Composite wood was invented in 1973 by Nishibori Sadao, an importer in tropical timber. Over 43 years ago he found his inspiration on a trip through the forests of Indonesia, where he had seen at first hand the consequences of widespread and uncontrolled deforestation. For a cultured and educated Japanese gentleman, who was raised in the Shinto tradition with a profound respect for nature, it was a shock. Nishibori Sadao then totally dedicated himself to the invention of a tropical wood substitute, more respectful of the environment: the wood composite.