Brazilian Rosewood: Black Stripes across Rich Brown Tones
WOOD DICTIONARY
Black stripes running through brown tones make Brazilian rosewood well known for its combination of color and line. Rather than grouping everything under the shared name “rosewood,” this article looks at the general characteristics associated with this particular timber.
International delivery
For delivery outside Japan, please contact MORI KOUGEI before placing your order. Shipping availability depends on the material’s species and origin, the destination, and any permits or certificates required. Any required permits or certificates must be arranged before dispatch. Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) is listed in CITES Appendix I. International commercial trade is generally prohibited, with limited documented exceptions. Overseas enquiries require individual review; international delivery is not guaranteed. USDA APHIS: CITES Timber Species Manual
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 basic facts
- Common and scientific names
- Brazilian rosewood／Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemão ex Benth. Kew Dalbergia nigra / USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1
- Family and native range
- Fabaceae (legume family) / Brazil Kew Dalbergia nigra
- Other name
- Jacaranda, as a timber name USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1
- MORI KOUGEI sheet
- A4 (210 × 297 mm), approximately 0.25 mm thick, backed with industrial washi paper MORI KOUGEI: A4 Veneer Sheet Product Information
A different species from Indian rosewood
The tree generally called Brazilian rosewood is Dalbergia nigra in the legume family. It belongs to the same genus as Indian rosewood, Dalbergia latifolia, but is a different species. Kew gives Brazil as the native range of D. nigra. The scientific name and distribution here are general information associated with the name; they do not establish when our stock was imported or document its provenance. Kew Dalbergia nigra / USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1
Black lines across layers of color
USDA timber references describe heartwood ranging through brown, red, and purple tones, marked by prominent, irregular black stripes. The boundary with the white sapwood is also distinct. Rather than viewing it as a single color, consider three elements: the background tone, the black lines, and their spacing. Together they help explain the wood’s character. USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1
One way to use the pattern is to avoid fixing the project’s shape too early and instead place templates over the usable area. A broad curving line at the center gives a different composition from a fine line beside an edge. Check the face and back and the intended orientation before laying out the cuts, so you do not lose a detail you wanted to keep.
Its use as decorative veneer
General timber references describe uses including face veneers for decorative plywood and decorative small objects. Making use of a surface pattern is not limited to thick solid boards. At the same time, figures for the weight and hardness of timber are not performance values for a thin, paper-backed sheet. USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1 / MORI KOUGEI: A4 Veneer Sheet Product Information
Choosing and preparing an A4 sheet
Our A4 product is approximately 0.25 mm thick, combining natural wood veneer with industrial washi paper. It is intended to add the wood’s character to a substrate, for example on furniture edges, in repairs or resurfacing of flat wooden areas, and in marquetry. Select the quantity not just by dimensions but also by the area of pattern that will remain visible. Linear traces from slicing, known as knife marks, may be present. If these concern you, consult the product page’s guidance on light sanding. MORI KOUGEI: A4 Veneer Sheet Product Information
Product photographs are references for choosing the material, not a promise to supply identical stripes. Test bonding and coating with an offcut on the same substrate before proceeding. If you plan to take the wood overseas or export it, check the required procedures in advance through resources such as Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry guidance on CITES. MORI KOUGEI: A4 Veneer Sheet Product Information / Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: FAQ on Imports and Exports of CITES-Regulated Goods
For international orders, please contact us before ordering. Include the material name, quantity and destination in your message.
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Explore related woods
This article draws on publicly available sources from Japan and abroad, with AI used to support research and organization.
Sources
- MORI KOUGEI: A4 Veneer Sheet Product Information
- Kew Dalbergia nigra
- USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1
- Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: FAQ on Imports and Exports of CITES-Regulated Goods