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Survey for new product: YUKATA ROBES

For 13 years, almost weekly I have been posed the following question:
“do you also carry yukata robes?” (The type of casual kimono you use while in your room in the ryokan or after taking a plunge in a onsen).

In a world regurgitating with products…, I just though it was best for me to concentrate on one I was able to fully design and develop: custom made japanese ofuro.
I was honored to have been recognized and trusted by thousands as an ambassador of the japanese style bathing and I was comfortable in my niche.

But things are going to change.

While living in Japan, I have a privileged communication channel with a wide community of japan-lovers around the globe: this circumstance is not only bless but also a responsibility.

I feel more and more like I have a moral obligation to exit my comfort zone and provide more value to all of you who are trying to graft a slice of japan into your lives.
For this reason, I decided to start a new product line: wear.

Of course the first product of the list will be the long awaited yukata robes.
And I will need your help.
To provide the type of yukata you are looking for, I will need your opinion: the selection I will propose will be based on the survey below.
I will be grateful if you will share with me your thoughts!
It is a simple google survey consisting of 3 main and 3 sub-questions and takes from 30 to 60 seconds to complete.
The survey is anonymous but I will extract 3 of you and present a brand new yukata! (I will contact the winners thru the mailing list using their nicknames)

Please refer to the photos below the survey box. Thank you in advance for your time and precious advice!
NOTE: Feel free to repeat the survey to record the opinionof your family members as well!


(please fill in the survey in the box above)


Question a: which type of wear you may be interested in?

(indicate the level of interest for each option)

yukata bathrobe
No.01 tatekan

matsuri yukata
yukata matsuri

jinbei
jinbei

formal kimono
formal kimono


Question b: in case of yukata, which design do you like?

#01 Tatekan
No.01 tatekan

#02 kusari
No.02 kusari

#03 Yoshiwara
03-daiwa-yoshiwara

#04 Renga
04-renga

#05 Take
05-takegara

#06 Shippou
06-shippou

#07 Matsubishi
08-matsubishi

#08 Genjikou
11-genjikou

#09 Fuchidori Ogi
13huchidoriougi

#10 Orizuru
15-oriduru

#11 Hanakasumi
16-hanakasumi

#12 Matsuba Koma
19-matsuba-koma


Question c: Where do you prefer the bartokdesign brand logo?

on the chest

near the feet

Question d: which material/color you like for the obi belt?

Red/plain

Navy/plain

Yellow/knitted

Green/knitted

Brown/knitted

Stripes


(please fill in the survey in the box above)


Validity of the quotation

I am going to purchase an ofuro in 6 months from now. Will the quotation still be valid?
Please note that the quotation is valid 1 month.
Unless there are major market changes, our prices do not vary, although shipping charges may fluctuate according to oil and local currency exchange rate variations.
Let me know when you are ready to finalize the order and I will provide an updated invoice at that time.

sorry for the TYPO…

Dear subscribers to the Bartokdesign mailing list,

Sorry for the typo in the mail I sent you few hours ago.
Although I am using an automated system, I personally write the text to 1050 subscribers.
Receiving a personal mail … addressed to “Dear {!firstname_fix},” must have been a terrible experience.
I deeply apologize and hope you give me one more chance.

Yours sincerely,

Bartok design Japan Co.
Manager: Iacopo Torrini
—————————-
e-mail: japan@bartokdesign.com
tel: +81-78-262-6811
fax: +81-78-262-7151
cell.: +81-90-8205-1200
—————————-

cold plunge hinoki tub

As the title says, this tub will be used for a cold water plunge so it does not have an internal seat.

The tub was ordered thru a very collabotarive architecture office and we had a positive and efficient exchange of information back and forth.
This is something we have to thank the technology for…
On the other hand, the tub itself is 100% analogic.
Even though for box type tubs we can build precisely (tolerance of +/-1mm) a round tub of this size may have a tolerance of +/-10mm!

There is a saying that round tubs do not close if they are built by calculation.
A round tub is beautiful (and functional) only if it is built with the heart!

Here below are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Hinoki cypress AB grade bathtub (quartersawn)
sizes: Dia 1220mm x H958mm (external dimensions) 838mm(deep)
details: stainless steel bands
accessories:
– Hinoki wood step stool W500mm x D400mm x H400mm
– Complimentary hygrometer

KNOTTY HINOKI FOR MOM TOO

We made a similar tub for a californian client in 2009.
His mother apparently likes the tub too so we received another order: same shape, same size, same material.

There is one problem though: the double slanted tub we made in 2009 was a hit. It was published on an american interior design magazine and was featured in a japanese TV program.
The wood knots pattern -unpredictable by nature- was very well balanced: powerful and refined at the same time.

The problem is this: can we make a tub with a knot pattern that is at least as nice as the son’s?
We do not want to be the cause of family jealousy…

But yes: the miracle happened twice! The tub is as beautiful (if not even more) as the 2009 one: compare yourself.
What do you think? Feel free to use the comments field below to share your thoughts.

Here below are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Hinoki cypress K grade bathtub (knotty)
sizes: L1320mm x W685mm x H660mm (ext. dim.) 546mm (deep)
details: nat. oil apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right
accessories:Hygrometer

tub for 2 people

Hi There,
I am from Canada and am interested in your tubs and wonder which ones are suitable for 2 people soaking at the same time. I see the Outlet Round Tub on your site. Is that suitable for 2 people? Are Ofuro tubs normally made for 2 people?

It depends on the size of the tub and … how intimate are the 2 people using the tub.
The round outlet tub is 3ft in diameter (external size) so I think it works best for one person.

You may make a test in a tub you own or create a mockup in your living room using a corner of the room and the back of a sofa, or some cardboard boxes to simulate the size.
We can build the size to match your specs so it can fit your needs/space in the most efficient way.

We are looking forward to working with you and remain at you disposal for any question/problem.

insurance and guarantee

For the insurance I understand from your webpage that for transportation the stuff is insured and it needs to be checked within a certain period after arrival.
And there is a 1year guarantee on manufacturing work, guess this means cases where eg. dowels break or cases like that?

Shipping insurance: as you say, it is included, in case there is any problem just be sure to report it asap. Just for your reference, until now we did not have one single damage report.

Guarantee: please note that we cannot provide a guarantee on hinoki tubs.
The wood is very sensitive to environmental conditions and we cannot be responsible for any damage caused by dryness, mold or detergents.
We will do our best to assist with any problem, but are simply not able to implement the conditions for a guarantee on the product.

Of course if there is a construction problem or execution miss we will repair or replace the tub.
Please note that in over 12 years (201 tubs delivered worldwide) we replaced one tub (non compatible water-repellent) and repaired one (dead knot).

import taxes

Is the standard portion of taxes already included in the quotation and only potential additional charges, taxes etc. may occur? Or do we need to estimate additional tax cost for sure? If yes, whats your experience when shipping to Germany?

The quick answer is: for Germany the import tax on wooden items is 0%. The VAT is 19%.
For people who want to know more: please find here the master chart:
everything you always wanted to know about import taxes … and never dared to ask!
Please note that we export wooden tubs with the following customs HS code: 4421.90

Import

HS commodity

MFN duty

Sales

Additional duties &

country

code

rate

tax

taxes

Algeria

4421.90.90

30%

17%

 

Andorra

4421.90.9790

0%

4.50%

 

Antigua And Barbuda

4421.90.90

20%

15%

Customs service tax (CST) (10% CIF)

Argentina

4421.90.00900X

35%

21%

Statistical fee (0.5% CIF)

Aruba

4421.90.20

12%

No sales tax

 

Australia

4421.90.0030

5%

10%

Import Processing Charge (AU$48.85)

Austria

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

Azerbaijan>

4421.90.9800

15%

18%

 

Azores

4421.90.9790

0%

18%

 

Bahrain

4421.90.99

5%

No sales tax

 

Bangladesh

4421.90.90

25%

15%

Supplementary Duty (SD) (0% CIFD)

Regulatory Duty (RD) (4% (CIFD + Supplementary Duty (SD)))

AIT(Advance Income Tax) (5% CIFD)

Barbados

4421.90.90

20%

17.50%

 

Belarus

4421.90.9800

10.50%

20%

 

Belgium

4421.90.9790

0%

21%

 

Belize

4421.90.90

20%

12.50%

Environmental Levy (2% CIF)

Bermuda

4421.90.0

22.25%

No sales tax

 

Bolivia

4421.90.90000

40%

14.94%

 

Bosnia And Herzegovina

4421.90.9700

5%

17%

Customs record keeping charge (1% CIF)

Botswana

4421.90.906

20%

12%

 

Brazil

4421.90.00

14%

Depends on province

Airport fee (50% (Storage fee + Handling fee))

Storage fee (1% CIFD)

Handling fee (BRL0.015 per KG)

Declaration fee (BRL30.00)

IPI (0% CIFD)

PIS PASEP COFINS tax ((11.75% (CIF * (1 + ICMS%) * (Duty% + IPI% * (1 + Duty%)))) / (0.9075 * (1 – ICMS%)))

Brunei Darussalam

4421.90.99

0%

No sales tax

 

Bulgaria

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

Burundi

4421.90.00

25%

18%

Administrative Licence Fee (0.5% CIF)

Security Tax (1.15% CIF)

Cambodia

4421.90.99

15%

10%

Special tax ()

Canada

4421.90.9099

6%

Depends on province

 

Canary Islands

4421.90.9790

0%

3%

 

Cayman Islands

4421.90.00

22%

No sales tax

 

Chile

4421.90.90

6%

19%

Classification Charge (1% CIF)

China

4421.90.9090

0%

17%

 

Colombia

4421.90.9000

0%

16%

 

Costa Rica

4421.90.9090

14%

13%

Golfito Tax (Tourism development tax) (18% CIFD)

Law 6946 (National Emergency Law) (1% CIFD)

Croatia

4421.90.9790

0%

25%

 

Cyprus

4421.90.9790

0%

19%

 

Czech Republic

4421.90.9790

0%

21%

 

Denmark

4421.90.9790

0%

25%

 

Dominica

4421.90.90

20%

15%

Customs service charge (3% CIF)

Dominican Republic

4421.90.90

20%

18%

 

Ecuador

4421.90.90

20%

12%

FodInfa (Children development fund) (0.5% CIF)

ICE (Consumption Tax) (0% CIFD)

Egypt

4421.90.90

10%

10%

 

El Salvador

4421.90.90

15%

13%

 

Estonia

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

Finland

4421.90.9790

0%

24%

 

France

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

French Guiana

4421.90.9790

0%

No sales tax

 

Germany

4421.90.9790

0%

19%

 

Gibraltar

4421.90.000

12%

No sales tax

 

Greece

4421.90.9790

0%

23%

 

Grenada

4421.90.90

20%

15%

Customs service charge (CSC) (5% CIF)

Guadeloupe

4421.90.9790

0%

8.50%

 

Guatemala

4421.90.90

15%

12%

 

Guernsey

4421.90.9790

0%

No sales tax

 

Guyana

4421.90.90

20%

16%

 

Honduras

4421.90.9000

15%

15%

 

Hong Kong

4421.90.00

0%

No sales tax

 

Hungary

4421.90.9790

0%

27%

 

Iceland

4421.90.29

10%

24%

 

India

4421.90.90

10%

No sales tax

Landing charges (1% CIF)

Countervailing duty (12.5% (CIFD + Landing charges))

CESS (3% (Duty + CEX (Education & Higher Education CESS) + Countervailing duty))

Additional Countervailing Duty (4% (CIFD + Landing charges + Countervailing duty + CESS + CEX (Education & Higher Education CESS)))

Indonesia

4421.90.9900

5%

10%

Income tax (15% CIFD)

Iran

4421.90.90

22%

8%

 

Ireland

4421.90.9790

0%

23%

 

Isle of Man

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

Israel

4421.90.90

0%

17%

Import port fee (US$50.31 Import port fee if weight more 50 kg per shipment)

Italy

4421.90.9790

0%

22%

 

Jamaica

4421.90.90

20%

16.50%

Standard compliance fee (SCF) (0.3% CIF)

Environmental levy (0.5% CIF)

Japan

4421.90.999

2.90%

8%

LVS (5%)

Jersey

4421.90.9790

0%

5%

 

Jordan

4421.90.90

30%

16%

 

Kazakhstan

4421.90.9800

10.50%

12%

 

Kenya

4421.90.00

25%

16%

Import Declaration Fee (2.25% CIF)

Kuwait

4421.90.99

5%

No sales tax

 

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

4421.90.99

20%

10%

 

Latvia

4421.90.9790

0%

21%

 

Lebanon

4421.90.90 

5%

10%

 

Lesotho

4421.90.906

20%

14%

 

Liechtenstein

4421.90.00

0% + CHF14.00 per 100 kg

8%

 

Lithuania

4421.90.9790

0%

21%

 

Luxembourg

4421.90.9790

0%

17%

 

Macau

4421.90.90

0%

No sales tax

 

Madeira

4421.90.9790

0%

22%

 

Malaysia

4421.90.990

20%

6%

 

Maldives

4421.90.0010

10%

6%

 

Malta

4421.90.9790

0%

18%

 

Martinique

4421.90.9790

0%

8.50%

 

Mayotte

4421.90.9790

0%

No sales tax

 

Mexico

4421.90.99

15%

16%

DTA (0.8% CIFD)

Monaco

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

Montserrat

4421.90.90

20%

No sales tax

 

Morocco

4421.90.9090

25%

20%

Timber tax (12% CIF)

Parafiscal tax (0.25% CIF)

Myanmar

4421.90.9900

15%

No sales tax

 

Namibia

4421.90.906

20%

15%

 

Netherlands

4421.90.9790

0%

21%

 

New Zealand

4421.90.1919H

5%

15%

Import entry transaction fee (NZ$49.24)

Nicaragua

4421.90.9090

15%

15%

 

Nigeria

4421.90.9900

20%

5%

Excise (20%)

Norway

4421.90.09

0%

25%

 

Oman

4421.90.99

5%

No sales tax

 

Pakistan

4421.90.90

20%

17%

 

Panama

4421.90.99

10%

7%

 

Paraguay

4421.90.00

14%

10%

 

Peru

4421.90.9000

6%

16%

Additional fee (0% CIFD)

Municipal tax (2% (CIFD + Excise + Tariff surcharge))

Philippines

4421.90.99

10%

12%

 

Poland

4421.90.9790

0%

23%

 

Portugal

4421.90.9790

0%

23%

 

Puerto Rico

4421.90.9780

3.30%

7.25%

 

Qatar

4421.90.99

5%

No sales tax

 

Reunion

4421.90.9790

0%

8.50%

 

Romania

4421.90.9790

0%

24%

 

Russian Federation

4421.90.9800

10.50%

18%

 

Rwanda

4421.90.00

25%

18%

Withholding tax (5% CIF)

Saint Kitts And Nevis

4421.90.90

20%

17%

 

Saint Lucia

4421.90.90

20%

15%

Service charge (6% CIF)

Saint Martin

4421.90.9790

0%

No sales tax

 

Saint Vincent And

The Grenadines

4421.90.90

20%

15%

Customs service charge (5% CIF)

San Marino

4421.90.9790

0%

No sales tax

 

Saudi Arabia

4421.90.99

5%

No sales tax

 

Serbia

4421.90.9700

10%

20%

 

Singapore

4421.90.99

0%

7%

 

Slovakia

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

Slovenia

4421.90.9790

0%

22%

 

South Africa

4421.90.906

20%

14%

 

South Korea

4421.90.9000

8%

10%

 

Spain

4421.90.9790

0%

21%

 

Sri Lanka

4421.90.90

25%

11%

Import Cess (Rs50.00 per kg)

PAL (Ports and Airport Levy) (5% CIF)

Surcharge (15% Duty)

Social Responsibility Levy (SRL) (1.5% (Duty + Surcharge + Excise))

Suriname

4421.90.90

20%

10%

Consent law (1.5% CIF)

Statistics law (0.5% CIF)

Swaziland

4421.90.906

20%

14%

 

Sweden

4421.90.9790

0%

25%

 

Switzerland

4421.90.00

0% + CHF14.00 per 100 kg

8%

 

Taiwan (ROC)

4421.90.90005

0%

5%

Trade promotion fee (0.04% CIF)

Tanzania

4421.90.00

25%

18%

 

Thailand

4421.90.99000

20%

7%

 

Trinidad And Tobago

4421.90.90

20%

15%

 

Turkey

4421.90.970000

0%

18%

 

Turks And Caicos Islands

4421.90.9

30%

No sales tax

 

Uganda

4421.90.00

25%

18%

Withholding tax (6% CIF)

Ukraine

4421.90.9800

0%

20%

 

United Arab Emirates

4421.90.99

5%

No sales tax

 

United Kingdom

4421.90.9790

0%

20%

 

United States

4421.90.9780

3.30%

Depends on state

Merchandise Processing Fee ()

Uruguay

4421.90.00

14%

22%

Consular fee (2% CIF)

Venezuela

4421.90.0090

14%

12%

 

Vietnam

4421.90.99

25%

10%

 

order summary

Thank-you for your interest in our hinoki products!
As a general reference, please note the following:

  • All our tubs are custom built as per our client`s order. We can produce any shape, any size.
  • If you let us know your requirements/shape/size we can prepare a quote.
  • All our tubs are produced in Japan and the lead time is 60 days from confirmed order to delivery on site.
  • We do not have agents or distributors in your country. You will have to contact us in Japan.
  • You are welcome to visit us at our warehouse in Tokyo to see sample tubs and the hinoki wood.
  • We will not be able to install the tub on site nor recommend anybody near you.
  • The installation is very straightforward as the tub already comes assembled in one piece.
  • We use only the metric system. All dimensions must be specified in millimeters. (note: 1″=25.4mm)
  • We cannot supply any jet/recirculation system. Please see also the FAQ’s for reference.
  • As an example, we can offer the size 1515x915xH725mm (one of the most popular for the US) for 6600-US$
  • There is some cost reduction for width under 800mm (straight border, see the details page)
  • Shipping cost is around 1500 US$ door to door for the US. We can make a precise estimate together with the quote for the tub.
  • All expenses are prepaid, but in some cases it is easier to have you fill the customs import declaration which costs around 250US$.
  • If you want we can use your forwarder, you can arrange to pick up the tub at our ware house in Tokyo.
  • Cost of wooden crate is about 400 US$.

★You may also want to take a look at the documentation on our download page:
https://bartokdesign.com/download
especially the first item on the list (custom bathtubs order guide (pdf))

Our service include custom CAD drawings and assistance. We are looking forward to collaborate with you and welcome any question you may have.

tradition + performance

hinoki bath tubthe hinoki bathtub is basically like a large basinet which sits on the floor. The faucet is usually wall mounted or ledge mounted so no adaption is needed. The drain is in most cases not connected with any fitting: the water just flows on the floor towards a floor drain. Installation of an hinoki bath is simple and straightforward.
no waterproofing for 1st floor installation ->

We usually have a couple of standard tubs in stock, but we recommend you to have your bath-tub made to order to your specifications.
We will be able to customize the tub, match your desired dimensions, choose your preferred wood essence at no extra cost.
We will provide you with detailed CAD drawigs and personalized installation instructions. We also provide technical assistance, and a 1-year guarantee against manufacture defects.
Please read below for more informations or feel free to contact us for any inquiry:

japan(at)bartokdesign.com
tel. +81-90-820-512-00 (mon-fri 9-19 JST)
fax. +81-78-262-7151

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