A brand of wooden surfboards and skateboards made from natural materials, “漆板-siita-“. Based in Kyoto City, Keihoku Town, the workshop of “Perspective” (a general incorporated association) is where surfboards made from local wood, Bears Wood (bear-stripped wood), and Urushi wood are shaped. These boards are then finished with Urushi at Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi Inc. The origin of this brand lies in the wooden longboards (Alaia) ridden by ancient Hawaiians. The world’s first “Urushi Alaia,” co-created with world-renowned wood shaper Tom Wegener, stands as a symbol of “creating things that are kind to both people and the Earth,” which we aim to convey through Urushi.

“Creating a 100% natural surfboard with minimal environmental impact”
From this vision, the “Urushi Alaia” was born.

The Alaia is the origin of the surfboard. Made from a single piece of wood, its ride and feel change significantly depending on the shape and the type of wood used.

Urushi not only protects the Alaia from seawater, but its coating also blends harmoniously with water, creating beauty and a riding experience with unmatched speed and sensation.

The brand “漆板-siita-“, which evolved from the Urushi Alaia, is crafted using as many natural materials as possible. It combines the artisan skills that bring out the power of natural materials with the use of local wood.

We aim to expand the use of Urushi and spread the circle of planting Urushi trees. By envisioning the future 15 years from now when these trees have grown, we want to carefully use every part of the tree—the sap, wood, leaves, and even the wax. Urushi trees are light and water-resistant. To further explore the potential of the Urushi tree, we are also challenging ourselves to create surfboards made from Urushi wood.

Concept

Learn from the mountains, create in the village, and play in the sea.

Surf culture, nurtured by the sea, ultimately traces back to the mountains and the satoyama (village forests).

Workshop

In the deep mountains of Kyoto, Keihoku-Yamaguni was a mountain village developed to supply wood for the founding of Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto). The wood from this area was used to build rafts, float down the Katsura River, and support the culture of Kyoto. Siita’s workshop is located along the banks of the Katsura River. We renovated a 100-year-old farm shed into a small, humble workshop. Here, people from all over the world who love the sea and woodworking gather. From this small workshop in the mountain village, Siita weaves its story that connects the sea and the mountains.

Material

Urushi – A Circular Resource from the Jomon Era

Urushi, made from the sap of trees, has been used for over 10,000 years in Japan as a waterproof, rust-resistant coating and adhesive. Trees are planted, and after about 15 years, the sap is harvested, and before the tree’s life ends, new saplings are grown for the next generation. This cycle of creation has supported the culture of the thousand-year-old capital. The clue to “circulation” lies in tradition. While Urushi has a delicate impression, its coating is harder than car paint. Thanks to its unique property of hardening while absorbing moisture, it melds well with human skin. This hydrophilic (water-attracting) coating minimises resistance on the water’s surface and enhances acceleration. Urushi is the perfect material for a surfboard that harmonises with the waves.

Paulownia – Workability and Lightweight

One of the woods used in Siita surfboards is paulownia. Paulownia is one of the lightest woods in the world and has excellent waterproofing properties. It’s easy to work with, making it the perfect material for shaping the complex contours of surfboards. Additionally, it grows quickly, reaching maturity in around 20 years. In the past, it was customary to plant paulownia trees in the garden when a girl was born, and when she married, she would take a chest made from that paulownia wood with her. Like Urushi, paulownia has been cultivated in Japanese life. Paulownia, which blooms brilliant purple flowers in early summer, has long been used as a family crest, making it a tree deeply tied to Japanese culture.

Cedar – Japan’s Hidden Treasure

Another wood used in Siita surfboards is cedar. Its scientific name, Cryptomeria japonica, means “Japan’s hidden treasure.” After the war, cedar was widely planted across Japan to support the country’s recovery. However, since the 1980s, many forests have been left untended, overshadowed by cheaper foreign timber. Keihoku, where Siita’s workshop is located, is no exception. The Japanese forests, which have undergone constant renewal through human involvement, require a cycle of felling, use, and replanting. Cedar is slightly heavier than kiri, making it perfect for creating longboards with a good driving feel. And above all, its wood grain is beautiful.

Siita uses cedar trees that have been damaged by bears and thus lost their value, aiming to create a cycle in the mountains. (Bears Wood Project).

Craftsmanship

Rodrigo Matsuda, the shaper at “Urushi Board -siita-,” is a craftsman who has been creating wooden surfboards for nearly 20 years. Takuya Tsutsumi, an Urushi lacquer artisan, is the fourth generation of the Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi Shop, which has been producing Urushi for over 100 years since the Meiji era.

Rodrigo shapes each board with the philosophy of drawing out the full potential of the material. He carves each piece of wood with the intent of engaging in a dialogue with it, listening to the wood’s voice. Takuya, working with the Urushi, adapts to the changes in temperature and humidity—like a living thing—while applying his expertise to match the characteristics of Urushi on that particular day. When these two crafts come together, their handwork creates a level of quality that cannot be replicated by machines designed for efficiency. At the same time, they embrace the use of new technologies, not avoiding them, but rather incorporating cutting-edge methods if they can surpass the quality of traditional craftsmanship, always striving for the perfect finish.

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