Leaving out of consideration the gorgeously decorated woodwork of certain temple buildings, the Japanese prefer always to exhibit the natural grain of timber in their wooden constructions. The boarding of Fences is occasionally ornamented by a method of removing the softer parts of the wood to some depth by means of sand, which leaves the harder portion of the grain standing in relief. This produces a very effective marking, similar to that observed in timber which has been long exposed to the weather. Sometimes the worm-eaten and weather-worn planks of old boats are introduced into such constructions, to produce rustic effects.
