochigi called "Japanese figured wood"?

What is Tochi?

About Gifu Prefecture Tochigi Wood

Horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata) is a broadleaf tree native to Japan.
It has long been used as a material for furniture, lacquerware, and sculptures.

Among them, the chestnuts from Gifu Prefecture are

• Beautiful curly grain

• Spalted pattern

• Soft luster

Known for having
In recent years, it has also been attracting attention as a tonewood for guitars.

Why is Tochigi so attractive?

Tochigi is not just plain wood.

The wavy grain emerges when exposed to light.
The color changes from cream to pale gold.
And it has a soft and warm texture.

Especially for curly Tochigi of 5A or above,
It is gaining recognition overseas as "Japanese Curly Wood."

About scarcity

The amount of large-diameter, high-quality timber is decreasing year by year.

• There are only a limited number of materials available that can produce the width of the instrument top.

• 5A+ Master Grade is extremely rare

• Strong Spalted + Curly individuals are even more limited

Good grain wood is one of a kind.

Material characteristics

• Milky white to pale gold

• Curly/Shrunk/Spalted

• Soft and easy to process

• Easy to dry and handle

Specific gravity: approx. 0.50-0.55

Acoustic characteristics

Tochigi is:

• Soft and warm tones

• Not too bright, calm sound

• Middle thickness

As a drop-top material,
It tends to have a softer tone than maple.

About drying

Oak is a wood that dries relatively easily.

Thickness 20-30mm → Approx. 2 months. Thicker materials are recommended for longer-term stability.

Recommended use

• electric guitar drop top

• Base Top

• Furniture tops

• knife handle