LAnd and Forests
From 1603 to 1867, Japan began to start the Tokugawa era with peace and success and was free from war. In this time, Japan’s timber consumption began to rise. People preferred to have wooden buildings than houses built of of stone, brick or mud. Timber was used to supply construction needs for the large and growing population in the peaceful time. The shogun, Ieyasu, and many of the daimyo started to build huge castles and temples to show their power that they held to each other. After a fire broke out they once again used wood to rebuild the buildings that had been distroyed. A number of boats were made of wood to transport the timber that was necessary to rebuild.
After the horrible consequences of the deforestation, Japan started to reduce wood consumption and in the late 17th century, coal replaced wood as a fuel. Lighter construction was used instead of heavy-timbered houses, and if houses needed heating they relied on the sun for heat, even during the winter.