Since ancient times, *Nanmu* has ranked first among China's four most prized timber species. Belonging to the Phoebe genus within the Lauraceae family, it is a species endemic to China, primarily found in regions such as Sichuan, Guizhou, and Hubei. Its grain exhibits a shimmering, golden-thread luster when exposed to light, earning it the name *Jinsi Nan* ("Golden-silk Wood").

It has been used in architecture and the crafting of traditional musical instruments since the Han and Tang dynasties. During the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court conducted large-scale logging of Nanmu in Sichuan for use in palace beams, pillars, and mausoleums; large timbers were reserved exclusively for the imperial family, and unauthorized use by commoners was strictly prohibited. Due to its extremely slow maturation, large-sized timber has become increasingly rare and precious.