March 11, 2026

Jindai Elm and the Auction — Shizuoka Premium Veneer Exhibition

Visit to the 75th Shizuoka Premium Veneer Exhibition

Recently, I visited the 75th Shizuoka Premium Veneer Exhibition, held in Shizuoka.
This event gathers veneer manufacturers from across Japan, and carefully selected veneer sheets are displayed for inspection and bidding. It is held several times a year and provides a rare opportunity for professionals to encounter exceptional materials.

For those of us who work with veneer every day, this venue is truly a place where we meet the materials that will shape our future work. Looking at each sheet of wood grain, we naturally begin to imagine the pieces that might be created from it.

Changes in the Supply Environment

Over the past year, the situation surrounding veneer supply has changed significantly for us.

Until recently, there were three veneer wholesalers nearby who would kindly supply us with small quantities of veneer sheets. However, two of those companies have closed within the past year.

For a company like ours that specializes in applying veneer, materials are absolutely essential. Without them, we cannot create anything.
For many years we were fortunate to rely on local wholesalers who shared materials with us, but that situation has now begun to change.

The aging of businesses in the industry meant that this shift was somewhat expected. Even so, the change came more suddenly than we had anticipated.

Because of this, we have started attending veneer auctions directly in recent years, where veneer manufacturers from across Japan gather. Going forward, it seems likely that we will be visiting these auctions more frequently.

Essential Materials and Unexpected Encounters

At auctions, we first focus on securing essential species such as oak and ash, which are indispensable for our work.

However, occasionally there are pieces that make you stop and look twice.

This time, one material in particular caught my attention:
Jindai Elm (ancient buried elm) from Hokkaido.

Its color is not the result of staining or finishing.
It is a completely natural color, something that can only be found in Jindai wood.

Encountering this wood at the auction was a special moment, and I am already looking forward to imagining what kind of work might emerge from it.

The Story Behind Jindai Wood

Jindai wood refers to trees that were buried underground or at the bottom of rivers hundreds or even thousands of years ago due to volcanic eruptions, landslides, or other natural events.

Normally, fallen trees would decompose over time through the action of microorganisms and insects. However, Jindai wood was preserved in environments with very little oxygen—such as volcanic ash, soil, or river sediment—which prevented decay and allowed the wood to remain intact.

Over long periods, minerals such as iron from the surrounding soil permeate the wood. This process gives Jindai wood its distinctive deep tones, often ranging from gray to dark brown.

These trees lived for centuries, then spent even more time sleeping beneath the earth before finally being unearthed in the present day.
Just imagining this long journey through time makes the encounter feel extraordinary.

Working Directly With the Material

At this auction, several companies placed bids on the Jindai Elm, but in the end it came into our hands.

We are truly grateful to have the opportunity to transform such a remarkable material into a piece of work through our craft.

Although I am still getting used to the atmosphere and system of veneer auctions, this experience reminded me how important it is to visit these places in person and face the materials directly.

By the way, there was also a stunning piece of ash burl veneer at the exhibition.
We decided not to bid on it this time since we already have some in stock—but it was truly impressive.