ofuro resistance and longevity
I have read somewhere that the wood dries out and may crack if the Ofuro is not used regularly. Is this correct and if yes, how often at a minimum do you recommend that the Ofuro should be used / filled with water?
The second question is, provided that the Ofuro is taken care of properly, how many years does it typically last before it needs to be replaced?
Thank you very much and kind regards
Thank you for your interest in our japanese bathtubs！
First question:
We use only hinoki wood from the Kiso Valley – Nagano prefecture (or Asnaro wood from Aomori prefecture) from old growth forests.
Lumber 300+ years old dried with natural ventilation is very stable and will not warp/buckle/crack unless in extreme conditions.
Wood is still a natural material so you understand that it cannot compared with steel or acrylic.
To prevent cracking we ask to respect 3 conditions:
1) do not use heating or air conditioning in the bathroom while the tub is empty (or if you do take some precautions-> see below*)
2) use the tub regularly, at least 2 times a week. Daily use is preferred. (if you are away for extended periods, take some precautions-> see below*)
3) we supply a complimentary hygrometer. Keep an eye on it. (if the relative humidity is below 50%, take some precautions-> see below*)
*) keep some water in the tub and cover it. Alternatively, place a bucket with some water inside in the tub and cover it.
**) if you use the tub daily, you do not need to worry about point 3)
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Second question:
If properly maintained a wooden tub can last 30 years or more.
In hotels or ryokans (japanese inns), bathtubs are replaced every 10-15 years.
Japanese climate is extremely humid, therefore in our experience tubs installed in Europe do not face some of the problems typical of wooden bathtubs (insurgence of black spots, stains.)
We are looking forward to working with you and remain at you disposal for any question/problem.
squealing kids from Singapore!
Dear Bartok design,
In the chaos of shifting, I forgot to update and say that we have received the bathtub and the children are enjoying it extremely well. Especially my littlest who squeals in joy every time we tell her she can go in the bath.
Regards,
S. from Singapore (more…)
Reference from Portland
I received a brief comment together with 3 hefty photos!
Enjoy here below, enjoy!! (I felt the black matte spout and faucets are very sleek indeed!)
Dear iacopo,
Here are photos of bathroom including view from tub!
Best,
M. from Portland – Oregon
outlet tub with bench – sold out –
sorry, sold out!
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.
earthquake in Osaka
For all of you who heard the news of the earthquake in Osaka and kindly thought of us: WE ARE OK.
I also received several messages thru Facebook and Whatsapp: thank you for your caring!
Osaka was the most shaken with a magnitudo of 6. Kobe experienced a magnitudo 4 to 5, according to the area.
The awaji fault (which caused some 4000 casualties in 1995) seems not to be affected this time.
Here are some of the photos that friends from Osaka circulated.
(more…)
pocket onsen ‘GYO’ on indiegogo
Well, ‘GYO’ is actually a development of the ‘pocket onsen’ that was launched in fall 2014.
We have been shipping worldwide over 350 pocket onsens and we are running out of the boxes and fabric pouches that were produced for the campaign. So it is time to create an enhanced version of the original item.
The original ‘pocket onsen’ was a kind of “side dish” to the production of special reserve essential oil. The pocket onsen was the tool to enjoy the world`s first aroma oil obtained from old growth hinoki (250+ years!) and there was an accent on supplying the user with typically traditional japanese artifacts such as a kimono fabric pouch and a lightweight wood box with iron brand. The items could be used also separately (as a jewel box etc.) and maybe this also secured the long term success to the project. https://igg.me/at/pocket-onsen
On the other end, the ‘GYO’ aims at bringing back the product to its essence. The idea is that by adding aromatic wood orbs to your bathtub, you can enjoy the same feeling as entering a real hinoki japanese bathtub.
Find more details at: igg.me/at/onsen-gyo
The pocket onsen ‘GYO’ kits are available both with the “young trees hinoki oil” and with the “special reserve hinoki oil”.
There is also a ‘conoisseur perk’ with both essential oils variations so you can try the difference.
Secure your ‘GYO’ today at this link: igg.me/at/onsen-gyo
Open the tight wooden box, draw out the hinoki orbs and apply few drops of hinoki essential oil. Once you drop them in hot water you will feel as you have been tele-ported into a japanese onsen (hot spring)!
The video explains how to use the hinoki wood orbs and how to store them after use.
- These are now ready-to-ship in our store!
exclusive land in kyoto for sale!
A friend (land surveyor) offered me this exclusive information that I have the pleasure to share with the Bartok design community.
If you have been to Kyoto, you probably know Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka: the picturesque area that leads to the Kyo-mizu-dera temple.
A pedestrian area, made of slopes and stairs is filled with shops and cafes and is flocked with tourists 365 days a year.
It is in this area, on a site also accessible by car there is a property available for sale! (110.98 m2 land with 188 m2 building)
At present a timber frame western style 2 story house + basement (built in 1984) occupies the lot.
Unfortunately the building is not a nice traditional japanese house but the location is extremely rare and valuable.
Considering that this type of properties are not available on the public real estate market, this is a unique opportunity for somebody wanting a second house in Japan.
Most of the neighboring buildings are used as high-end Air BnB and are always fully booked so it can be used as a profitable investment when not occupied. Of course it can be remodeled japanese style or can be rebuilt (being an architect I can help here…)
The total floor area is about 188 m2 and the asking price (land + building) is 200 million yen (about USD 1.8 million)
For any inquiries, please contact me by email -> japan@bartokdesign.com
hinoki shower floor gratings!
“Hi!
The duckboards arrived and are gorgeous! Plus, they smell delicious! See some iPad pics below.
We wondered what the little black pads are for. Also, the 4 extra pieces of wood?
Thanks again!”
tub stained and cleaned up!
hinoki business cards
I introduced this project earlier on this blog and newsletter but… we are now officially open!
Please visit the site https://mokumei.com/
All other words are superfluous…!
