Japanese Hitoki wood was as much sought after soundboard material for stringed instruments over the centuries. The closest thing we have for straightness of grain and evenness of difference between spring summer winter fall spacing between rings. chet atkins in the late 60's early 70's picked up a de Gama classical guitar made in Japan to Hitoki soundboard precision but of American Cypress, an equally straight grained wood. He was so impressed with the sound he bought it and played it as part of a television concert. I figured if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me. 44 years later I am still playing it.the faceboard is a little soft sustained a few dings in international travel but it has sustained the humidity and heat of Singapore and American air conditioning without damage. I am putting a new set of stings on it D'Agg. med. tension. which are still too bright or stiff to cause reberb in all the cross length radial tubes between the rings the actual reverberating "soundboard". I think I am going back to Hamach's low tension. After wound and tuned the string needs to have about 1/2 in flex when pulled straight up from the fret nearest the soundboard (90 deg angle) with thumb and forefinger gently. the guitar cost $360.00 in 1968. I am 60 and have never had a problem. and dropped the capo and slide years ago