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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.

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

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

Hinoki tub for Jakarta

Here below are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Hinoki AB grade bathtub (quartersawn)
sizes: L1400mm x W900mm x H640mm (ext. dim.) 540mm (deep)
note: wooden dowels, natural oil finish
accessories:
– Hinoki wood “Sunoko” floor grate panel 900 x 700 x H55mm
– Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)
– Sawara wood large bucket（230D 120H）
– Hygrometer (complimentary)

fragrance bags

Have you ever been in a Kyoto kimono store or even a souvenir shop and be welcomed by a heavenly smell of incense?
Japanese culture does not make large use of perfumes (as Tom Cruise found out in the “last samurai” they prefer to wash the body rather than covering the body odor with deodorants…).
But there is an exception and a reason.

In a very humid climate, the insets proliferate and japanese have learned to protect themselves and the precious kimono robes with incense. The fragrances that japanese use are very pure and refined: not too strong but very particular and have surprising insect repellent properties.

fragrance-bag

If you do not know what I am talking about, this is for you.
I am committed to bring to the world the fragrances of traditional japan.
Try to imagine checking in into your hotel room in Dubai or returning to your weekend house after few weeks.
A subtle scent of cleanliness welcomes you and when you open the first drawer of the bedroom chest the aroma becomes more intense giving you a feeling of relaxation and recalling pleasant memories.

With the collaboration of a friend and his 91 year old grandmother (owner of an old manufacture of fragrances) i decided to bring to the world of japan-lovers a collection of exquisite aroma bags made with kimono fabric and containing a mix of selected aromas.

There are 2 sizes:
the “Fragrance Bag” (in 8 colors) suitable for a wardrobe of the entrance of a beauty salon.
-> link to the shop page:
KF0007_Fragrance-Bag-Montpellier-Green

The “Personal sacket” (in 13 colors) can be kept in the car, in the pocket or in a drawer.
-> link to the shop page:
KP0003_Personal-Sachets-Olive-Green

Here are some historical notes the maker is very proud of:

“In the times of the Asuka kingdom in ancient Japan, a piece of fragrant wood washed ashore on Awaji island.
This discovery let to the beginning of the history of use of fragrant incense wood in Japan.
During the Heian period, the Japanese nobility enjoyed the burning of these incense woods.
These fragrant woods were also used to scent the traditional twelve layered ceremonial kimono.

As well as creating an aura of pleasant perfume around the wearer of the Kimono, the fragrant
woods also acted as an insect repellent.
The Japanese believed that these fragrant incense woods were able to create a sense of peace and relaxation and even to have healing homeopathic properties.
The scent from these will provide you and those around you with all the benefits and good fortune long associated with these highly praised woods.”

Feel free to contact me for any question, or just comment below.

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).

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