japanese ofuro bathtubs, tatami, shoji screens, hot tub spa

As promised, here below is the balance sheet for the activity of relocating japanese historic homes.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/191R52WReEc7nonFc3QVEQIuDnEvK64ipfQ4XMKdO9G8/edit?usp=sharing

I did not make the final decision but I think the new activity will be called Japanese Historic Homes and will have a dedicated homepage.

I was (wisely!) advised that if I want to produce concrete results, I should appeal to those interested in owning a japanese home rather than just hoping to find philanthropists with deep pockets and the mission of preserving for posterity as many buildings and environments of value as possible...

"I love your idea of establishing a network to try and preserve more heritage buildings. As far as naming goes I would shy away from "save-japan.org" as this sounds like it could be connected to Fukushima or some other existing cause.
I personally think you need to appeal to those folks who wish to OWN a heritage Japanese home rather than those that wish to SAVE a heritage home, as the former has the means (money) to buy.
Something like Japan-Historic-Homes.org may work. This may facilitate easy web searches. "Heritage" is arguably a more correct word to use but I think some folks may get this confused with modern homes which have a "Heritage style". "Historic" (or
"Historical") does sound a bit dry and perhaps over-important, but everyone who looks at the site name will conclude that you mean old, beautiful homes of significance. Anyway, this is just a first effort. I would be very happy to help you further in any way I can."

So please be in touch and let me know your opinion as well!

All the Best//

iacopo

We are sad to see it go but are looking forward to seeing it rebuilt in full glory in Chiba prefecture next year.
It is a big shock for the building but imagine it is like a life saving surgery.
It is painful but all dismantling work was done gently to preserve all the parts.
I cannot imagine this jewel left prey of the bulldozers...

Please find the full photo reportage here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.987206494691338.1073741833.168006413278021&type=3

Let me publish here the exchange of correspondence I had with a previous customer.
The mail came like a bolt from the blue:

Customer:
> hi
> how is it possible that you sell such expensive high quality baths and
> live in a high tech environment...but your website is so unpractical and
> ugly?
> it stops me from really searching, thats not good pr!
> greetz
> (signature)
> fan of wooden baths
> owner of one.

---

Dear (customer),

Thank you for your honest comment.
I think you are 100% right.
Actually I am in the process of renovating the HP but it is taking more
time than anticipated.

Please bear with us one more month!

Best//

Bartok design Japan Co.
Manager: Iacopo Torrini
----------------------------
e-mail: japan@bartokdesign.com
tel: +81-78-262-6811
fax: +81-78-262-7151
cell.: +81-90-8205-1200
----------------------------

---

ok, accepted!

Sorry for the direct comment, I am Dutch and people from Holland are known for their directness. The difference with southern countries is already big, so you can imagine how it is in Japan

I will visit Japan within 1-2 years, I am interested in japanese woodworkingskills.
Is your business to be visited? Would be nice.

I will be mainly in Nasu (Tochigi) but who knows...
When my current bath will be rotten I defenitely want another ofuro, because it ads a lot of well beinig to my life, using such a bath.

greetings

(signature)

---

Well I must apologize with all of you as well for the old and non-smartphone optimized HP but, as I said above, YES! the site is under renovation.
It will come also with enhanced web-shop functions and I plan to offer you a heftier slice of Japan, including "karakami" ricepaper, "urushi" lacquer and more!
O tanoshimi-ni ~~

Meanwhile please feel free to send me your bolts... Any comment is appreciated especially if it is helping me improving the service.

All the Best//

iacopo torrini

Sorry for the belated update: I think many of you are in trepidation for the destiny of the tea house in Fujisawa.

Well, 1/27 was an incredible day, I think there are all the ingredients for a suspense movie.
The crowdfunding campaign I started on 1/23 at http://igg.me/at/teahouse produced many contacts.

On 1/27 I went to Tokyo with a 10,000 mhA spare battery plugged in my phone and kept sending mails and calls for help.
I was messaging previous clients while riding the shinkansen and calling ikebana associations or busy stock brokers while waiting to transfer to the next train.
I called dozens of people and sent hundreds of emails.

Nonetheless I arrived to the meeting on site with empty hands.
Two people from the forwarding company were already there discussing details about the street width with the contractor.
The real estate agent was preparing the documents and memorandums to be signed while I was answering the cheerful and excited questions of the owners.
Where is the building going? When is it going to be rebuilt? Can we go visit?
I even got the promise from the old owner she would visit the new location of the house and offer a tea ceremony to all the presents...

But there was only one problem.
Time was up and I had not a clear commitment for taking over the house.
I did not give up until the last moment but after inflating everybody`s hopes, I was going to hurt them even more with the harsh reality, sooner or later.
My face was smiling but there was a deep cloud of uncertainty in my heart.
I received many mails of encouragement:
"Even if you failed this time, the effort and financial exposure would not had been a vain effort. This case contributed to raise awareness about the problem and spread the seeds of more consideration for the items of value we are inheriting from the past."

I know, you will think I am reckless but there is only one thing that helped me not to panic: Using the "reverse gear" was just not an option on the table.
Like those simple remote controlled car toys that can only go straight or turn left and right to avoid obstacles the only option I had was to keep looking forward for the end of the tunnel.

We started to move out the left over furniture to the living room of a relative living next door while the carpenter started to remove some planks from the ceiling to see if it could be dismantled safely. Some old newspapers started to come out from under the tatamis.

And yes! the sunshine come at 16:00. I received a call from Hamish Murphy, an australian gentlemen, introduced to me by Mr. D. from Tokyo who had been introduced to me by Mr. L. from the UK.
Hamish has been living in Japan for 29 years (if I remember correctly) and is going to start a Permaculture site in Kamogawa, Chiba prefecture.
If you do not know what permaculture is, I recommend to research it on wikipedia. It is is a beautiful concept and practical philosophy.

As I was in Yokohama only for that day, Hamish decided to come right away to see the house and reached at around 18:00.
All the workers already went away and after showing him the house, we sat in the smallest tea-room with the owner and her son.
The owner offered us a matcha-tea - by coincidence there were also just 2 manju dumplings left from the afternoon.
It was such an emotionally intense atmosphere, looking at the garden in the dark out of the window and the old lady noted that this was "the last tea served in the tea-room."

Then, after 3 days of thorough consideration, Hamish gave me the GO sign to take my place in the contract and carry on the demolition and reconstruction project!
I am SOOO happy for him, for the house, for the owner. AMAZING.

A sukiya-zukuri house is a traditional construction but is light weight and more energy efficient compared to a massive "kominka".
Permaculture gives importance to ecological materials as much as the energy efficiency and this tea house represent a good balance of the two aspects (ecology and high performance).
Hamish is considering to use the tea-house as a guest house in the Permaculture project. "As a guest house it would be a beautiful gateway into a world of recycling and self-sustaining systems." he says.
He is considering rebuilding the walls with natural clay mixed with momigara (grain chaffs), restoring not only the shape but also the authentic soul of the building.

Since the plan of the house will be modified, he is not going to reuse the roof tiles but the great news is that he is going to transplant as many trees as possible to Chiba prefecture!
All the stones and accessories in the garden and even the bamboo fence (!) are going to be transferred and reused as well.

In the end I think this solution will be great also for the owner. She will be able to visit the house easily and maybe also help with the design of the garden that she is so skilled at.
And I am looking forward to the "first tea served in the tea-room" after the reconstruction!

The house will be probably rebuilt in 2017 and I will keep you informed.
Meanwhile, visit the links below for additional pictures.
http://igg.me/at/teahouse
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.975630152515639.1073741832.168006413278021&type=3

Thank you everybody for your great support, encouragement and advice.

Feel free to add your comments here below. All the Best!

It is now 5:56 am in japan and I am giving up the campaign to save (and enjoy!) the sukiya-zukuri tea house in Fujisawa.

In 3 days of indiegogo campaign I received: 2 Contributions, 498 Visits, 135 Referrals.

http://igg.me/at/teahouse

I know that many of you sent hundreds of mails to spread the voice, and I commend you for all your advice and help.
I converted to cash my life insurance policy to have the funds to sign the contract tomorrow but the there is not a solid option to bring the project to completion.

The house will not be touched until 2/10 but we will not have time to organize the meetings required and to meet the deadline offered by the new ownership.
They may accept a lump sum to buy some time but of course there is no guarantee they would consider such an option alltogether.
Besided, if I could not realize the project with so many interested and proactive prospects (like this time), it is not likely that 13 days will change the final result.

Time is running out and I have to take the hard decision.
There is no point to bring all the parties to the meeting tomorrow so I will call everybody (the contractor, the new owner, the old owner, the shipping company) at 12:00 JST.

Said this, my mind is repeating an italian saying: "la speranza e` l`ultima a morire"
(lit. translation: hope is the last to die)

If you have one more idea, one more contact to propose this project, please do it now.
The short link to the campaign is:

http://igg.me/at/teahouse

Thank you for everything!

I created a crowd-funding campaign for the project of the relocation of the tea-house.
I only have 3 days to fund it before the signing of the contract.
Even if I manage to buy some time when I meet the different parties on 1/27, in any case the dismantling should start immediately if we want to save the sukiya-tsukuri house from the bulldozers.
Please check this link and spread the voice!
http://igg.me/at/teahouse

All the Best//

iacopo torrini

I hope you had a great start of 2016.

Please note:
1) starting new homepage dedicated to relocation projects:
Sorry, I am a little behind. It has been very busy and I am giving priority to the matching for the tea house since we do not have much time.
I will keep you posted. I am still in doubt about the naming of the new activity. I am undecided between "re-heritage.org" and "save-japan.org"
I would be grateful to hear your opinion once again.

2) temple: the owner/priest is now busy alienating another property and it is better not to mix the two topics as she could get confused. The religious association will cease to exist around mid of january. The closing for the other property will be at the end of february so I am planning to proceed with the site inspection and quotation in the beginning of march 2016.

3) tea house: I uploaded some pictures and videos.
◆outside
◆inside
Video (here below)

Please let me know if you are interested in adopting the tea house.
Demolition work must start at the end of january.

All the Best//

iacopo torrini

Here is the quotation for the demolition.
I added below in red the costs which are not included in the above.

Here is a schematic plan of the building.

click here for an aerial view of the site

Please refer to the previous entries on this topic for more details.
Contact me asap if interested because I will will not be able to commit to the demolition company without an official backing.

contact iacopo -> japanbartokdesign.com

From Japan, there are high chances that I am preceding you in the new year...
I hope that 2016 will be prosperous and serene for you and your family!

am starting the year with a clear objective and am very energized because we have the chance to save a japanese old traditional building.

The owner of the tea-house near Enoshima approved my plan but we need to act quickly.
I plan to appoint the entity which will adopt the building during the first week of january.

The deadline is 1/7 so please contact me promptly if interested.

The total cost of the demolition and reconstruction is estimated in about 35 million yen (300,000 USD) + reimbursable expenses.

Here below is the entry with the details if you missed it.

http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/0-blog_news/last_rush_to_save_the_fujisawa.php

What excites me is that I feel that this project may become the first step to rebuild a new sensibility around traditional handicrafts and heritage buildings in japan (like a boomerang effect).
I think we can leverage this first example to produce a larger impact and a positive change in the common sense of japanese real estate and the dominating scrap and build practices.
This may sound as a dream but sometimes dreams come true.
And if there is a time to ... go for your dreams is today!
We leave the old year for a shiny, immaculate 2016 and I hope I will be able to share with you the path, the emotions and the successes of a wonderful year!

All the Best!

iacopo torrini

This is an update about the tea-house relocation project.
The land will be sold at the end of january and the new owner is planning to demolish the building and garden.

january - 1st week: I will go on site to meet the old owner and new owner. (I will also take detailed pictures and measurements of the building) january - 2nd week: I will need the decision and commitment from the perspective foster-owner january - 3rd week: we will start demolition. (I am already in touch with two specialized companies)

COST: from 4 to 6 million yen (36,000 USD ~ 50,000 USD)
Of course the more detailed is the demolition (to reuse also roof riles, flooring planks, ceiling framing etc.) the higher the demolition cost. Anyway this will result in a more original building and enable savings in the construction phase.

The demolition will take about 4 weeks and I am planning to obtain the approval from the new owner by convincing him he will save the money and time for the demolition anyway.

to avoid storage fees, I am planning to load all the material directly on containers so we would be ready for shipping as soon as end of february. Ocean freight takes about 1-2 months according to the destination. I think one 40' container should be enough but considering also items from the garden and to stay on the safe side, I am computing 2 containers, drayage and devanning. COST: 2 million yen (17,000 USD)

Construction would take about 5 months (if it was done in japan). According to local legislations / construction methods / availability of manpower and materials it may take more.

The company doing the demolition is also available to go abroad to coordinate the construction! I think that there are 3 options:
1) bring all the craftsmen from japan
2) provide one experienced carpenter to instruct/supervise and use local workers.
3) a mix of the two options above.

COST: from 20 to 25 million yen (170,000 USD ~ 210,000 USD)

In both cases, I would travel together with the contractor principal about once a month (five times) to coordinate the work.

COST: about 2 million yen (17,000 USD) + airplane tickets

Please contact me by email at japan@bartokdesign.com if interested.
TOTAL COST: about 35 million yen (300,000 USD) + reinbursable expenses

update: see the pictures of the completed counter here:
http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/7-custom_ofuro/sushi_counter_for_hk.php

We are now building 2 hinoki wood counters. They will sit on top a marble counter and will have a stainless steel cladding towards the kitchen.
The substructure of the counter consists of blocks of AB and B grade hinoki laminated together.

The corners are round so after laminating the necessary width, we used a jigsaw and trimmer to shape them.

Finally, we will apply a 7mm veneer on the top and front and a 3mm veneer on the curved corners, for this reason there is an indent in the base.

We were lucky to find a very beautiful lumber, quarter sawn (with straight grain) more than 7m long. We will use this for the surface layer. Even if the counter is divided in sections for transportation and assembly, the wood grain will naturally flow on the counter once completed.

Hi, I need your help.
I want to create a separate container for the project as above.
If you are not familiar with what I am talking about please check the links below:

http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/0-blog_news/bring_home_a_japanese_temple.php

http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/0-blog_news/update_about_the_project_of_tr_1.php

http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/0-blog_news/more_pics_and_floor_plan_of_th.php

http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/0-blog_news/adopt_a_traditional_building_w.php

What naming/URL would be most suitable for a new homepage dedicated to this activity?
oriental? catchy? powerful? witty? emotional?
Please let me hear your precious opinion!

I prepared an extremely simple form with only one question.
You are anonymous. Answer here below.

Dear friends,

Recently I am receiving and sharing some information that are not directly related with the wooden bathtubs. I believe it is important to save historical buildings even if minor (or actually even more because they are minor...)
To me, a basic "machi-ya" old house conveys more emotions and sense of space than tens of monumental temples or shiny revamped castles to satisfy the "shutter chance" that makes the tourists happy...

But, I am not here to make polemics. I feel that I am in the position of bridging the "fading" traditional japan with the japanese lovers worldwide and I am committed to fulfill this duty.
I just uncovered the tip of an iceberg and I think that there is a lot that can be done in terms of saving old buildings and thus (hopefully ... some day...) stimulating a new sense of value among the japanese.

But I am aware that not all of the fans of japanese baths are also interested in this heritage-buildings-salvage project.
So I decided to build a new site for this purpose.
I need some time, maybe 30-45 days but I will split the 2 projects, promise.
So if you are not interested, do not quit reading this, bear with me one more month.
Will you, please?

Let me then give now a short update about the projects as today (+ there is a new entry!):

1) salvage of the Osaka temple (transfer): the buddhist priest is elderly and very conservative. He is worried that any movement around the building now could ruin his negotiation to sell the land to a developer specialized in rental apartment buildings.
But I am in touch thru a very sensitive real estate agent and as soon as the situation clears I will prepare a survey and an estimate of the cost to dismantle the wooden structure with roof tiles, doors, fixtures and acessories. Once I have an idea of the sizes and the volumes I will also provide an estimate of the shipping cost.
I cannot set a certain date but It will be as soon as possible.
-------------------------------------------------------

2) salvage of the Teahouse near Enoshima: our action and especially the sharing on facebook (done by my the owners` relative) produced a positive action!
They decided to remove the property from the market for now.
(I think they are considering some offers by restaurants interested in renting the property and continuing the tea-house business).
I cannot say yet it is safe, and will keep an eye on the situation, but it seems the emergency is settled at the moment!

-------------------------------------------------------

3) Well, there is another adoption project on the table. I already presented back in january the case of an australian friend who owns the prestigious "Shizuka Ryokan" in Victoria - Australia and is looking for a buyer.

http://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/0-blog_news/japanese_ryokan_for_sale.php
Peter and his wife want to move back close to elderly relatives and are offering the keys to this amazing business!
Get the buildings, the trees, the kangaroos and all the clients and achievements for AUS 1,750,000
The deal he was working on got stuck at the end and the property is again on the market!
Contact Peter at info**at**shizuka.com.au (of course substitute the **at**) for more details.

Again, I will keep in touch and I wish you a relaxing weekend!

Best//

iacopo torrini

mail for any question/problem to: japan**at**bartokdesign.com

As you know, I am taking action to find an alternative location for a wooden structure temple in Osaka. The site is being developed and the building will be demolished unless it is transferred before then.
This story was spotted by a japanese woman who is trying to save the stunning beautiful japanese house of a relative near Enoshima (Tokyo area).

The relative is elderly and cannot maintain the house anymore. It is about 479 sq.mt. of land in a prestigious residential area in Fujisawa (near Yokohama) so the price is quite high (about 140-150 million yen.)
In japan land has value while the building is totally devaluated after 25-30 years.
The problem is that it is difficult to get a return on the investment so the only thing that real estate agencies can propose is to demolish the building and garden and split the lot in commercially viable lots of 150 sq.mt. which can be easily sold at a high price.

The building is 1 story high and a floor area of about 87 sq.mt. It was built 90 years ago and has been used as a school for tea ceremony for the past 20 years. It was built with selected materials and is in pristine conditions every nook and corner. It consists of 3 tea rooms.

USAGE:

Option 1)
Of course it would be great if somebody is interested to buy it and use for tea ceremony, ikebana class or other traditional japanese art.
It is 4 Km (15 minutes by car) from Enoshima and the area will be flooded with tourists in view of the olympic games.

Option 2)
It can be used as a restaurant but not as a hotel (local regulations.)

Option 3)
It can be used as a residence by a real japan lover (but note it has no car-park and bathroom/shower so some work is needed)

Option 4)
If there is no buyer and they decide to demolish the building, I am looking for somebody interested in adopting it. The building can be dismantled and reassembled elsewhere.
As soon as we have more information about the temple project, I will be able to provide an estimate about the cost.

Please let me know if you are interested or know anybody who might...

All the Best//

iacopo torrini

his is just a brief note about air shipping fares from Japan (I assume it is a generalized market adjustment worldwide).
All the forwarders we work with gave us the notice that the airfreight basic charges will increase 20% after december 1st. 2015.
Usually the fares go up before Christmas but 20% is a notable increase!

Again, it is a recurring pattern that the fares decrease after the holiday season is over but never go completely back to normal.
If you are considering purchasing a Bartok bath (especially kadomaru type) I recommend to finalize and order before 11/15.

I take this opportunity to announce that the Bartok design homepage is undergoing a renovation process and in december it will have an easier to use shop and booking section which will hopefully ease the matching between different clients shipping to similar locations and therefore allow considerable savings in the shipping charges.
Of course I will keep you updated on the progress.

Have a nice day// Sayonara~

The response to my previous mailing about the salvage of a wooden structure temple in Osaka was just overwhelming.
I am confident we will be able to find the right match for the structure and I will keep you posted with the progress of the transactions, site surveys and schedule.

Actually at the moment the keys of the hon-do (the main pavillion) are now in the hands of the Buddhist authority which is considering the application for the secularization of the building. The monk cannot let us inside in this phase, so the real estate agent passed me few more detailed pictures of the structure from the outside.

The temple name is Jo-Sho-ji.
Here below is the street view of the site.

https://www.google.co.jp/maps/@34.6815783,135.4487177,3a,75y,9.19h,83.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sb7s0eoASaHsImXUR1wCQoQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=ja

Here below is a site plan showing the external dimensions (excluding the projection of the roof). The area highlighted in light blue is the hon-do (main hall)

SCHEDULE (tentative):

* 2015/11
Within the end of november I am planning to make a survey inside the building and ask a specialized company an estimate of the cost for dismantling the structure in such a way it can be rebuild without damage. I am planning to enquire Kongo-gumi which is specialized in the construction and maintenance of religious architecture since year 578 A.D. !!

As said earlier, the cost of the building itself, including the accessories is free of charge.
* 2015/12
Following, I will evaluate the cost of loading on containers, customs issues and shipping cost. I should be able to have clear data by the end of december.
* 2016/1
A couple of weeks should be enough to evaluate the feasibility of the project and the most suitable "foster family".
* 2016/2
Time to carefully dismantle the structure as the D-day for the demolition is set for the end of the month.

Please refer to this blog for updates and additional details.

All the Best//

iacopo torrini

This makes me think that there is a great potential in acting as a bridge between the "shining new building addict" Japanese and the community of the japan-lovers worldwide.
It looks like a win-win situation.

There are hundreds of kura (storage house), kaoku (house) , minka (country house) and even theatre stages, ryokans, bathhouses that are being wiped away everyday.
If there is anything I can do to match the right building with the right owner, I will do it!

Here below is some of the feedback I received:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Iacopo,

Not a crazy idea at all!! I think it's a great idea. Please can you let me know dismantling and shipping charges to UK and I have a storage place here.
Also I want to use the tub now so can this also be shipped Asap!
I am going to use much more Japanese things in our projects in the UK and Europe.
Best Wishes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Iacopo,

I must say you sure have a way to attract my interest !!
Well, as I might have told you I live in a house with approximately 11,000 square meters of land around it and therefore plenty of room, I think, for the temple.
Also, Cairns has a permanent population of about 3,500 Japanese who, I would think, they would be entusiastic to knwo that there is an progonal temple in their city.
Could you please tell me more Iacopo? Any idea how much it will cost to dismantle it and the sort of volume/weight of material it will generate to transport it to Australia. If I have that kind of information I will be able to start getting some quotes and some idea of the cost of transporting it to Cairns.
Further, I guess I will need to know how to reassemble it once here.
Depending on the expense involved I might try to engage the local Japanese community to ee whether they are able contribute to the project somehow.
I am really quite excited about this idea!
By the way, Iacopo, my invitation to you and your family to visit Cairns is still open ended! If Zeno wants to come to Cairns to study some English at my school he is always most welcome!
Cheers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello from France,
Your message as just reached us and we care about your project...as you said "teleporting" would have a smell of unthinkable ! We could dare...

Do you have floor plans and other pictures of the inside of the Temple house ?
We could be interested to find a new location in the other country of the biggest European Natural forest and Ocean coast near Bordeaux and Biarritz in France ( South West ).
We are looking forward to understand what is the inside shape and craftsmanship pieces with other pictures ?Do you have technical pre study about the process of transplantation with an architect ? Any idea about the cost involved ?
Let's talk about it ?
Have a nice day.
With our best regards.
Cordiales salutations.
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I wish we had the space!
It makes our hearts sing for Japan...
Thanks for showing me
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Hello and thank you for your message regarding the temple. I own a large land in ***** in the north of France. I would love to make a special place for people to come and create/compose/write/meditate... Can you send me more details? Idea of costs? There is just 20km from my place one of the largest ports in France, Le Havre.... container ships arriving everyday from all over the world. I look forward to hearing from you
warm regards
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Dear Iacopo,
Have you had any responses yet?
I have been wondering about some of my colleagues who may have large amounts of land attached to their properties out of London.
Also, I will forward to my contacts in the Oriental Studies Department at Oxford University- maybe the university would be interested.
I believe we could make this happen.
Kind regards,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Torrini, Wow. We should have just gotten the temple and not built the house. I'm not sure how our neighbors would take to it though.
We will be getting back to you on our Japanese room shortly. Thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello
I am very interested. Can you tell me what is the cost and what are the dimensions?
I live in Arizona USA and I have just the perfect place
Thanks
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great iacopo,
We are looking forward to this project. I am sure we can make this happen.
We have the right people and space to rebuild and keep the temple in honor.
Thank you again and hope to talk to you later.
Warm regards,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then, there are many courtesy messages and many people interested in the artifacts and parts of the building.
I think I will give priority to the projects which would reconstruct the building in its integrity.

There is even a friend asking the cost of the land with the temple on it.
Is he planning to move to japan? I will check with him in private...

Anyway, keep tuned. I will post here additional information and updates.
Sayonara!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 10.24:

Next week (10/26~31) I will visit the site and take pictures of the interior and survey the site.

This makes me think that there is a great potential in acting as a bridge between the "shining new building addict" Japanese and the community of the japan-lovers worldwide.
It looks like a win-win situation.

There are hundreds of kura (storage house), kaoku (house) , minka (country house) and even theatre stages, ryokans, bathhouses that are being wiped away everyday.
If there is anything I can do to match the right building with the right owner, I will do it!

Here below is some of the feedback I received:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Iacopo,

Not a crazy idea at all!! I think it's a great idea. Please can you let me know dismantling and shipping charges to UK and I have a storage place here.
Also I want to use the tub now so can this also be shipped Asap!
I am going to use much more Japanese things in our projects in the UK and Europe.
Best Wishes
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Hi Iacopo,

I must say you sure have a way to attract my interest !!
Well, as I might have told you I live in a house with approximately 11,000 square meters of land around it and therefore plenty of room, I think, for the temple.
Also, Cairns has a permanent population of about 3,500 Japanese who, I would think, they would be entusiastic to knwo that there is an progonal temple in their city.
Could you please tell me more Iacopo? Any idea how much it will cost to dismantle it and the sort of volume/weight of material it will generate to transport it to Australia. If I have that kind of information I will be able to start getting some quotes and some idea of the cost of transporting it to Cairns.
Further, I guess I will need to know how to reassemble it once here.
Depending on the expense involved I might try to engage the local Japanese community to ee whether they are able contribute to the project somehow.
I am really quite excited about this idea!
By the way, Iacopo, my invitation to you and your family to visit Cairns is still open ended! If Zeno wants to come to Cairns to study some English at my school he is always most welcome!
Cheers
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Hello from France,
Your message as just reached us and we care about your project...as you said "teleporting" would have a smell of unthinkable ! We could dare...

Do you have floor plans and other pictures of the inside of the Temple house ?
We could be interested to find a new location in the other country of the biggest European Natural forest and Ocean coast near Bordeaux and Biarritz in France ( South West ).
We are looking forward to understand what is the inside shape and craftsmanship pieces with other pictures ?Do you have technical pre study about the process of transplantation with an architect ? Any idea about the cost involved ?
Let's talk about it ?
Have a nice day.
With our best regards.
Cordiales salutations.
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I wish we had the space!
It makes our hearts sing for Japan...
Thanks for showing me
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Hello and thank you for your message regarding the temple. I own a large land in ***** in the north of France. I would love to make a special place for people to come and create/compose/write/meditate... Can you send me more details? Idea of costs? There is just 20km from my place one of the largest ports in France, Le Havre.... container ships arriving everyday from all over the world. I look forward to hearing from you
warm regards
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Dear Iacopo,
Have you had any responses yet?
I have been wondering about some of my colleagues who may have large amounts of land attached to their properties out of London.
Also, I will forward to my contacts in the Oriental Studies Department at Oxford University- maybe the university would be interested.
I believe we could make this happen.
Kind regards,
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Torrini, Wow. We should have just gotten the temple and not built the house. I'm not sure how our neighbors would take to it though.
We will be getting back to you on our Japanese room shortly. Thanks.
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Hello
I am very interested. Can you tell me what is the cost and what are the dimensions?
I live in Arizona USA and I have just the perfect place
Thanks
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Great iacopo,
We are looking forward to this project. I am sure we can make this happen.
We have the right people and space to rebuild and keep the temple in honor.
Thank you again and hope to talk to you later.
Warm regards,
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Then, there are many courtesy messages and many people interested in the artifacts and parts of the building.
I think I will give priority to the projects which would reconstruct the building in its integrity.

There is even a friend asking the cost of the land with the temple on it.
Is he planning to move to japan? I will check with him in private...

Anyway, keep tuned. I will post here additional information and updates.
Sayonara!

I have to admit, I LOVE that we live in a day and age where we can think of the unthinkable.
Have you ever considered teleporting a japanese temple in your backyard and using it to surprise your friends invited for a genuine tea ceremony?

It sounds crazy? Actually it is.
But you can, and it is free.
Feel free to read here below for more details.

A japanese temple looking for a caring home.

I was having a coffee with a real estate company I am working with and heard that this temple , located in Osaka is going to be destroyed in february 2016.
The buddhist priest does not have heirs or apprentices and could convince the community that there is no future for the temple.
Since his family is owning the land, he is going to tear the building down, sell the land and use the proceeds for his retirement.

This is the external gate. The temple was rebuild after the WWII so it is not ancient but as every temple in japan uses premium handcrafted material.
The fact that it is relatively recent also means that the construction materials are still in very good conditions.
If we cannot save this site, how about rebuilding the temple somewhere else?

Alternatively, I also think it would make sense to reuse the material for other scopes. There are many statues in pristine conditions.
"hongawara type" roof shingles, doors, shelves, "ranma" carvings, tatami mats, shoji screens, framing material etc.
Japanese timber frame buildings can be dismantled and reassembled without major disruption.

I think we should give the good example and show to the japanese how much the traditional culture and historic heritage are precious.

What do you think? Do you need the temple? It is free!
Of course there will be costs involved in dismantling the materials and shipping them in a container.
But I think that it can be a unique chance to enter in possession of a precious artifact.
I am sharing this information just in case it may match you or your aquaintances schedule and plans.

My hope is that the action of a foreigner "adopting an historical building" may trigger a shift towards a different set of mind in Japan.
Please let me know if you want more information. We have to act quickly as the demolition date has already been set (february 2016).

Contact me at japan@bartokdesign.com for any question.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!

iacopo
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UPDATE 10/20

We had an overwhelming feedback!
Thanks everybody for the prompt and kind reply.
I will get in touch with the real estate company and get more information.
I am planning to get back to you before the end of october.

All the Best//

We are now working on an order of 8 tubs for an Hong Kong restaurant.
The first lot of 4 will be shipped in july and the second lot in august.

I wonder if the customers will enjoy the hot water while eating? Or will take a bath while enjoying the landscape after the meal? I will keep you posted.
I am sure it will be a highly successful formula as the "japanese style" is really rocking in Hong Kong as well as Singapore.

Last month a client was enthusiastic at the idea of purchasing a japanese bathtub.
Unfortunately, the shipping cost quotation came as a cold shower.
For a small size tub, the shipping cost can be close to the actual cost of the tub itself...

She asked if there was a way to lower the cost.
Actually, we charge only about 5,000-9,000 JPY for processing fees, the rest is pure cost, as we receive it from the shipping company.
After years of comparative bidding, we selected the best providers. Some are very specialized for some areas (eg. Australia), some are more competitive for air, some others for ocean shipping and so on.
We usually request a couple of quotations and submit the cheapest.

Anyway, let`s go back to the conversation with the client I mentioned here above.
I told her that the only way would be to consolidate a couple of shippings. I asked - as a joke - if she did not have a friend willing to order an ofuro at the same time...
Well, we were talking on the phone and I was almost dazzled at the light bulb she had!
A friend of hers from California was also planning to buy an ofuro! This could be a great chance!

Unfortunately, there is no big saving if the destinations are far and would involve separate landing locations...
Sorry about that.

But after hanging up, I had my own light-bulb: how about opening up our schedule to the clients so that they can find another japanese lover with a matching schedule?

This is why I am now writing this page.
I will test a new method (beta version) using a third party scheduling service.
If it works I will find a long term solution.

Please access the calendar here.

1) Choose the service according to your area.
2) Choose the preferred date on the calendar.
3) Fill in your address. (Phone no. is not required)

If we find another person with similar schedule we will contact both to verify if there is flexibility and try to ship the 2,3 or more ofuro all at once!
This could make you save big bucks!

Please let me know any comment or advice here below.

Well, this may seem a little out of topic compared to the other posts of this blog.
But I realize most of you reading this blog love japanese design and minimalist aesthetics, (of course, besides japanese bathtubs...!)
Well, I heard of a 1984 house designed by Ando Tadao which is for sale and I`d like to share with you this juicy information. I am noticing that many residents of Singapore and Honk Kong are eagerly purchasing real estate in Japan: I would be honored if this post helped you finding the house of your dreams!

My friend Rica is married with an Englishman and lives in Kobe.
She is a real estate broker and deals with rentals as well as with residential and investment properties for sale. She just advertised this new gem:

It is a compact size private residence located in a beautiful area famous for its well preserved natural environment, on the hillside of Nishinomiya
The property consists of a 2 story house + basement (4BR) with a total floor area of 207.20 sqm and insists on a generous lot (for japanese standards) of 440.95 sqm

It is located in the green Megamiyama (Nishinomiya city) with easy access to both Osaka and Kobe.

The asking price is 78,500,000 JPY. For more information, check directly Rica`s homepage

One final note. The only problem with this property is... that it is not equipped with a hinoki ofuro...
The good news is that we can provide one for you, to match perfectly the size and style of the house ^^!

Enjoy your weekend!

Wow! WOW! wOw! woW!

I cannot help dedicating a twin entry to this beautiful tub installed in Canada.
Please check also the client`s comments in the testimonials section.

I thanked again the client for his kindness and generosity.
He replied saying: "Please feel free to use the photos and our comments although we would prefer to remain anonymous. We hope the photos help to inspire other potential customers to order your fine tubs."
He is dedicating the pictures to all the japanese lovers` community, so here are more pictures!

This tub is being taken to the packaging company.
We loaded it on the forklift and took it outside...

But could not help it to smile when we saw the 10T truck that come to pick up the tub...
I am sure the ofuro felt like a prince ☆!

This is the photo of the tub we shipped to Vancouver being installed.
For me being used to cramped japanese residences with small rooms and "virtual" gardens it is always a nice surprise to see the generosity of space of an american home...

Also it is always a fresh surprise for me to see the same tub that I saw last month in the hands of our carpenter Wada-san while he was drinking tea... The tub is now in a completely different reality, surrounded by smiling westerner`s faces...
There is maybe a positive side to globalization, where people living 10000 miles away from Japan can put in our homes a real Japanese bathtub, made by hand by an experienced (and sometimes a little grumpy) japanese craftsman!

Just a brief note to say that Bartok design Japan has been featured on an american specialized magazine.

There is just a short article in the "free standing baths" sections, but if you have the chance to grab a copy, do not miss it out!

Here below are some comments I received to my newsletter introducing Anke`s book last saturday:

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1) Dear Iacopo, I am very interested. Best! T.

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2) Dear Iacopo,

Thank you for passing on the information about Anke's book. I would like to buy two copies of the book.

One for my mother for her 73rd birthday in April. She has visited Japan a few times and we have travelled together as she does not speak Japanese. She adores Japan, I think this would be a lovely gift.

And one for my parents in law who visited us in Japan once and still refer to it as the best holiday/cultural experience of their lifetime!

Thanks again,
J

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3) Hi Iacopo

This is an excellent idea to share this book with us !

I would be very happy to see it and more than that, I would like to offer it to a young couple, just married, who are planning a wedding trip to Japan. I'm quite sure they will love it !

I would then be grateful if you could forward my mail to Anke
We still enjoy a lot the bath tub !

With best regards
B.

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4) Hello
Many thanks for this information.
I would love to order a copy of this beautiful book from Anke.
Please forward her my details.

Best wishes,
F.

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5) Beautiful!
Thank you for sharing, iacopo
Would like to see a few more pages/spreads.

With regards from Italy
g

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6) Hello, thank you for reviewing this book.
I would love to contact Anke to buy a copy.

Thank you

B.

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7) I would be very interested in purchasing a copy of Anke's book. Do you think she would sign them if we asked her very nicely?

With best wishes,

M.

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comment from Anke)

Dear Iacopo.

Seven incoming E-mails from Bartok design Japan - entirely unexpected - entirely surprising.

When I opend it with my sumi-E on top, your book review and a picture of the Tottori -Sakyu section, I can hardly describe my feelings - dumpfounded - humble - excited - appreciative - happy.

I do accept your work gratefully and like to thank you very much for your enthusiastic , very kind , moving and touching description. It was just overwhelming - even to read the spontaneous answers of your clients together with a book order.

Like you said "we all share the passion for the japanese aesthetics, the profound naturality, the addictive simplicity of the japanese traditional culture", we are obviously soul - mates.
Not like friends and acquaintances who didn't appreciate it that much I think (lack of understanding shown for my interests or for Japan in general). Well, human frailities like envy may play a part too, since I just do what I like to do and mind and body have not reached my biological age.

With pleasure I am going to send your customers an E- mail, ask for their addresses , send them a book and just hope they will like it.
Thank you again
Anke

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Reply from Iacopo)

Dear Anke:

You are welcome.
When I sent my greeting card last Christmas to previous customers and received many kind answers, I had the realization I can be the binding agent for a wonderful community of people who share the same passion.
I feel my mission is to connect these friends, like a bridge connects the two sides of a river.

I am glad I could connect to you some alike minds who are interested in your work. At the same time, by reviewing your book I know I gave many people a smile and this is even more important for me! (forgive my sincerity...)

All the Best//

iacopo

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8) Good morning Sir

I would like to order 3 copies of this book.
Thank you for this email and for sharing your gift.

J.

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9) Joli message de Iacopo...
qui ne pense pas qu'à ses baignoires...
J'aime beaucoup...

I received a book from Anke, a german architect who is building a new house and is planning to install one of our ofuros.

I like to think to my clients as a community of friends. We all share the passion for the japanese aesthetics, the profound naturality, the addictive simplicity of the japanese traditional culture.
But this present from Anke is just more than normal book, more than you would expect to receive from a stranger to which you are linked just by a common interest for japanese hot springs and bathing rituals.

The book is very powerful. It is the diary of a solo trip she made to japan on her 70th birthday.
There are some artistic b/w snapshots and the commenting prose (in german and english) is dry, minimal and conveys vivid images.
"Yohaku no bi" is not only very poetic and energizing, it contains a mine of information for the seekers of the authentic japan.
She picks and describe some fine ryokans and onsens out of the paths of the normal japan tourist and many of them were the set of the novels of famous XXth century japanese writers who shared the same spaces, the same experiences and projected them in their works.

Of course they are well known places but her selection, her descriptions and the fact Anke entangles her travel experiences with the stories of black and white fiction protagonists gives the reader the thrill of an elegant time-trip.

I also would like climb Mt. Haguro, listening to the sound of my steps and savoring in my mind the verses of Matsuo Basho from his 1689 travel diary: "oku no hosomichi" (the narrow road to the interior)

But I would be selfish to keep this little treasure for myself.
Of course you are welcome to follow Anke`s path and enjoy her recommended aesthetic meditation spots.

This is why I decided to share with you this book.

If you are interested please send me an E-mail and I will forward it to Anke (I do not want to publish it here as it may become the target of spam). It's printed at book on demands, so she can order more books, even one by one. Price is 17.00€ + 4,00€ postage.

Anke comments:
When I did the book, I didn't think of selling it or that somebody I don't know might be interested. I did it because I really liked to do it and thought it might be a nice Christmas present for friends and acquaintances and people who are interested in Japan.

Yes, we got another stock of beautiful asnaro-hiba wood.
We can build about 8 tubs now.
If you are looking at the picture and wondering, yes: the massive "7692" is one piece!

Well, we begged all the lumberyards in our network and could finally obtain a nice lot of high quality asnaro wood.

It should be enough for 3-4 tubs depending on the size.
If you are planning to choose asnaro, I recommend to hurry up...

Yesterday I participated to the memorial service for my wife`s grandmother.
I asked the Buddhist monk and everybody also to pray for Kenji Goto, the japanese journalist murdered by the ISIL in Syria.

Of course I am deeply sorry for the sad epilogue of the story and I feel very sympathetic to his mother, wife and young baby.
But even more, I am sad that the violence and the superstition hit (and maybe this is not by chance) not just an innocent but a symbol of tolerance and progressivism.

Kenji in the video message that left as a testament, conveys very well his passion for his mission as a reporter as well as his dedication for Syria and its people.
I strongly hope that his sacrifice will not become the excuse for new violence and revenges.
I propose to honor his death as well as his message of peace, of forgiveness, of mutual understanding.

I am Kenji.

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Addendum: Sorry for borrowing this public space for a private meditation but I really think that Kenji`s blood is very precious and would like to do all I can to ensure his sacrifice was not in vain. "If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also." These are words from the New Testament but this is the bottomline of what what Kenji spoke about. And every courageous man of any religion should think and act this way.