5 – WOOD DOWELS (DABO)
The 42mm thick hinoki slabs are joined in such a way (T-joint) that the more permeable head of the plank is completely protected. The “dabo” is a good choice for a softer, natural look.6 – COPPER PLATES
Technique typical of the Tokyo (Edo) area. Each plate covers a long stainless steel screw which solidly connects the front with the side planks.
7 – COPPER DETAIL
We cover the joints with a copper plate “kugikakushi”, the original technique developed from the ship construction. The copper turns green aftertime.8 – IRON BRAND
We apply a hot-iron seal with our brand logo. Usually we propose to place it on the long side, towards the top right corner.
9 – FINISHING
The inside and outside of the bath-tub is planed by hand to obtain a silky smooth surface.We do not need sealants or any chemical product.10 – FITTINGS
We attach accessories, the drain fitting if requested and apply our iron brand. Please look in the details section for how to personalize your tub. At this stage we also take pictures of the tub and send to you by e-mail for your review and approval.
11 – WRAPPING
The bathtub is protected with airproof wrapping: this is important to preserve the natural humidity of wood during shipment.12 – SHIPMENT
The hinoki tub and accessories are prepared for shipment in custom built sturdy non-coniferous wood boxes. We arrange the shipment (air or sea-freight) according to your preference and size of box.
It will be our care to contact you with a personalized price quotation and provide all the information you requsted.
If you prefer to contact us by e-mail, feel free to contact us at: japan{at}bartokdesign.com for any general question.
Please allow few days for the answer.
We might discard without answer emails for the following reasons:
the return email address is not specified or is incorrect!
careless, non motivated or widely incomplete requests
Also, some legitimate emails may get caught in the spam filter. If you do not hear from us please resend or contact us by fax at (+81) 78 – 262 – 7151.
We appreciate your kind understanding.
9 – TRADITIONAL COVER
The traditional tub cover consists of thin separated planks of wood. This type is easy to store as the planks can be piled up. When the lid is used to prevent the water from cooling down (which is the normal use in Japan) planks tend to warp overtime. It is a common practice to use them upside-down alternatively to prevent the warping.10 – LID WITH HANDLES
We can also propose a lid in 2 pieces with handles. (easier to use but takes more space when stored) This will be more costly.
Design and propostions are arranged to have a nice balance with the tub. But first of all ask yourself: do I really need a tub cover?
11 – internal seat
If required, we can equip the tub with an internal seat. This is recommended only for tubs that are enough deep or enough long. The seat should be fixed otherwise it would float. It is not reccomendable to use removable planks/stools inside the tub as it would definately scrath the bottom and walls of the tub, besides originating rot on the edges of the seat.12 – REMOVABLE SEAT
Overwhelmed by many requests, we can now propose a removable type bench. We have 2 wooden lateral guides and a thick plank as a seat. The plank has some play to allow for natural dilatation and shrinking of wood. 2 plugs with chains prevent the seat from floating… Analogic but very practical!
At Bartok design, we specialize in the design and manufacture of genuine Japanese soaking tubs, ofuro – made in Japan by our trusted craftsmen from sustainably harvested indigenous Japanese wood. For almost twenty years we have exported our tubs to residential homes, individuals and architects, as well as to commercial properties such as spas and hotels. We look forward to designing an ofuro tub for you.
All of our ofuro are custom-made and made to order. Use the inquiry form to contact us, email us or message us through Facebook. Links are at the bottom of the page. We speak English, Japanese and Italian.
We have two standard tubs which we try to keep in stock. If you need an ofuro in a hurry, these are your best option with a choice of just two sizes. Check the specifications here.
A master bedroom to die for, Bartok design ofuro Freestanding Tub, Capetown
A BATHROOM WITH A VIEW:
there is only one way to wash away the stress
and toxins of our technological world:
going back to simplicity.
Our recipe for full relaxation and well being is
ONE BATH A DAY: as long as you do it surrounded
by natural materials, in an aromatic mist of fresh
fragrances and healing oils.
Simple is Heaven for body and mind. hinoki bath tub and accessories ready for shipping ->
THE SMALLEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE
You might enjoy a big car or spacious home: you will be surprised how pleasing can be to spend hours in a 3 square meter room (30 s.f.). Even in a very compact 160x160cm (5’x5′) bath-unit, where you can be completely surrounded by nature and soothing natural scents is enough to make the most of your relaxing time. You might read a book while soaking in the warm water or just enjoy a serene landscape out of the window, you will come out rejuvenated, relaxed, healed. No doubt about it. You find it difficult to imagine? Please take a look at our introductory page.
This miracle is called hinoki bath. We work with multiple craftsmen in Japan who are producing hinoki bath-tubs for generations.
They are built with care, professionality and passion. And they are more affordable than the products offered by larger factories, loaded by sales commissions and promotional costs.
The main differences in using a craftsman are: your bath-tub will be handmade, custom as per your specification, using the best quality material. And it will be cheaper than industrial
ones. Bartok design offers you this option that is not normally on the market and definitely not available to overseas customers.
But you will need to make some choices. Scrolling down the page, you will be able to consider:
The resulting bathtub is the one that matches your needs and taste.
Please submit us the quotation form so we can prepare a personalized cost estimate without any obligation from your side. Let`s start:
13 – DRAIN
The standard solution is a rubber plug with chain. It might be not the slickest design but it is safe, standard and easy to use. We can supply 2 types of drain fitting (see here to the right) More stilish alternatives include stainless plugs button operated but this require coordination on site. You are welcome to find a better drain from a plumber near you. Remember that hinoki planks can be 33mm or 42mm thick.
About the plug itself, we can also supply a spherical rubber plug (option) see also: https://bartokdesign.com/all-category/spherical_drain_plug_1.php14 – DRAIN FITTING
The drain can be directly connected to the plumbing or can discharge into the waterproof pan.
We can install the drain or if you feel uncomfortable to decide a location now, we can provide you the fitting and have you drill the hole on site. This allows for precise coordination with the site and last minute change of mind. Since the planks are made of solid wood, it will be an easy job for your carpenter. Location: consider that if you have the drain in the middle of the tub, there is no place to attach the chain to. Also, it might be easily stepped on when entering the tub.
SHORT TYPE
Short type fitting ends with a brass nut. Discharge is uncostrained and is applied usually when there is a waterproof pan (under the tub) and then towards a floor drain. Please find here an enlarged detail of the fitting. See also a scale drawing here.16 – LONG TYPE
Long type ends in a female socket (50mm, thread 1 1/2″) so you can connect it to the drain. This socket is not longer than the thickness of the batten, so it will not reach the floor, even if you do not connect it to the drain pipe. See a detailed photo here. See also a scale drawing.
HINOKI (Chamaecyparis obtusa) durability and sublime fragrance
hinoki: white/pinkish, with a delicate lemon scented aroma. More expensive and lightweight. Japanese are crazy for hinoki because of its “pure” image. Hinoki is the “prince of japanese wood.”
Hinoki means literally “tree of fire” as it was used antically to spark a fire, thanks to its dry nature. Hinoki is the material used to build castles and shrines, to carve sculptures or noh masks, it has almost a sacred status among japanese woods.
As hinoki has an excellent dimensional stability and durability, it has been traditionally the first choice for the bearing structure of a house. Still today hinoki is widely used in construction, expecially for the parts which are connected with the “life and soul” of the building: columns and foundations. Hinoki grows straight, like a telephone pole. The grain is very compact and prevents the penetration of insects. Please find more details in the introductory pages.
ASNARO/HIBA (Thujopsis dolabrata)superior resistance to water and insects
asnaro: yellow/honey color. It has a stronger forest aroma. 20% cheaper than hinoki. Easier to maintain (because is slightly tanned and because contains more hinokitiol). Popular for export for its color and cost-performance. Asnaro is the “shogun of japanese wood”.
Asnaro, also known as hiba wood is harvested in the Northern provice of Aomori. For the sake of example, we can say it is quite similar in color and aroma to the north american Yellow Cedar, anyway it has in its active principles “hinokithiol” (a terpenoid with high germicidal which is contained only in asian cedar wood or in american red cedar).
In construction it is traditionally used to manufacture railings, windows and windows sills thanks to its great resistance to weathering, humidity and to the absence of knots.
Asnaro turns to a light tobacco color as it ages.
Which one to choose?
Consider that straight hinoki is the most beautiful because of white-pink color and elegant grain. On the other hand its candity will show earlier the signs of time and of use.
When our clients are in doubt, we recommend Asnaro wood. Its color is a warm straw-color and any stain/scrath will be less visible. Asnaro is also the most resistant against termites. Lastly, if you like the knotless look but want to find a cheaper alternative, Asnaro wood is actually available only in the knotless variety.
17 – WALL MOUNTED SPOUT
This can be fixed to the wall of laid on the tub edge.The spout is easily inspectable for mainenance. The wood rim forms a kind of a dam in order to distribute water evenly in a thin layer from the wide spout. This detail is hidden inside the spout head. Plumbing is same as floor mounted type.18 – FLOOR MOUNTED SPOUT
Basically you can feed the H&C water pipes (or premixed water) into the spout consisting of a wooden box with a “beek” sloping outwards. Plumbing will not be visible. Please be aware that this shape (column type) will be quite expensive.
19 – SPOUT SHAPES
A wall mounted spout costs about 700~800 USD (both for hinoki and asnaro) You can find here some shapes for your reference (pdf download). If you send us a sketch, we can build a spout as per your custom request. 20 – SPOUT CHECKLIST
Every situation is different, you should evaluate the following: 1) are you bringing in hot&cold or premiscelated water?
2) you should reduce pressure so to avoid water sprinkling under the cover (and since it is not sealed, from leaking out)
3) use 180degrees elbow to direct water away from the lid
4) do you have also a line for recirculated water?
5) you should open holes on site to match size and location of your piping check: reference diagram for spout plumbing
I did not make the final decision but I think the new activity will be called Japanese Historic Homes and will have a dedicated homepage.
I was (wisely!) advised that if I want to produce concrete results, I should appeal to those interested in owning a japanese home rather than just hoping to find philanthropists with deep pockets and the mission of preserving for posterity as many buildings and environments of value as possible…
“I love your idea of establishing a network to try and preserve more heritage buildings. As far as naming goes I would shy away from “save-japan.org” as this sounds like it could be connected to Fukushima or some other existing cause.
I personally think you need to appeal to those folks who wish to OWN a heritage Japanese home rather than those that wish to SAVE a heritage home, as the former has the means (money) to buy.
Something like Japan-Historic-Homes.org may work. This may facilitate easy web searches. “Heritage” is arguably a more correct word to use but I think some folks may get this confused with modern homes which have a “Heritage style”. “Historic” (or
“Historical”) does sound a bit dry and perhaps over-important, but everyone who looks at the site name will conclude that you mean old, beautiful homes of significance. Anyway, this is just a first effort. I would be very happy to help you further in any way I can.”
So please be in touch and let me know your opinion as well!
We are sad to see it go but are looking forward to seeing it rebuilt in full glory in Chiba prefecture next year.
It is a big shock for the building but imagine it is like a life saving surgery.
It is painful but all dismantling work was done gently to preserve all the parts.
I cannot imagine this jewel left prey of the bulldozers…
ASNARO/HIBA (Thujopsis dolabrata)
