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hisashiburi outlet tub – sold out!

sorry, sold out!

In japan we say “o-hisashiburi” when we meet after a long time.
It has been more than a year we did not make tubs for the outlet corner so this naming seemed a nice fit…

It is a straight grain hinoki tub, please find the details here below:
L1200mm x W760mm x H725mm (external dimensions) 630mm(depth) semi-knotless (small knots on the back side) natural Hinoki wood bathtub.

1) AB grade tub (quatersawn) : 540,000. JPY
2) Packaging: 1400x960x930 plywood box: 39,000. 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: outlet160519

Here are 2 features:
* It is quite deep so you can have the hot water up to your shoulders
* The material we used is very aromatic so even when not in use you can enjoy the nice aroma!

Testimonial from Israel

Dear Iacopo,
We bought an Ofuro from you about 2 years ago and finally installed it. It is wonderful – beautifully crafted and elegant and wonderfully relaxing.
Thank you
E.N.S. from Israel

hinoki products pamphlets are ready!

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Finally we gave birth to the first Bartok design pamphlet.
Since we sell mainly outside of japan and tru the internet, until now I always procrastinated but now I will be finally able to satisfy all the requests of friends wanting to present the Bartok design tubs and accessories to trade shows, friends and clients.
There are also several hotels catering to international clientele who asked me some presentation material in the past.

If you need some pamphlets or want to promote the Bartok design products (contact iacopo torrini for details) let us know!

We have been caught in the NET… (Server problems)

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Dear japan lovers community:

As you might have noticed,

our server was down on on 5/9 and 5/10 for about 20 hours.

If you contacted us by email but are not receiving an answer, please contact us again.
We have been caught in the NET…
Also, I noticed our japanese IP address has problems with some hotmail and gmail accounts.

If your messages are returned, please use the alternative address as below:
iax1213[at]gmail[dot]com

By the way, the image on the top are koi-nobori (flying carps). Did you know?
Every family displays (or used to…) this fish shaped flags in front of their house. One carp for each family member, starting from the father and mother on top and following with all the children in order of age.
The festival culminates on 5/5, a festivity dedicated to children.
The carp is a divine creature and brings good auspices to the kids as they may avoid obstacles and swim thru life in a cheerful way.
Of course the mild weather and blue skies of may are even more pleasant with these colorful ornaments which move together with the wind!

But … lets go back to work now.
For all of you who missed us (I received 3 messages on facebook) sorry again and YES, I am looking forward to working with you and remain at your disposal for any question/problem.
All the Best!
—
Bartok design Japan Co.
Manager: Iacopo Torrini
—————————-
cell.: +81-90-8205-1200
iax1213[at]gmail[dot]com
—————————-

(click on the photo below to open the related blog entry)

asnaro doubleseater for Odessa

This is the first Bartok design tub going to Ukraine.

The client had problems in contacting us and for some reason the e-mails were bouncing off from the server. But she used an alternative email and we could define the details in few rounds.

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Here are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB (quarter sawn)

sizes: L1400mm x W800 x H685mm (ext. dim.)

details: nat. oil apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right.

options: asnaro wood internal seat W400mm, asnaro wood traditional cover 820x200x18 (5pcs)

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The tub was shipped thru a forwarder appointed by the client. We arranged for the pickup directly from our packing company which is already very close to Narita airport.

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It is a perfect tub for 2 people. I hope the clients can have relaxing chats and enjoy the fresh aroma of japanese wood it for many years to come! Of course the seats can be quickly removed for a deep plunge japanese style soaking experience.

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asnaro tub for Dallas

Compact and cute asnaro bathtub ordered thru an architectural office in Texas.
From the first request of information to shipping it took 1 month exactly so I can say it was a smooth order process.
The client is going to use it in a master bathroom remodel and after the initial quotation, we modified the corner joints from metal plates to wooden dowels and added an overflow cut on the short side.

Here below are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn)
sizes: L900mm x W700 x H710mm (ext. dim.)
note: natural oil apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right
accessories:
– Asnaro wood internal seat W300mm
– Asnaro wood traditional cover 720x180x18 (5pcs)
– Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
– Sawara wood large bucket（230D　120H）:
– Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H)

Survey about yukata: RESULTS

We received 26 votes thru the survey form and one via email.

Here is a summary of the results:
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The Yoshiwara design won with ample advantage
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Yes, I think we will apply the logo on the bottom corner
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Almost a dual match between navy and red. I think we will provide the two options for you to choose!
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We will develop one or two patterns of yukata bathrobe and will keep remain open to any further comment or advice you may have! All the Best//

Getting ready for the next production of special reserve oil

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In the pictures above you can see about 800 Kg. of scraps of kiso hinoki wood.
I am going to distillate this material for the second harvest of special reserve hinoki essential oil.
To my knowledge, there is no maker producing oil from 250 (and over) year old hinoki wood.
As we could experiment in the first harvest (autumn 2014) the scent is superb, less forest like and more spicy than commercial grade hinoki essential oil (usually made with 70-90 year old lumber)

Before bottling the production, I want to offer a special deal to the heavy users and commercial users.
I will sell about half of the total in 100ml bottles at 12,000 JPY (*) per bottle.or 10 bottles for 100,000 JPY (*).

(*) NOTE: this price was valid for the 2016 yield. for current prices please refer to this entry: https://bartokdesign.com/all-category/new-yield-of-hinoki-oil.php

Compare to the 4500JPY in case of the 10cc individual package bottle with drip cap!
It is almost 1/5 the price!

If interested please contact me at: japan@bartokdesign.com

karakami wall panels

Do you know the “washi” hand made paper from japan?
There are many qualities of translucent, ivory colored, naturally textured, wabisabi rice papers from japan.
Washi was used for writing, for everyday items, for shoji panels and even as a wall covering.
Very good.

Second question: do you know the paper used for fusuma doors?

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It is also based on washi paper but it is hand printed or hand painted and comes in a large single sheet roughly of the size of a tatami. Well, in japan there are many washi types with their proud history and characteristics.

But there is only one fusuma paper which is standing out from the rest: the fusuma paper for excellence is the karakami paper from Kyoto. There are several plain color bases made of smooth “torinoko” washi on which the pattern is hand printed with woodenblocks. The color consists of natural pigments and inks on a pearl-like mica base. The effect is very stilish: it is perfect and elegant but has some irregularities peculiar of the hand printing.

We went to Kyoto for you to Maruni, one of the most famous maker of karakami paper and owner of a collection of thousands of original woodblocks.

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Here below is the detail of a woodblock. As you can see the image itself is hand carved. The block is moved with speed and precision to create large patterns.

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I was stroken at the modern beauty of a handprint made with use of black “urushi” lacquer. (see below)

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Of course if you visit Maruni you just feel like you want to buy everything… but there was an item that I felt particularly suitable for the japan-lovers allover the world: decorative panels made of pleated karakami.

The panels are quite small and can be easily shipped with EMS. They can hang on walls and used for decoration of small rooms. I thought it is ideal for a present and bought some to send to friends and family.

If you like them too, take a look in the bartok design shop.

The panels are packaged in an elegant box, wrapped in rice paper and accompanied with a certificate of guarantee.

There is a short video to watch on Google Arts & Culture.

Hinoki tub for Jakarta