#13
relaxing / well-being / keeping / recycling
Aomori Hiba
Cul de Sac
MEGURO, Tokyo, Japan
- hiba
- hiba wood oil: 12ml
- hiba chip: 650g
the product:
Aomori Hiba (member of the cypress family) is deemed as one of the three most beautiful forests in Japan together with Kiso Hinoki (cypress) and Akita Sugi (cedar).
Most of the natural Aomori Hiba grows in a national forest (a forest protected and managed by the Japanese government), and the amount of felling is severely restricted. It takes 200 years for Aomori Hiba to grow 50cm in diameter and 300 years to grow 1m, which is three times longer than cedar. The Aomori Hiba that is available to us today is the same Aomori Hiba that was grown 200 years ago, before the Edo period. Aomori Hiba, which has grown for many years, is rich in Hinokitiol and Beta-Drublin, both of which are more concentrated in Aomori Hiba than in Hinoki. Trees that contain these two ingredients, which have many scientifically proven benefits such as insect repellency and antibacterial properties, are very rare in the world. insect repellent:
Use a small bag of chips as an insect repellent as well as an air freshener in wardrobes.
Dilute the essential oil in water and use it as an insect repellent spray.
antibacterial:
Since it is resistant to moisture and bacteria, it is widely used as an important cultural property of Japan as well as building materials including the foundations and pillars of houses, chests of drawers, cutting boards, and bath products.
deodorant:
Put a small bag of chips inside your shoes to eliminate odours.
relax:
The essential oil extracted from Aomori Hiba can be diluted in water and used as an air freshener or add 1 or 2 drops to your bath and enjoy fresh forest scent.
Soak Hiba chips in water, drain thoroughly and place in a bowl to create a delicately scented humidifier.
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the maker:
Tucked away in a back alley in Nakameguro, Tokyo, Cul de Sac Japan was created Mineko Muraguchi, as a spin-off to her apparel store called Cul de Sac, which opened in 2011.
Ms. Muraguchi was raised by her father who became a lumber dealer due to his fascination with Aomori Hiba. With a desire to share the beauty of Aomori Hiba with as many people as possible, she opened her own Aomori Hiba brand, Cul de Sac Japan, in 2015. The name of the store, Cul de Sac, derived from the French/English word “cul-de-sac”, signifies the strong attachment to the back alley where the shop and brand were born. Cul de Sac Japan mainly uses the heartwood of Aomori Hiba for its products.
The inner part of the tree called “akami" (meaning “red flesh") is darker in colour than the outer part and contains more Hinokitiol and Beta-Drublin.
In addition to Aomori Hiba wood, Cul de Sac Japan also develop and sell products that make use of the benefits of the essential oil extracted from Hiba that has grown over many years.
The waste and scrap wood from the finishing process are also valuable natural materials because they contain the rich components of trees that have grown over hundreds of years. Rather than wasting these precious resources, Cul de Sac Japan uses them to create products that allow you to enjoy make the blessings of nature.
In 2021, the company launched a fabric line using Filhiba®, a fibre that retains the deodorising and antibacterial properties of Aomori Hiba. At the store near Shōin Jinja-mae Station, a large solid wood with beautiful grain of Aomori Hiba is available for purchase in addition to the existing products. There is also a workshop next door where you can see how the products are made.
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