Some species tend to check much more than others; I have seen Hickory split almost, and entirely, in half, I've also had difficulties with excessive checking in boxed heart Ash, and tend, now, to avoid using either in any structure which will be closed, and, heated.
Other than this, checking occurs. It is a natural function of wood, the releasing of tensions. It is true that the Japanese method of kerfing a stick does help to channel the checking, I saw this first hand on a one month trip to Japan a few years ago. There were also a number of examples where the checks were filled with strips of wood, What comes to mind are two, enormous, Rounded posts which stand at one of the entrances to the Meiji temple in Tokyo.
Ponding also lessens some of the stresses created by drying, and reduces checking. As does a consideration for when the trees were felled, even, How they were felled.
How far you wish to go to eliminate checks is certainly up to you. Traditional crafts, from all heavy timber cultures, have dealt with, and surpassed this issue. In the granduer of those structures left behind for us, checking is not likely to be one of the first features to be seen, or to be commented upon.
