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wood sealing

We recently installed a cedar Ofuro that was sealed on the outside only. Because it is on radiant heat it is beginning to check. Is there a sealer that you have or can recommend that would remedy the problem? Thank you.

Please note:
1) A wooden bathtub placed on a radiant floor will dehydrate and crack. No matter if the wood is coated or not.

2) Besides this, coating only one side only is never a good idea as the wood will be unbalanced and start to warp

3) In case of a japanese bathtub, we never coat it as it would lose its aroma. To make the maintenance easier we suggest to use a full penetration water repellent product (Kihada ichiban)

to solve the problem in your case I recommend:

A) to sand the outside of the tub to remove the coating completely

B) To keep the tub always full to the rim while the radiant floor is on. Even when you are not taking a bath

C) If you want, we can sell the water repellent. It prevents stains and the formation of mold.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

about reheating of the water

Our client was mentioning wanting the ability to fill his tub in the evening and soak, and then be able to use the same warm water in the morning. Is there a system that re-heats the water or maintains a higher temperature?

In Japan most of the hot water heaters are equipped with a re-circulation circuit and have a small pump built into the system.
But of course we cannot export a HW heater with the tub (you would not be able to do maintenance or find spare parts) so the only way is to build a system ad hoc.
This can be easily achieved by putting together some machines used for spas such as a pump, cartridge filter and post-heater (gas, electric or heat pump).
US is the land of private pools and spas so you have the best selection of equipment with makers such as certkin, jandy, pentair, waterways etc. If you prefer a low tech approach, you could cover the tub to avoid heat loss due to evaporation and in the morning you can add 10 liters of very hot water (60deg. centigrade) to raise the temperature.
Please let me know if I answered your question.

day-bed completed!

Here is the leather mattress and cushion completed. As you can see two full cow hides have been used for the left/right side without joints.

The frame is also complete and the graphic keyaki wood grain is providing the perfect accent for a very simple and classic design.
P1150268

click below to see the other 6 photos with details of the frame and mat.
Check also the crowdfunding campaign page: http://igg.me/at/day-bed

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finishing the daybed frame

Here are the photos of the finishing phases of the “Michael” day bed manufacture

The legs pegs are positioned to take advantage of the thickest section of the frame

IMG_1173-tenons

click below to see the other 13 photos of the manufacture!

Alternatively, check the crowdfunding campaign page for more details and to purchase keyaki daybed: http://igg.me/at/su-day-bed

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update about the daybed!

The manufacture of the keyaki daybed is proceeding smoothly. Here are the pictures of the progress with comments.

1) hinoki slats, 15mm thick, cut to size
IMG_1117-slats
click below to see the other 9 steps
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new year card 2018!

like a walk with your best friend,
like the smile of a child,
like a japanese ofuro,

may the New Year be “round” and “square” for you
and … filled with aromatic hot water!

All the Best//
Bartok design Japan Co.

the first sunrise of 2018!

As from Japan we are the first ones to enter in the new year, I am pleased to send you the sunrise of 2018!
20180101_071404

I saw it from Ino-yama, one of the 7 “small fuji” mountains of japan, located in Marugame city – Shikoku island.
The sun rose at 7:16 between the mountains and a low tiara of clouds. For this reason, the sunrise was particularly beautiful.

Happy New Year!!
May the 2018 bring you health, happiness, prosperity and serenity!

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japanese day-bed crowdfunding campaign

180101-hinoki-bed-michael-cover

Alas I was able to share with you and the world our new project: building a day bed using japanese wood and traditional woodworking techniques.

You can find more details and even purchase discounted daybeds here: http://igg.me/at/day-bed

here below is the main inspiration source:

20171231_205952
I have a business card holder made of wood. 100% wood. The button to open it, the spring, the hinge are all made with wood essences which are most suitable for the function. Not a single part of metal. not a nail, not a screw. I have been using it daily for 18 years and all the joints are tight and the movements effortless like day 1. The new daybed will be manufactured with the same concept: no metal parts at all.

And here I am with Kitajima-san, the passionate furniture maker who will produce the daybeds.
kika-stretta-mano
The daybed will have the same size of a kyoma tatami mat (1910x855mm) and will be topped with a full grain leather mattress.

The sale price (after 2018/3/1) will be 6,000 USD + shipping fees, while the crowdfunding price is 4,500 USD + shipping fees (maximum 10 units). Therefore if you are interested, contact me for any additional information and hurry up to secure yours!
171211-daiwatome-daybed-kyoma

20171230_113546
here is the keyaki lumber that will be used to build the frame.
As is explained in the indiegogo page, the daybed originates from the design process and mail conversation with a Bartok design client, Michael. It is thanks to him if this daybed will have a stylish and sharp design, without compromising with the seating an sleeping comfort.
Thank you again Michael!

retro windows for free

S_7207471201614

A friend carpenter renovated a old house and replaced the existing single pane glass windows.
The windows are simple wood frame sliding panels. (10 pieces, assorted sizes)
I think that the glass (1955-1960 cast panels) may be of some use for the japanese memorabilia collectors.
Of course now this glass pattern is not available anymore.

S_7207242321952

The good news is that the windows above are available for free!
If interested contact me via email -> japan@bartokdesign.com.
You will have to arrange for the shipping, or I can send you a fedex quotation if you prefer.
Also, I would recommend to have a plywood box prepared (cost about 15,000 JPY – If interested I will provide a precise quotation)

The windows are available until january 11, 2018 on a first come / first serve basis.
If I receive more than one inquiry, I will ask the parties if they are interested in … splitting the bounty.

Enjoy!

———————————
UPDATE 1:

About the windows: here are the detailed photos.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=15qZDDPdZLv6I7B8OusTAkq2EA7TSe5Y1
The list is a s follows:

screens:
1x H600mm W410mm 2Kg/each
6x H600mm W440mm 1.9Kg/each
1x H900mm W750mm 2Kg/each

glazed windows:
2x H700mm W970mm 6.5Kg/each
2x H900mm W750mm 7Kg/each
2x H900mm W900mm 9Kg/each
4x H1070mm W740mm 8.2Kg/each
2x H900mm W900mm 8.5Kg/each
2x H700mm W430mm 2Kg/each

Please check from Fedex site the total cost. Shipping is from Kobe-Japan.

UPDATE 2:

An happy epilogue! I received 3 inquiries about the windows. 2 from the USA and one from an expat living in Nagoya Japan.

As the cost involved in shipping the windows oversea are high, the 2 friends based in the USA withdrew so the windows will be picked up and transferred to Nagoya by car.

A. from Pennsylvania gallantly commented: “Thank you for the follow up, I appreciate that. The costs would be a bit prohibitive, so please…give them to the more local guy. They look really nice, I hope he uses them for something beautiful! ”

I also hope that M. from Nagoya will share with us the photos of his project with the windows installed!

sawara cypress kakuburo – sold out –

sorry, sold out!

As simple as mentioned in the title, this is a rare example of box-shaped ofuro made with sawara cypress.

We had a batch of wide planks sawara wood and felt it is a waste splitting them and using as material for barrel type tubs (which require narrower planks).

Because we do not have examples of rectangular ofuros made with this material (and therefore no requests), the only way for us to use this beautiful lumber was to make an outlet tub. And here it is!

The tub is very deep and even people with a large body can lay inside with the hot water up to the shoulders…!

Sawara has a nice cherrywood like orangeish color and is very aromatic. So for those who think that hinoki is too “pale”… this is an unmissable occasion! And the price is very reasonable too!

Here are the specs:

sizes: L1200mm x W700mm x H745mm (external dimensions) 640mm(depth)
material: knotless natural Sawara wood
drawing: sawara-kakuburo-outlet-sketch

quotation:
1) AB grade tub (quartersawn) : 415,000. JPY
2) Packaging: 140x90x95cm plywood box: 38,000. JPY
3) transportation: to be quoted
(please let us know your exact address: we will provide a quotation before you purchase the tub)