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Replacement ofuro in USA

The owner of a lovely hinoki tub (not ours) in front of a window decided to replace it after 10 years. The bottom shows some signs of rot even if altogether the tub appears very well maintained.
Probably the drain did not have a proper gradient and apparently it is not draining completely.
Taking advantage of the renovation they will also probably create a tiled ledge on one side of the ofuro to make it easy to sit on the border before spinning the legs and enter inside. This way they will be able to use the tub safely even when they become elderly.

Because the tub is close to a window and may be seen from the outside, we applied the copper apron on both sides.
Click on (more…) here below to see the mesmerizing inside of the tub. Can you imagine the aroma?

Also, you will find the measurements/specs and a note about “flip top” drains. (more…)

Update about indiegogo campaign

The “hinoki aroma cards” campaign had a slow start but is picking up and I am now hoping we can reach the goal! See -> https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards

ScreenShot182

We are 37% funded but have only one week left… Please spread the word!

Here below I am reporting a mail exchange I had with a fellow “japanese lover” who kindly replied to my newsletter. I think that many people feel uneasy about “crowdfunding” all together. I would like to hear everybody`s opinion about!

Question:

Hello Iacopo,
You are a very busy man….
I see your mails I see the info but I am not understanding what you are
doing?
You need venture capital for the new aroma cards from what I understand.
What market is there for the cards ? Where I am based in *****, I do
not see one, Therefore I would like to know more.
Please give me a short 1 paragraph of what you envisage.
Thanks for response when you can.
Kind regards,

*****

My answer:

Dear *****,

Thank you for your interest.
Crowdfunding is a new (not so new anymore…) system.
It is not only for raising capital. I am doing this project on indiegogo mainly for 4 reasons:

1) it helps me to promote the project (and my brand) thru social media and newsfeeds. Promoting a “product” may feel pushy but promoting a “project” is more interesting and creates involvement.

2) it helps me to study the market needs. By developing a product thru the advice and ideas of the end users, I end up with a more evolved and better targeted product.

3) if I get the campaign funded, the product itself will be more convincing as it could win the heart and obtain the commitment from many people.

4) ultimately, it helps me to broaden my avatar. I am devoted in helping the traditional crafts (not with donations, but with a new market for their skills) + I believe our society needs a more human and sensorial culture.
My activity in the production of wooden bathtubs helps me progress in both missions. But japanese crafts is not only ofuro bathtubs and I am interested in exploring new markets.

I think there is a huge market for motivational message cards.
https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=motivational+cards&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-ab&gfe_rd=cr&ei=UEV-WJ2cG6fU8AeGm6vgCg

Additionally hinoki cards allow you to bring always the aroma with you!
Also they are more resistant and noble than paper.

This is my thought.
I would appreciate to hear your opinion!
All the Best//

iacopo

How about your opinion? Please comment below!

$1 perks for the aroma cards campaign

How are you? Did you have a nice new year`s holiday?

I worked almost fully during the holiday period and it has been a busy “after the holidays” period as well.
Also for this reason, I neglected the aroma cards crowd-funding campaign which has had a slow start. Anyway, this is a project I strongly believe in and will do my best to get it funded in the 12 days I have left.
The aroma card is not just a great “amulet”, it is a vehicle, a trigger to spread to a wider audience the culture of a deeper and more “conscious” – 6 senses geared – lifestyle.

Please get involved in the campaign here: https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards

hinoki veneer

On the product development side, I am experimenting some samples of different cuts of veneer (sliced, rotary cut) etc. and washi paper. I will try which ones absorb and retain the aroma oil better.
Also about this, please check the indiegogo page for more updates.

Duty Taxes Calculation Tool

We normally ship our products with DAP conditions.

DAP (Delivered at Place) is an Incoterm that replaced the former term DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). DAP transactions require the seller to arrange and pay the transportation of the goods to a place designated by the buyer, and the buyer to pay import duties and taxes on arrival of the goods.

Previously we released a long list of the import taxes for all counties here:
https://bartokdesign.com/9-faqcomment/import_taxes.php

But while the import taxes for wooden products are free (or very low) for most of the countries, please do remember you will also have to pay VAT and may be required to pay other charges (security fees, port fees, inspection fees etc.)

There is a great site that allows you to do the (approximate) calculation of the fees necessary.

(UPDATE 2020.11.21 : the previous tool ceased to supported for free so I found a new one)
https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

note that “simplyduty” is a third party not related to us.

Bartok design should not be held responsible for any mistake/incongruity in the calculation.
Note that the 1st calculation is free, you will have to purchase a credit if you need to repeat the operation.

Use the following parameters:
Importing from: Japan
Importing to: (your country)
Shipping method: Freight
Insurance cost: 0 (zero, we already included it in the shipping cost)
Product description: Wooden Bathtub
Product category: Jacuzzis & Spas
HS code: 4421.90

Note:
I wrote about this point several times, why do we use the DAP terms?
Answer:
Our invoice includes all the fees that we can be aware of. Cost of the products, shipping and delivery charges. The local taxes and customs processing fees may vary from case to case (the customs may require an inspection, etc.) so we prefer to keep them separated and having the client paying directly the net amount at the same time as they sign the paperwork for the customs.

If we had to include the taxes in our invoice we would have 2 options:
1) Bill the minimum amount as per our forwarder`s most optimistic calculation and bill you the difference in case the shipment incurred in additional fees.
2) Bill you an amount which takes into consideration the risk for additional fees. This would become more expensive for you.

We think that option 1) is cumbersome and option 2) is unfair, this is the reason why we use the DAP terms.
Please note that we can also ship EX-WORKS terms (you appoint your own forwarder who will take care of the whole shipping process. In this case our invoice will not include any shipping cost.)

Also if you prefer, we can ship to the airport or port CFS terminal (without delivery).
You will appoint a local forwarder to take care of the customs procedures and delivery to site.

Please contact me if this explanation is not clear or for any problem/question.
-> japan@bartokdesign.com

japanese boatbuilding!

ashitenma_launch
(Photo courtesy of Simon Wearne)

Being an apostle of japanese ofuros and traditional woodworking technique enabled me to become acquainted with other fellow japan-lover “gaijins”. I correspond with Leonard Koren, Ricky Swaczy and Bruce Smith. I also have the honor of knowing the work of Douglas Brooks: a builder (or I should say “The builder”) of japanese boats.
The making of japanese bathtubs originates directly from boat building. The sawing technique, all the joinery and details (such as the use of copper plates or wood skin) are borrowed straight from the “funa-daiku” (boat carpenter) repertoire.
stern_ashitenma
(Photo courtesy of Douglas Brooks)

Brooks resides mostly in USA but travels often to Japan. He is due to come on january 10th in Takamatsu to build a boat for Ritsurin Park. Then he is planning to build a boat for a museum in Gifu prefecture in may.
I hope I can catchup with him.

Meanwhile, if you are interested to have a specific information or have a project that may require a japanese traditional boat, please let me know.

Here below are some links to Douglas works, photos and book.
http://www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com
http://blog.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/
www.instagram.com/douglasbrooksboats

chisel_ashitenma
(Photo courtesy of Douglas Brooks)

happy new year! (a life of happiness)

2017-bartokdesign-nengajo

This card consists almost entirely from material I received from a client I consider like a dear friend.

I especially like the phrase that life is precious and every moment should be lived “consciously”. The more “deliberately” you experience and feel these moments the more fully (= happily) you will enjoy this year and the years to come!

I am dedicating you also two other yo-ji-juku-go idiomatic phrases that contain facets of the same concept:

★　sho-gyou-mu-jou: all things are in flux, nothing is permanent

★　mei-kyo-shi-sui: (be) serene as a polished mirror and still water

Of course you can find the two quotations in form of hinoki wood aroma cards.

Check the indiegogo campaign here: https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards

Again, happy new year and may the 2017 bring you one step closer to the realization of your dreams!

iacopo torrini

testimonial from Germany

Dear Iacopo

Of course you can use the picture, I have added a few others. It’s difficult to take pictures because of the confined space. But one can see the puristic, minimalistic design which pervades the whole house. You will also recognize the details, like the pebbles of the river Rhine outside which mirror the pebbles of the floor of the bath (and entrance) only with a smooth surface; or the windows without windowsills, so that the window reveals become the frame for the picture landscape.

The smell of the Hinoki bath is still overwhelming! If not in use I cover it with a light plastic foil and put a small bucket with some water inside to keep the smell. And when I lift it off it, I am at once somewhere else with my thoughts. It’s just great, the best decision ever. Even my visitors notice the smell as soon as entering the house.

Beside lots of bamboo, 3 japanese cherry trees I planted a Ginkgo. The leaves are down by now but some are captured in the Sumi-e I have attached

I wish you all the best for all your extensive and prudent efforts, especially in rescuing most valuable buildings. I have enormous respect for your engagements.

Anke – Germany

(other photos below)
(more…)

other photos from Australia

Our client R. sent us more pictures of his superb house in Apollo Bay, Victoria.
Apparently it is available as a kind of Air B&B so if you are in the area you may want to experience the house with great open views and the japanese bathtub!
http://www.greatoceanroadholidays.com.au/accommodation/2064

More pictures below
(more…)

final version for the aroma cards!

With the help of many advice and insight I received thru friends and comments by mail and thru the google survey I think our aroma cards took the right shape!
161222-yojijukugo12-cards-set2

161222-yojijukugo12-cards-set1
This super-seeds the previous posts.

1) for this edition, I will focus on japanese idiomatic expression “yojijukugo”

2) 6 cards make one set (priced as 5 cards so one card is free. All old perks will be upgraded.)

3) 2 sets are available. It is also possible to have 6 cards with the same message. Let me know.

4) To avoid accidents the corners are rounded (5mm radius)

This is it for now! Please go to the indiegogo page to understand about the development of the idea and this campaign!

yojijukugo cards simulation!

Well, I think this does not need may explanations.
I tried to make a simulation with the yojijukugo idea and I love it!
Please let me know what you think.
I am now considering to prepare 3 sets of aroma cards with mixed messages.
Of course it is possible to get the 3 sets and assort the full collection.

I do not want to make more than 12 because of the costs of productions.
But please let me know if there are some you like or some you do not so I might replace them.

set 1 includes the cards ABCD
set 2 includes the cards EFGH
set 3 includes the cards IJKL

Please check https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards
for more details!

161217-twelve-yojijukugo