Roses are red violets are blue, sugar is sweet…
I studied this short poem as 1st grade junior high student in Torino some 33 years ago: what a flash back!
But this is just to say that flowers in japan are not only sakura.
A friend went to maihama seaside park in ibaraki prefecture (north of tokyo) and sent me some shots. I did not know it so I felt I had to share it with you! I am enclosing here some photos.
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1) small crack, no leak: just fill the tub and let it rehydrate overnight. As the wood swells back the crack should be completely reabsorbed.
2) small crack with leak: place newspaper pages inside the tub spread over the crack area (be sure NOT to use a newspaper printed with petroleum-based ink). Then fill the tub. The newspaper does not let the water through but transfers the humidity to the wood. Proceed as 1) above.
3) medium crack with leak: fill the crack in its deepest area with clear silicon caulking and let dry for 24 hours. Then fill the tub and keep the water inside for 1-2 days, The wood should swell back and a part of the silicon will probably be squeezed out.
You can cut the excess of silicon with a cutter knife.
4) large crack or asymmetrical crack (triangular shaped): in this case the wood not only cracked but warped as well. Even if re-hydrated it will not return to its position completely. In this case, you should fill the crack with epoxy putty (we can supply it) + sand to make the surface even and make the repair invisible as much as possible.
This crack happens often when the client uses air-conditioning or heating equipment and as a countermeasure keeps some water inside the tub. This precaution is of course very important BUT please understand that it cannot guarantee 100% that also the external side of the wood planks will be sufficiently hydrated.
PHASE 2) 4/16/2017
We received the following email from the client:
Hi
One of my foot tubs is leak and unfortunately I don’t find the note which followed with advise how to fix it. Could you please send it to me by mail?
Thanks.
My answer:
I am sorry for the problem.
Can you send me a picture?
Is there a crack? How many mm wide?
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sorry, sold out!
Asnaro is very aromatic and its “forest scent” perfectly matches the spring-time atmosphere.
We had just the right lot so we decided to make a new outlet tub.
This tub is not only new, it has a new design – and I am sure it will become a classic!
It did not happen on the design table, it was just when we were picking up the material to laminate the sides we noticed we were just a little short. Of course we could re-assort the planks to compose a different size but playing with the lumber that was there we had an inspiration.
I am almost sure that the asnaro aroma kind of made this idea sprung from Nobuhiro`s mind.
He said: why don`t we apply a kamachi (top frame border) only on the short sides?
This makes the corners flush when you look at it from the top, additionally it makes it easy to lift the tub (like a handle) from the head and feet side.
From now on, I will call it “half-kamachi detail” until I come up with a better term.
This springy, fresh design outlet tub is made with straight grain asnaro-hiba.
Details as here below:
L1150mm x W750mm x H675mm (external dimensions) 580mm(depth) knotless natural Asnaro wood bathtub.
1) AB grade tub (quatersawn) : 410,000. JPY
2) Packaging: 135x95x88cm plywood box: 36,000. JPY
3) transportation: to be quoted (please let us know your exact address: we will provide a quotation before you purchase the tub)
Please check the drawing here for the detailed dimensions: outlet170421
This tub does not have a “back side”. It has the copper apron on both sides so we can apply the iron brand on whichever side – if you want. About the short side, you can see what I was meaning by saying that the “half-kamachi” can be used as a handle to grab and lift the tub.
The immaculate interior of the tub!
And this is the “half -kamachi” seen from the top. It makes the forner look flush (L-shaped)
If you like this tub, I recommend to contact us soon. I am sure it will not last!
Are you a moon-watcher?
Today it is matsu-yoi-no-tsuki.
Did you know it?
The day before the full moon is a special day because … we can look forward to seeing the full moon the next day!
In japan (before the advent of TV…) japanese were big fan of enjoying the change of seasons and natural processes. See below: (more…)
after a long winter, finally the sakura are blossoming here and there!
The weather has been bad in kansai area, especially on weekends, so here are some pictures that a friend sent me from Tokyo.
april 2nd:
tsubomi: beginning of blossom with prominence of florets
april 5th:
mankai: full blossom. This is actually a photo of one of my favorite hanami spots: the Meguro-gawa.
april 7th:
chiri-sakura: gorgeous. the trees are still completely white but many petals are falling on the ground. The perfect symbol for the ephemerality of beauty. The peak is also the beginning of the end.
For those of you interested, you can find all you wanted to know on sakura blossoms viewing and real time forecasts on this site:
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/en.php
details are in japanese only. Here is a collection of graphs relative to the Tokyo area:
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/area.php?city=Tokyo
If you still not have enough of sakura viewing you can migrate north little by little and enjoy the peak of cherry blossom viewing everyday!
If you are not yet in Japan, do not be sad: if you go to Hokkaido you will still be able to catch up with the cherry blossom as late as up to the mid of may!
A big thank you again to all who supported us for the hinoki aroma cards crowdfunding campaign.
This is to confirm that I shipped all the items pledged by small-package (airfreight).
There is no tracking code but you should receive the items by 3/31 at the latest. If you do not receive it, please contact me at japanbartokdesign.com
From now on the [hinoki aroma cards] are also available for purchase!
Please check in the shop. The cards are already finished with essential oil but the aroma may fade overtime. If you want to “recharge” them, remember to purchase separately the essential oil of your choice.
I am about 20days late on the original schedule but I have good news!
The hinoki aroma cards are ready and I am planning to prepare the shipments over the weekend and send early next week.
After that I will also add the actual pictures in the shop page.
But before that, I want to present here an outstanding original design and superb result:
The client is going to use the cards for a friend`s wedding.
I thought it is a great idea and it may give an inspiration to other people!
Thanking the Ms. D who kindly agreed to show the photo in this blog, I am glad to introduce here the activity of her 2 daughters.
With “Musical traces“, they bring music in the community with classical concerts in local libraries, hospitals and private homes.
Check out their youtube channel.
Not only listening to the skillfully played music is mind soothing, but seeing that the performers are mostly children is heart warming and really inspiring!
This reference is not strictly ofuro-related but I am so glad to have such wonderful clients that I cannot help wanting to let the world know about it!
Enjoy the weekend and look for the musical traces…
A short story about the Bartok design ofuros was published on the march issue of the famous british magazine “the World of interiors”!
Well, it is a little embarassing…but I did not see it yet. The issue was released on 2/12 but in Japan it was quickly sold out and is unavailable in the newstands or on amazon at the moment. I asked the editor to send me a copy but I cannot wait to see it!
Anybody has a copy? Please share!
2017.3.17 update:
I could obtain a copy. Please find below the referral to our tubs (on page 156)
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Hi to all the backers of the hinoki aroma cards campaign!
This is an update about the development: I am a little behind schedule but my laminating company made a great job and finally deivered my hinoki cards! We could use the Kiso valley hinoki and they are much more aromatic and resistant to water than any other wood veneer card I tested until now. There is another good news: I am also tasting other essences and could obtain very stable cards also from sawara wood and koyamaki! I am considering to make it possible to choose the wood essence, but it will introduce after the main product variations have been tested on the market.
I should be ready to ship towards the mid of march: sorry for making you wait. I will keep you updated.