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(almost) invisible dowels

I saw in a picture on your site that there is no joint shown, but in your details information page the only two options shown are: round joint or copper plates is that something I have to custom request?

Of course in the case of the standard round dowels, we use the same wood of the ofuro but depending on the angle, they may look more evident.
Round dowels are the standard detail and there is no additional cost.


In case you prefer to show as little as possible the joints, we can also make square dowels (option):
a) additional cost of square dowels: @15,000/face x 2= 30,000. JPY    

In this case, the wood grain and inlay edges are in the same direction so it is less evident (see enclosed photos)


for a complete reference, let me also include here the cost in case of using the copper plates:
b) additional cost of copper plate: @10,000/face x 2= 20,000. JPY :

lovely books

A former client/ now (and forever) friend sent me her new book featuring 87 pages of photos + poetic comments of her last trip to Japan.
I always enjoy her way of seeing things: sophisticated and friendly at the same time.
But this time the present is double as her daughter (also architect) sent me her first book.

(more…)

Information package

1)Production and shipping time:
All our tubs are made in Japan by a skilled 4th generation craftsman. The standard production queue is about 15days . For the shipping and delivery consider + 30 days (ocean freight) or + 10 days (airfreight) for most world locations.

2) Payment contitions:
Invoices and payments will be Japanese Yen. This is to avoid overcharges to our clients due to currency exchange fluctuation risk. A prepayment of 50% of the custom items will be needed before starting production. Once the products are ready, we will send pictures for verification/approval and will require the payment of the reminder before proceeding with shipment. A Bank wire transfer is the most common option. Credit cards are accepted (thru Paypal). Checks are not available. For larger orders a Letter of Credit can be taken into consideration.

3) Shipping cost:
we will need the exact shipping address to be able to obtain the quote from our forwarder (Naigai Forwarding Co.)
We use DDU (Delivered, Duties Unpaid) conditions unless the client requires a different arrangement. Cost varies greatly according to size, country, delivery location. You are welcome to use your local forwarder for the shipment.

4)Installation recommendation:
In case of humid climates, we recommend to leave enough room under the tub to allow air circulation (about 10cm).
For dry climates, avoid direct sunlight exposure and abrupt temperature changes – especially when the tub is empty.

5)Maintenance recommendation:
Please refer also to the FAQ on our homepage and the “Japanese ofuro maintenance tips” notes.
Provide a satisfactory ventilation for the bathroom (natural air circulation with cross ventilation is the best), anyway avoid use of air conditioning in the bathroom, especially when it is empty and not in use. A A/C can dry up the natural humidity of the wood in a matter of few days…!
As soap, detergents and dirt are responsible for the insurgence of mold and fungi, we recommend not to use soap inside the tub, and to wipe it after use with a soft sponge or towel.
Unless otherwise specified, we apply one layer of “Kihada Ichiban” which is an hydrorepellent treatment, based on the nanotechnology. It does not create a coat, it actually penetrates inside offering lasting protection whithout occluding the pores of wood.

6) Installation: the tub should sit on 4 concrete blocks or bricks placed at the perimeter (corners) of the tub. Supports are not needed in the center. This detail allows for air circulation under the tub while preserving the wood from prolonged direct exposure to water.

7) Recommended sanitary fixtures:
Water fixtures can be installed on the wall (directing the water into the tub), on the floor (long hook type), on the tub ledge or thru a spout. In the first two cases, you do not need any interaction with the tubs and can choose the taps freely (Philip Stark design taps for instance are a common choice). In the 3rd case (on tub ledge) the issue
is similar to the first two as you can open a hole where needed in top ledge as it is all solid wood. In case you consider using of a wooden spout, please let me know and I will explain you the options.

8) Certifications:
We can provide declarations stating the origin and quality of the wood.
If you need an official “certificate of origin” from the japanese chamber of commerce or a “phytosanitary certificate” from third party laboratory it may be available at a cost.

Northern lights

Dear Iacopo,
I just wanted to send my greetings from Norway, and share with you a picture of my “little japanese corner” in autumn morning sun:) Thank you for an interesting letter about the wonderful place in Italy! I hope the world will again be open for travelling..
Kind regards,Helen


I received a kind message from Helen from Norway.
The photo is so beautiful I decided to share it with everybody (of course with Helen`s placet) It is so peaceful and poetic that I printed it out and posted on the wall behind the computer. I will look at it to relax and draw energy when in rough waters…!

I take this opportunity to share also 2 other photos from Helen. amazing shadows on the wall paneling (not hinoki but Scandinavian Aspen)
Happy coming of Autumn to all the readers!☆彡

a happy ofuro

Thanks to J. from studioshamshiri for the beautiful photo (© stephenkentjohnson)
The interior, lighting and atmosphere just makes me scream of joy!
sooo beautiful! I am sure also our ofuro (Knotless Hinoki wood AB grade
L1600mm x W800mm x H600mm / 540mm(deep) and duckboard are very happy ☆彡
follow the studioshamshiri instagram account for more breathtaking interior photos or contact them if you like to live in a beautiful space.

SHAMSHIRI
6540 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles CA 90028
tel. 323 601 1007 x 706
http://studioshamshiri.com

ofuro water filling test

Just a final question for now: once you finish manufacturing your tubs, do you run any kind of test to make sure they do not leak at all?

Actually, we never make tests filling up the tubs. And they never leak.

The reason is explained in this video:

The wood in the joints is compressed and once it absorbs water it will expand.

It is a kind of security seal. Once you start filling it for the first time, the corners planks will “melt” into one another.

I hope it is clear. Please let me know of any other questions.

Best//

iacopo

Choose the right ofuro size

Hi Iacopo,
We don’t have a lot of room and I’m wondering what sort of size makes sense. It all comes down to comfort when sitting inside.
It is hard to tell from the photos how people sit in the tubs. If we are to sit with legs straight out then it would have to be quite long. But if it is one we sit upright in, then I would want to make sure that the inner seat is high enough that we aren’t squatting. Does that make sense? Where would I begin to figure this out?

Dear A.,
I think that size is a very subjective matter.
We would recommend building a simple mockup with some cardboard boxes, or maybe just with some furniture and a couple of walls, and simulate the size of the ofuro.

Consider that while you are in the water, the body loses its weight (especially in a deeper soaking tub where a larger percentage of the body receives the hydro-static lift)

therefore I would not be too concerned about the sitting position with the legs being straight or bent.

I think what is more important is if the tub is going to be used by one person or there are chances of 2 or more people taking a bath together.

About the internal bench: we usually recommend a simple bath without a bench. It is easier to maintain and to clean and you have more flexibility of use (use in 1 person or 2 etc.)

When you are sitting on an internal bench, the full immersion bath becomes a half body bath (unless you increase the depth of the ofuro). But a deeper tub uses more water and it becomes more difficult to enter/egress so we would not recommend it.

If you like to alternate periods of full immersion bath with periods of half body bath the I think the internal bench is perfect because you can just switch sides.
If you have a preferential direction (facing a window etc.) we can install a removable bench. (but as the wood tends to float it may be cumbersome to insert/remove the bench while the tub is filled with water)

Best//

iacopo

Send a “shochu mimai” or “zansho mimai”? That is the question!

I trust you are enjoying life and managing to protect yourself from the summer heat and from the … XXX-19 based “culture of fear” dominating the news. 
If the answer is not a 100% convinced “YES!”, I would recommend either to take a relaxing bath, or to read the (fully XXX-19 free…) news below.!

Chapter 1): do`s and don`ts about summer greetings in Japan

Chapter 2): let`s help a friend building a japanese stone garden (+ open question)

Chapter 3): advice about re-heating systems for ofuros 

Why not re-heating?

Hello Bartok Design,
I check your website once or twice a year, every year, wondering why you’re still not offering the heating systems that go with your tubs.
Nothing from Kohler, Toto, Robert’s Hot Tubs in Berkeley, Zen Baths…..etc, either. I check them all every year.

There’s a huge range of soaking tubs on the US market sold by all the big and small bathtub suppliers. And though Japan and the US both use 110-volt power supplies, not one Japanese or US company has stepped forward to get a digital recirculating heating system into the US market. Nothing is waiting for approval, not even in California where demand would be strong.

Are you aware of any progress being made to make these systems available in the US?

Kind regards,
G.

Dear G.,

Thank you for your interest in our Japanese bathtubs!

I appreciate your concern and advice but… we are carpenters… and we are good -only- at producing wooden bathtubs.

If we were reselling mechanical items (produced by specialized companies) our prices would be less competitive than the specialized suppliers plus we would not be able to provide the maintenance service and spare parts.

Consider also that the USA with its huge pool & SPA market can probably provide more advanced equipment at a more reasonable price than the Japanese makers (just my personal feeling)

This is why we prefer not to be involved in heating systems.
(Please note also that a good percentage of ofuros that are ordered by Bartok design`s customers have a larger capacity than a standard 5ft acryl shallow bathtub and the standard hot water heaters with recirculation system -so popular in Japan- would be under-spec.)

Anyway, it is not complicated to implement a system to match the requirements of each project.
Basically is the same as a spa or jacuzzi bath.

You will need a post-water-heater (gas-operated /or heat pump) + recirculation pump + cartridge filter + if you want ozone or UV sanitizer. (you cannot use chlorine – not even from a salt chlorinator)

I recommend contacting a company designing/installing systems for spas.
You can search for the names of equipment companies as keywords: (Jandy, Certikin, Waterways, Hayward, Pentair etc.)

If that company has questions about the compatibility/interface with the ofuro, you can put me in contact with them directly and I will try my best to address their technical questions.

Best//

iacopo

colors of wood

What colors of wood do you offer? 
Can you share some pictures of the actual colors/shades.

Dear Y,
We use natural wood, no pigments, or dies. Also, only conifers can be used for bathtubs so the colors are quite similar. (they are all light color woods.)
I mean that there is no dark wood like walnut or reddish like mahogany.

Our three kinds of wood are:
・hinoki (whitish. color tone similar to birch)
・asnaro (yellowish. color tone similar to oak)
・sawara (orangeish. color tone similar to cherry)

Rather than comparing the photos of the 3 samples, I think it is easier to understand if you run a search on our site so you can see some completed tubs and pick the common traits.
https://bartokdesign.com/?s=hinoki+ofuro
https://bartokdesign.com/?s=asnaro+ofuro
https://bartokdesign.com/?s=sawara+ofuro

If you want we can send some physical samples.
Where are you based? If we can use EMS shipping the cost will be 4000 JPY. If not (USA, Australia etc. – during the COVID emergency) we will have to use Fedex so cost will be 12,000 JPY

Please let me know how you intend to proceed.
Best//
iacopo

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