Pine embossing machine, pressing out fire patterns. Dope or Nope? This can never be like Shou Sugi Ban, it is a Japanese technique, that dates back to the 18th century, for preserving wood. The process is specifically meant for cedar, but works on many species of wood such as cypress, ash, oak, maple, and of course pine! Although you may consider fire to be an enemy of wood, only causing its degradation, Shou Sugi Ban actually enhances durability and is a natural means of preserving wood without