Japan
Aromatic hinoki cypress slats that drain fast and fill the room with the calm scent of a Japanese onsen.
Our story
Step out of the bath onto hinoki and the room is suddenly full of it — the clean, woody, quietly resinous scent of a Japanese hot-spring bathhouse. Hinoki cypress has been used for temples, baths and homes for centuries, prized for its straight grain, its warmth and its fragrance. Sen mats are a row of hinoki slats, set with small gaps so water drains straight through and the wood dries quickly, staying smooth and smelling of the forest.
Where it comes from
Aromatic hinoki cypress slats that drain fast and smell of a Japanese onsen.
Each mat is made from straight-grained hinoki cypress, milled into even slats and set on two crossbars with small gaps between them. The wood is finished only with a light oil, so the natural scent comes through. It is made to dry quickly and last.
Lay it beside the bath or shower and step on with wet feet — water falls through the gaps, so the surface stays dry and comfortable. Rinse it occasionally and stand it on edge to air.
Rinse it now and then and stand it on edge to air. Occasionally a light rub with a food-safe oil keeps the grain looking rich. No harsh cleaners are needed.
Very — the wood is smooth and warm to the touch, and because water drains through the gaps, the surface stays dry underfoot rather than slick.
Hinoki is a stable, naturally water-resistant wood, and the slatted design lets it dry evenly. Keep it well-ventilated and out of constant standing water and it will serve for a long time.
The gaps between the slats let water drain straight through, so the mat dries quickly and never sits in a pool. That keeps the wood smooth, comfortable and long-lasting.
Yes. The wood itself carries the fragrance, so it stays with the mat for years. Rinsing it occasionally and letting it dry brings the scent back to its freshest.
Hinoki is a Japanese cypress, prized for centuries for its straight grain, its strength and its clean, woody, resinous scent. It is the wood used for temples, baths and fine homes.
Notes from Sen — new pieces and the people who make them. No noise.
