ABOUT IKONIH
●IKONIH’S PHILOSOPHY
IKONIH wants children to experience the feel of real wood
during their developmental years. We also want to leave a
legacy of forests and nature for future generations. IKONIH
was born from the ideals of professionals experienced in
working with wood for over half a century. Because we manage
forests and handle everything from logging, planting,
processing, and sales, we believe that we can deliver quality
safe toys for children.
Cut, use, and replant — our philosophy ensures a green future
for future generations.
Please enjoy IKONIH PRODUCTS ― toys for a sustainable future.
●THE POWER OF HINOKI
In addition to being a fragrant wood, hinoki is known to have a deodorizing effect that can mask odors, and absorb formaldehyde.
Also, when hinoki powder, iron powder, and polypropylene powder were put in small vials and inoculated with influenza virus, the vials containing hinoki powder were found to have inactivated the influenza virus to about ¼ the level of the other vials.
Note: Hinoki pollen and hinoki wood resin are different substances. People who suffer from hinoki pollen allergy do not have allergic reactions to hinoki wood resin. However, if you do have an allergic reaction to any resin component, please discontinue use and consult your doctor.
●A SHORT HISTORY OF HINOKI
The Japanese Cypress (Hinoki) is a native Japanese tree that
has long been integral to Japanese life. Hinoki is different
from other trees in that its cells are finer and smoother than
other tree species. More than 1300 years ago, the Nihon Shoki
(Chronicles of Ancient Japan) stated that “hinoki should be
used in the construction of imperial palaces” and we know that
hinoki was used in the construction of Horyuji temple, the
oldest wooden structure in the world. In fact, as time passes,
the strength of hinoki wood increases, which means that
buildings and other objects made from hinoki can last for a
long time, perhaps even hundreds of years.
●THE FRAGRANCE OF HINOKI
Hinoki wood has a distinctive fragrance because it contains a
substance called “phytoncide.” Compared to other trees, this
high concentration of phytoncide, not only increases fragrance
but also has the effect of protecting wooden buildings from
harmful microorganisms and insects.
IKONIH is supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
●FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Hinoki trees are carefully harvested by IKONIH from IKONIH
managed forests.
In the years directly after the war, Japan’s forests were left
largely unmanaged. In these unmanaged forests, landslides and
other damage due to heavy rain occurred. It has become
increasingly necessary to manage forests carefully. Managed
culling of trees and proper use of them encourages the
conditions for new trees to grow.
Through IKONIH’s management efforts, healthy soil and healthy
forests are produced, creating conditions for trees to grow in
abundance for future generations.
●MOKU-IKU
Moku-iku or ‘wood education’ is a term born in Hokkaido in
2004. Moku-iku was officially recognized by the Japanese
cabinet in the “Basic Plan for Forestry” in 2006. Though there
are many interpretations of the term, IKONIH believes that its
contribution to moku-iku is to promote understanding of how to
use trees in a sustainable fashion.
By using IKONIH wood products, you gain an understanding of
how to use things with care. In addition, by knowing about the
circumstances of Japan’s mountain forests in the background of
toy production, you also understand how you are intimately
connected to nature. It is our hope that this knowledge of
‘moku-iku’ will be passed on from generation to generation far
into the future.
Surrounded by trees, nurtured by trees.
This endless chain creates the lives of the future.