Birdseye Maple: Small Eyes within the Grain
Wood Dictionary
Birdseye maple has small eye-like patterns scattered across the wood surface. Known in Japanese as chōganmoku, or bird's-eye figure, it offers a different appeal from ordinary grain that emphasizes flowing lines. Look beyond the number of eyes to their size, spacing and the grain around them. Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
The photographs are examples of the color and grain associated with each wood or figure. Every piece of natural wood is different; the sheet you receive will not have exactly the same color or grain as the photographs.
Names and identification
- Trade and English names
- Birdseye maple MORI KOUGEI: Birdseye maple A4 veneer sheet / Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
- Meaning of the name
- Maple with small, swirling bird's-eye figure that resembles the eyes of birds Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
- Representative species
- Sugar maple, Acer saccharum. Birdseye is a figure name, not an individual species identification of the timber sold. USDA Wood Handbook: Hard Maple and Soft Maple, p. 1–7 / Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
- Family and genus
- Genus Acer, family Sapindaceae Kew Plants of the World Online: Acer saccharum
Tiny changes in grain create the dotted pattern
Bird's-eye figure forms where local swirls in the grain appear in section like small birds' eyes. The dots are neither added to the wood nor mechanically spaced. Their size and distribution vary, and sparse and dense areas may occur on the same surface. Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
Birdseye is the name of a figure, not a species. It also occurs in hard maple, the timber group that includes sugar maple. Hard maple and birdseye maple are not mutually exclusive terms: one describes a timber category, the other a pattern. USDA Wood Handbook: Hard Maple and Soft Maple, p. 1–7
Beautiful figure is also a subject of research
A 2020 paper by researchers at Michigan Technological University examined sugar maple with different intensities of bird's-eye figure. Familiar as a decorative material, figured wood is also studied to understand its structure and properties. Some aspects of how the figure develops remain unresolved, and it cannot be fully explained by a single cause. Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
Its rich pattern can be enjoyed without a fixed claim about how often it occurs or a particular legend about its origin. Watching how the tiny eyes are scattered within the grain reveals the individuality of sheets sharing the same name.
For a broad face or a small accent
Distinctively figured hard maple has been used in furniture and decorative objects. An A4 veneer sheet can show a broad area on a small box lid or be cut into parts for wood inlay. In a narrow strip, the eyes retained will depend on the cutting position, adding another consideration to the layout. USDA Wood Handbook: Hard Maple and Soft Maple, p. 1–7 / MORI KOUGEI: Birdseye maple A4 veneer sheet
Where curly figure shows a succession of waves, birdseye emphasizes individual eyes and the grain flowing around them. Rather than asking which is superior, look for the character that suits the shape of the work and its combination with other materials. Bal et al. (2020): Research on figured maple
MORI KOUGEI's birdseye maple
The A4 sheet measures 210 × 297 mm and is approximately 0.25 mm thick. It is a figured surface material made from natural wood veneer backed with industrial washi paper. Unlike a solid board, its appearance also depends on the substrate and finish. Begin with a small test piece, and consult the product page for application details and uses. MORI KOUGEI: Birdseye maple A4 veneer sheet
Your sheet will not have the same number or arrangement of eyes as the photograph. Examine the sheet in front of you and place the most effective areas of pattern where they can become a feature of the work. That approach suits natural figure. MORI KOUGEI: Birdseye maple A4 veneer sheet
View birdseye maple A4 sheets ↗
Explore related woods
This article draws on publicly available sources from Japan and abroad, with AI used to support research and organization.