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using the internal seat

Hi, I have been in touch before about an outlet tub.
I am still hoping to purchase a tub from you and have been looking at the Asnaro wood in a 1200 X 750x 660. I am about 5foot 6inches tall and feel it would be a good a size for me to sit in.
I see on the pricing chart that there is a seat price (please let me know if I am reading that correctly).
Would my shoulders still be submerged if I used the seat? Is there a dimension for the seat?
Any advice you can give me to help get the right tub for me would be appreciated.
Thank you.

It`s nice to hear back from you !!
Yes, on the pricelist we are also including the optional cost if you want an internal seat.
You would not be able to get the water to your shoulders while you seat on it.

Usually people alternate phases of full soaking (sitting in the side without a seat) to refreshing phases of “half-body bath” while sitting on the seat.
Note that in japan traditionally ofuros do not have an internal seat while it is common to find it in very large communal baths in hot springs.
If you install a seat in a 1200mm ofuro it will feel a little small but of course, you can still slip your feet under the seat and use the full length.
Also, we can make the seat to be removable but be aware that in this case, quite blatant wooden rail will stay. Please browse the link below for some examples:
https://bartokdesign.com/?s=internal+seat

The seat is usually 300mm deep, you can choose the height.

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To determine the size of the ofuro, we recommend to our customers to create a mockup (using cardboard boxes, or maybe the space between the back of the sofa and a wall etc.) to simulate the space inside the ofuro and imagine sitting in it.

I suggest also making the calculation of the amount of liter of hot water required to fill it up and consult with your plumber to verify the compatibility with your HW system.

Please let me know of any other questions or problems!

Best//

iacopo

asnaro doubleseater for Odessa

This is the first Bartok design tub going to Ukraine.

The client had problems in contacting us and for some reason the e-mails were bouncing off from the server. But she used an alternative email and we could define the details in few rounds.

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Here are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB (quarter sawn)

sizes: L1400mm x W800 x H685mm (ext. dim.)

details: nat. oil apron,  wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right.

options: asnaro wood internal seat W400mm,  asnaro wood traditional cover 820x200x18 (5pcs)

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The tub was shipped thru a forwarder appointed by the client. We arranged for the pickup directly from our packing company which is already very close to Narita airport.

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It is a perfect tub for 2 people. I hope the clients can have relaxing chats and enjoy the fresh aroma of japanese wood it for many years to come! Of course the seats can be quickly removed for a deep plunge japanese style soaking experience.

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tub cover & seat

9 – TRADITIONAL COVER
The traditional tub cover consists of thin separated planks of wood. This type is easy to store as the planks can be piled up. When the lid is used to prevent the water from cooling down (which is the normal use in Japan) planks tend to warp overtime. It is a common practice to use them upside-down alternatively to prevent the warping.
 
10 – LID WITH HANDLES
We can also propose a lid in 2 pieces with handles. (easier to use but takes more space when stored) This will be more costly.
Design and propostions are arranged to have a nice balance with the tub. But first of all ask yourself: do I really need a tub cover?
 
11 – internal seat
If required, we can equip the tub with an internal seat. This is recommended only for tubs that are enough deep or enough long. The seat should be fixed otherwise it would float. It is not reccomendable to use removable planks/stools inside the tub as it would definately scrath the bottom and walls of the tub, besides originating rot on the edges of the seat.
 
12 – REMOVABLE SEAT
Overwhelmed by many requests, we can now propose a removable type bench. We have 2 wooden lateral guides and a thick plank as a seat. The plank has some play to allow for natural dilatation and shrinking of wood. 2 plugs with chains prevent the seat from floating… Analogic but very practical!

adjustable seat hinoki tub

This gorgeous tub was commissioned by an upstate NY architect for his client.
The design process went along for few months and at some point the client also considered using some shoji screens for the project.

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Here are some details:

– japanese Knotless hinoki wood bathtub w/ L-joints (thick planks)
– sizes: L1375mm x W750mm x H686mm (int. dim.) – 615 mm deep
– natural oil apron, small dowels @ joints. Iron brand at front top-right
– Hinoki wood internal seat D400mm with additional set of guides
– Hinoki wood traditional cover 870x210x18 (7pcs)
– Hinoki wood bench 609 x 450 x 648H
– Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
– Sawara large bucket （225D　120H）
– Asnaro minimalist stool (330 x 220 x 300H)
– Hygrometer (complimentary)

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As mentioned in the title, this is our first “removable seat” with the opportunity to be positioned lower or higher.

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We supplied also a normal bath stool together with a higher custom bench which can be used for entering the tub from a sitting position. Very convenient for users of wheelchairs.

With this order we can confirm the recent trend in shipping fees: airfreight is cheaper than ocean freight in more and more occasions. On the top, time consuming Importer Security Filing is not necessary for airfreight so keep it in mind if you plan to purchase a bathtub from Japan…

Addition:
my carpenter scolded me because the top picture is too cramped and the nice front and proportions of the tub cannot be seen…
He is right. This tub deserves a clean head shot. Enjoy!

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Timeless standard – outlet tub – SOLD OUT

(sorry, sold out)

Here we are dazzled by new emperor-era names, displaced by an uncommonly cold and rainy springtime and preparing for an extra long (but already fully booked) Golden Week holiday break.
In these periods I recommend to lay back and wait for the confusion to clear.
Maybe you can have a cup of hoji-tea and listen to some old time classics like Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday.
Timeless standards can reassure us that also this storm will pass, after all, and every winter (no matter how long or cold) always evolves into a springtime…

But if you try all of the above and the melancholy is still there, we have another “timeless standard” to propose as an infallible antidote to a bad day: a hot ofuro bath!

If you do not have one yet, look at this outlet ofuro tub.
Its outstanding feature is … to be not outstanding: it is a “timeless standard”.
Good for 2 people, in hinoki wood (not asnaro) and with a removable internal seat (already included in the price).
This is probably in the strike zone of 90% of the people who are looking for an ofuro.
2 people / hinoki / internal seat.
The only non standard part of this ofuro is the price: 650,000 JPY !!

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outlet tub with bench – sold out –

sorry, sold out!

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The sawara wood bathtubs trend continues with another fine grain tub made with the gentle orange cypress.
See the previous outlet tubs on the explanation why sawara is a trend.

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difference between shapes

Can you tell me the advantages and disadvantages of using an oval shape vs. a rectangle shape, in terms of comfort? And how many people could comfortably fit? Also wondering about the various heights of the different tub options you sent, If I used a seat, it doesn’t seem like the water would cover my body up to my neck. How does one do that?
Many questions I know! If I keep the water in the tub and just heat it up, how is that done? do you provide a water heater?
The weight when full of water…can you give me an approximate figure? Will my construction framer need to make the floor extra support to hold it?

I wish there was an ofuro I could try in my area! If you know of any public ones in the pacific northwestern area of USA, please let me know!

Japanese bathtubs originate from the technology of boat building. (which are actually build to keep the water outside and not inside!)
About the shape, the rectangular tubs evolved from the method of building boxes.
The round and ingot shape tubs from the manufacturing of buckets.
Therefore the shapes are different in their origin not only in the design but also in their functionality and purpose.
Ofuros have not been designed. They have been shaped by everyday use.
I think this is a splendid example of the expression “the form follows the function” expressed by the architectural modernist movement.

Said that, here I will mention some DEMERITS of the two shapes:
1) round, ingot shape: as the planks are orientated vertically and have their cross section (which is more porous) facing up: they are more prone in becoming stained on the section by black mold (but this is not always true out of the extra humid japan)

2) rectangular tubs: the corners unnecessarily hold some a larger amount of water..!
I am not sure I answered your question…

What is your budget? If you want to use it in 2 people you need at least 1500 of length.
But if you make it deeper and add internal seats… it becomes quite expensive.

Therefore I recommend to use it without seats – which enables to have a shallower tub and also use less water.

For the weight, consider that water weights 1000 Kg per cubic meter.
Therefore it depends on the sizes but a 1500x750xD600mm will hold 670 liters (670 Kg) when filled to the rim.
This translates in 120 p/sf so I think you would need some reinforcing if the bathroom is on the 2nd floor.

Sorry, we do not know of any public ofuro in the US (we supplied ofuros to Singapore and Hong Kong spas.)
For the question about re-heating the water, please check FAQ 71.

All the Best//

iacopo

“princely” ofuro for hong kong

A Japanese living in Hong Kong kindly coordinated on behalf of the owner the order or a large hinoki tub for a residence.

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The installation will be in a ledge so the also supplied the external panels to be mounted on site.

Yoshiyaki is now holding the front panel to show how to position it. I am skipping the photos of the other sides…

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Here are the pictures of how it looks before inatallation, with a double shell construction,

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the other side will be recessed in a tiled ledge.

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since the tub top frame is recessed on one side to direct the overflow in this direction, we added a base on one side to the cover planks.

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Finally, here are the specs:

Material: Hinoki wood AB grade tub
Size: L2000mm x W1000 x H1050mm (ext. dim.) 930mm(depth)
Details: wooden dowel, copper under apron, iron brand at front top-right over flow top cut,
Options: Apron boards panels (supplied separately)
1) Short side: 960 x 508 x 25t
2) foront side: 2000 x 508 x 20t
3) back side: 150 x 508 x 20t
Hinoki wood a removable internal seat W400mm

Accessories:
Hinoki wood traditional cover 1020*x200x21 (10pcs)
Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H):
Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
Sawara wood large bucket（230D　120H）

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3 hinoki tubs (one by one) – all sold out –

sorry, sold out!

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A B2B client just ordered these 3 stunning hinoki tubs.
But just while we were doing the last finishing touches, the client contacted us saying that they are changing the layout and will need larger tubs (1800 x 1200mm)

So they asked us to put the tubs in the outlet corner on their behalf.
The price was already very competitive as this was a three units order… on top of this the client is willing to offer a huge discount! Please scroll the post to the bottom to see the details.

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Here below are the specs/price conditions.

Also, check the dimensioned drawings here: hb160725-outlet-with-spout

Japanese Hinoki B grade bathtub (quartersawn, small knots)
L1500mm x W800　x H650mm (ext. dim.) 552mm(deep) –
wooden dowels, copper apron, iron brand at top-right corner
price: ¥680,000 per unit
discount: 20%
OUTLET PRICE: 544,000 JPY
(for a 1500×800 tub in straight hinoki! This is probably the best deal ever in this outlet corner…)

Other costs:
* bank transfer fee: 6,500 JPY (unless you give instructions to your bank to PAY IN FULL)
* Packaging: 1700x1000x850mm plywood box 45,000 JPY
* Shipping fee (please let me know your precise address for the quotation)

You can also customize the order (add internal seat/cover/accessories etc.)

You can order just one or 2,3 tubs if you want!

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Also, the client cancelled also 1 (one) floor mounted spout type “E” (sorry, sold out!)

price: ¥150,000 per unit
discount: 20%
OUTLET PRICE: 120,000 JPY
(this is a Bartok standard item, and it is discounted! You can also pair it with your preferred custom size tub!)

spout

spout

If interested, contact me promptly at japan*at*bartokdesign.com or by phone to +81-90-8205-1200.

You are not familiar with “B-grade”? It stands for wood with small knots. About aroma or durability there is no difference with Hinoki AB grade. The main difference is aesthetic. See some pictures here below.

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round tub for architect in HK

This tub was ordered by an architecture office based in HK for a residential project.
The size was modified from 1400mm to 1200mm and the material from hinoki to sawara cypress to obtain the best cost-performance.

Sawara is a japanese cypress, similar to hinoki but slightly more orangeish in color (hinoki is white/pink).
It is easy to work with and soft enough so that the metal straps can make a good grip.
Also, the length of the planks match a Sawara standard so the tub is reasonable with an excellent performance.
To use a Japanese expression, for a barrel type tub, Sawara is the “Right man in the right place”IMGP8918h

The tub has a bench for 1/3 of the perimeter.
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Here are the specs:
material: natural Japanese Sawara AB grade bathtub (knotless)
sizes: Dia 1200mm x H700 (ext. dim.) x D590mm (internal depth)
details: twisted stainless steel band. Iron brand at top-center
options: Sawara wood internal seat W285mm (1/3 of perimeter)

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accessories:
– Sawara wood lid with handles (2 pcs)
– Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)
– Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
– Sawara wood large bucket（230D 120H）

– Hinoki wood floor mounted spout (photo here below)

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