# Bear-scarred cedar transforms into luxury surfboards Kyoto artisans turn damaged timber into high-end urushi-coated surfboards. - **Source:** [design archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/11868f8d-1e20-41ac-bc2d-8c5af32d721b) - **Published:** 2026-09-24 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d4d78a7a-061f-4734-bffb-b9e87fc640bb ## Bear scars as design feature In Keihoku's forests, Asian black bears strip bark from cedar trees, creating kumahagi scars that warp the wood grain. While these marks typically devalue timber for commercial use, the BEARS WOOD PROJECT specifically seeks out such damaged wood. The irregular grain patterns become the defining visual element of their surfboards, with each scar telling a unique story. The project transforms what was once considered defective into a premium product feature. ## Century-old lacquer expertise Takuya Tsutsumi, fourth-generation head of Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi, brings over 100 years of urushi lacquer craftsmanship to the project. Since joining the family business in 2004, he has pushed traditional lacquer techniques beyond conventional applications. For the surfboards, multiple layers of urushi create a glossy finish that highlights rather than hides the bear scars. The lacquer's viscosity and sheen are carefully adjusted based on workshop conditions near the Katsura River. ## Collaborative woodworking process Rodrigo Matsuda, with two decades of wooden surfboard experience, shapes the scarred cedar in Keihoku. The team intentionally incorporates sections where trees have grown unevenly around bear damage. Tsutsumi then applies the urushi finish in their converted century-old farm shed workshop. This partnership merges traditional Japanese woodworking with surfboard craftsmanship, creating boards where the forest's history remains visible beneath the lacquer. ## Solving a forestry challenge Kyoto Prefecture identifies kumahagi as a significant forestry issue, with damaged trees often chipped for fuel or abandoned. The project offers an economic solution by purchasing affected timber at fair prices, creating value from what was previously waste. Foresters agree to cut marked trees specifically for the project. This approach turns an environmental challenge into a sustainable business model that benefits local forestry. ## Historical material meets modern form Keihoku has supplied timber to Kyoto for over a thousand years. The surfboards combine this local cedar with inspiration from Hawaiian alaia boards. Tsutsumi's earlier experiments with lacquered alaia evolved into the siita brand launched in 2023. Each board represents layers of history - from ancient forests to traditional craftsmanship to contemporary water sports - all visible in the finished product. ## Technical challenges of scarred wood Working with bear-damaged cedar presents unique technical hurdles. The irregular grain requires careful shaping to maintain structural integrity while showcasing the scars. Matsuda must account for the wood's warped growth patterns during fabrication. Tsutsumi then applies urushi in ways that enhance rather than obscure these natural imperfections. The result is boards that are both functional watercraft and pieces of natural history. ## Sustainable luxury positioning The project creates high-value products from low-value timber, with each surfboard's price reflecting its artisanal craftsmanship. The bear scars become markers of authenticity rather than defects. This approach challenges conventional notions of material perfection in luxury goods, offering environmentally conscious consumers products with genuine stories of origin and transformation. ## Future of material innovation The BEARS WOOD PROJECT demonstrates how traditional crafts can address contemporary sustainability challenges. By viewing 'damage' as design potential, the team creates products that connect users to natural processes. Their success suggests opportunities for similar approaches with other imperfect materials. The project preserves both forest ecosystems and traditional urushi techniques through innovative applications. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/design/scars-bears-japanese-cedar-surfboards-wood-project-tsutsumi-asakichi-urushi/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._