Black-painted cedar boards and Yakisugi “Gen” may appear similar at first glance, but there are clear differences in texture and surface expression.

When black paint is applied directly to ordinary cedar boards, the surface is relatively smooth. As a result, the natural grain texture and shadowing tend to be less pronounced, giving the overall appearance a flatter impression.

In contrast, Yakisugi “Gen” is produced by first charring the cedar boards and then removing the charred layer before applying the paint.
This process leaves the distinctive grain texture created by charring as the base, allowing the wood grain to appear more three-dimensional, with a sense of depth and subtle variation.
The textured surface also improves paint adhesion, resulting in a matte, subdued finish.

Durability varies depending on the installation environment, but as a general guideline, the appearance of Yakisugi “Gen” can be maintained with repainting approximately once every ten years.