Japanese Beech

English Name	Japanese beech
Scientific Name	Fagus crenata
Other Names	Yama-buna, Shiro-buna, Siebold's beech
Family	Fagaceae (Beech family)
Origin	Japan — from southern Hokkaido to Kyushu
Appearance	No clear distinction between sapwood and heartwood Color: white to pale pink Often contains dark-colored false heartwood Fine texture with generally straight grain "Tiger stripes" (torafu) — banded patterns appear on radial (quartersawn) surfaces
Wood Properties	Moderate workability; suitable for bending Prone to distortion during drying Low natural durability; difficult to treat with preservatives Slightly heavy and hard
Applications	Furniture, tools, plywood, wooden bases for lacquerware, toys, bentwood products, shoe lasts, daily-use items
Product Examples	Sawn timber, semi-finished products, laminated wood, furniture, building materials