From Barbecues to Carbon Materials, Japanese Sumi has the Power to Change the World
Japan is a largely mountainous country, and with its abundant rainfall, most of those mountains are covered in forests. Against this backdrop, it is no wonder that the Japanese people have a long and rich history of utilizing and innovating with trees. From grand historical architecture to beautiful traditional handicrafts, there are many well-known examples of the use of wood in Japanese culture. But today we are going to look at a more unassuming use of wood: sumi.
Japan is largely made up of forest-covered mountains.
Sumi is the Japanese word for carbonized materials, such as charcoal made from trees. With such varied uses as cooking, heating, crafts, and farming, sumi has played an important role in Japan, both culturally and technologically. By looking at the history, varieties, uses, and latest technological advances of sumi in Japan, we may come up with new ideas and discoveries!
The Evolution of Sumi
The history of sumi in Japan goes back to ancient times, with evidence of it being used as far back as the Yayoi period (about 300 BC). Wood charcoal has properties that make it excellent for use as a fuel. It can maintain a steady heat for long periods of time, making it perfect for cooking and indoor heating. For these reasons, wood charcoal production flourished, and it soon became an indispensable part of the lives of Japanese aristocrats and samurai. Over time, skilled tradesmen innovated and improved their craft, producing ever higher quality charcoal.
Various Uses of Sumi in Japan
Made from the ubamegashi oak tree and commonly used in yakitori (grilled chicken) and other forms of barbecue, binchotan is a popular type of sumi that goes back centuries in Japan. It is characterized by the metallic sound it makes when struck, and by its ability to maintain a high temperature for long periods while giving off minimal smoke. Binchotan also has other uses besides cooking. Like bamboo charcoal, binchotan has air-purifying, deodorizing, and humidity-regulating properties. It can also be used to make delicious water, as it can absorb fine impurities, and its hardness prevents it from dissolving when submerged.
Binchotan is a type of sumi made from the ubamegashi oak tree.
Sumi is also used in gardening and agriculture. Kuntan, a charcoal made from discarded rice husks, has long been popular among farmers in Japan, but it has been gaining attention lately for its environmental benefits. Kuntan can help improve soil by boosting drainage and breathability, increasing microorganisms, and neutralizing acidity. And because it is natural, makes use of waste materials, and has even been shown to be effective in the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere, it is a great tool for environmentally friendly farming.
Left: At a rice field in Niigata, kuntan helps trap CO2
in the soil. (Photo courtesy of Ajikata Farm Co., Ltd.)
Right: Kuntan also helps improve the soil in greenhouses where tomatoes,
strawberries, and other delicious produce is grown.
Top: At a rice field in Niigata, kuntan helps trap CO2
in the soil. (Photo courtesy of Ajikata Farm Co., Ltd.)
Bottom: Kuntan also helps improve the soil in greenhouses where tomatoes,
strawberries, and other delicious produce is grown.
Sumi has also seen a recent surge in interest in the beauty and health industries. Facial and body soaps and even shampoos made with sumi are popular in Japan. In addition to having a natural deodorizing effect, sumi is thought to cleanse the skin of excess oil and contaminants due to its absorption and purification qualities.
Soaps made with sumi have a natural deodorizing effect. (Photo courtesy of Taketora)
The Future of Sumi: Carbon Fiber Materials
Another form of sumi that has come to play an essential role in our modern lives is carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is used in a wide variety of products where strength-to-weight ratio is important, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and bicycles. Japanese scientists were instrumental in the development of carbon fiber technology in the 1960s, and Japan continues to play a leading role in the field to this day.
One area in which Japanese carbon fiber technology is playing an important role is in the fight against climate change. Because it is both lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion, carbon fiber is used for wind turbine blades, which help generate renewable energy. They are also the material of choice for many airplane parts, where reduced weight results in less fuel required for each flight, which in turn results in lower CO2 emissions.
Left: A bobbin of carbon fiber yarn made from
polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The process of turning polyacrylonitrile into
carbon fiber was discovered in Japan in the 1960s. (Photo courtesy of
Toray Industries, Inc.)
Middle: Carbon fiber yarn is woven into a fabric. (Photo courtesy of
Toray Industries, Inc.)
Right: Carbon fiber fabric is molded into extremely lightweight and
durable aircraft parts. (Photo courtesy of Toray Industries, Inc.)
Top: A bobbin of carbon fiber yarn made from
polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The process of turning polyacrylonitrile into
carbon fiber was discovered in Japan in the 1960s. (Photo courtesy of
Toray Industries, Inc.)
Middle: Carbon fiber yarn is woven into a fabric. (Photo courtesy of
Toray Industries, Inc.)
Bottom: Carbon fiber fabric is molded into extremely lightweight and
durable aircraft parts. (Photo courtesy of Toray Industries, Inc.)
One Japanese aircraft parts manufacturing company is advancing the application of recycled materials in carbon fiber technology. They are developing ways to recover carbon fibers from manufacturing waste, which would otherwise be discarded, and reuse them in new carbon materials. As these new technologies continue to improve, the potential environmental benefits of carbon fiber materials will expand.
This commercial airplane component is light enough to be easily lifted by one person despite its massive size. Parts of this size are only possible thanks to the latest advancements in Japanese carbon fiber technology. (Photo courtesy of JAMCO Corporation)
The field of carbon materials is still evolving as scientists investigate the possibilities of carbon nanotubes. Research is being done on its potential uses in energy storage, electronics, air and water filtration, medical devices, and more.
The Profound Possibilities of Sumi
From ancient times to the modern era, sumi has played a wide variety of important roles in our lives. Even now new discoveries are being made, and the types and uses of sumi will surely continue to evolve. Though it may seem simple and unassuming, sumi holds great potential for humanity, and we can expect it to continue to enrich our lives well into the future.