On december 1 and 2, we had some problems to the server and both the home page and the mail service were not accessible for several hours.
We apologize for the inconvenience. If you sent us an email and are not receiving answer, please send it again.
Also, if you doubt that we are not receiving your mails, please CC: to my personal mail
-> iax1213@gmail.com
It took us only 8 mails to submit the quotation, answer to the precise questions of the client and adjust the order details!
Unfortunately we had many tubs in construction and there was no space to take good pictures.
We hope to be able to publish here the site pics once installed.
here are some details about the order:
* japanese Knotless asnaro wood bathtub (42mm thick planks)
* sizes: L1525mm x W736mm x H650mm (ext. dim.) 550mm(deep)
* details: copper apron, wooden dowels. Iron brand at front&back top-right
* options: ball-type drain plug
accessories:
* Asnaro wood traditional cover 756x217x18 (7pcs)
* Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H)
* Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)
* Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
* 100ml Asnaro-Hiba Oil bottle
* Sawara wood foot bath (430x270H)
Hinoki planks (AB grade) for floor grate panel w/hydrorepellent
a) L2000mm x W93mm x t15mm with anti-warping slits
We also added the answers to the client`s questions to our faq section.
I hope it can be of reference to you as well: >>>
https://www.bartokdesign.com/9-faqcomment/notes_for_exporting_to_canada.php
This is the site view with a large corner window opening on the green garden.
It reminds me of a saying of Cicero: Si apud bibliothecam hortulum habes nihil deerit.
translated: if next to your study you have a small garden, there is nothing else you need.
Well, I wonder what Cicero would have said if he knew about japanese ofuros…!
This tub will be delivered to the home of a mixed couple (Japanese and American).
I am wondering who first thought of installing a japanese bathtub at home: the husband or the wife?
The order consists of a knotless asnaro tub with sizes:
L1360mm x W750mm x H730mm (ext. dim.) 645mm(deep)
and with a top frame “kamachi” border of 55xH120 cm
Details include a copper apron and wooden dowels for the corner joints.
And one asnaro wood “Sunoko” floor grate panel 1400 x 1840 x H55mm It is split is 4 panels 460mm wide for an easy maintenance/cleaning of the floor underneath.
From now on, we will include with our bathtubs a complimentary hygrometer.
We recommend to keep it in the bathroom and be sure that the humidity is above 55-60%.
If the environment is very dry, and the tub is seldom used there is the chance that the wood may crack, so keep an eye on the hygrometer!
We are ready for shipping and have a special offer.
The price of the pocket onsen purchased outside of the crowd funding campaign is 7,000 JPY for N. america and Oceania, 7.300 JPY for Europe etc.
But, as a special Christmas present, I am slipping in the wooden box for free.
The offer is valid until 12/31/2014 and is limited to 3 units per person.
You can order your Pocket Onsen with complimentary box here:
https://www.bartokdesign.com/japan/28-aroma_oil/pocket_onsen_with_special_rese.php
We just completed the production of the “special reserve” hinoki aroma oil.
I limited the production compared to the first plan but the yield was very good and we have 300 10cc bottles ready for shipping to all of you who kindly participated to the “pocket onsen” campaign.
Next week I should be able to complete the shipping. I am looking forward to hearing your comments!
Maybe it is difficult to guess from the pictures of the products below, the tub will be installed freestanding and visible on the four sides in the center of the room.
There will be “sunoko” floor grating all around and covering the floor of an adjoining terrace. There is a window behind the tub so it is possible to look out at the hillside while taking a bath!
At the same time, the light coming from behind the tub exalting the Apollonian beauty and proportion of the whole interior.
I hope the client will concede some pictures to be posted here!
Here are some data about the tub:
* japanese Knotless hinoki wood bathtub
* thick planks (42mm) – without top border frame
* L1500mm x W750mm x H680mm (550 mm deep)
* T joint corners, wooden dowels, copper apron. Iron brand at front top-right
accessories and options:
* Hinoki wood internal seat W400mm (removable)
* Hinoki wood floor mounted spout type E
* Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
* Sawara large bucket（225D 120H）
* Hinoki wood – traditional design – stool (300x180x200H)
* Asnaro soap box (175x115x48H)
* Pocket onsen bath aroma set – “special reserve” type (green pouch)
In this case we were asked to supply a simple tap already mounted inside the spout box.
For your reference, download the file below to see the main two methods used to install and feed a wooden spout. >>>141009-spout-plumbing.pdf
photo of internal seat: slide it out to remove
material for the duckboards:
* Hinoki planks for deck (plank cut, high quality, knotless) w/ hydrorepellent treatment, planned finish, chamfer corner
a) L2700mm（2655） x W110mm x t18mm
b) L1100mm（1010） x W110mm x t18mm
to the right are the buckets, stool and other accessories (the “pocket onsen” is not in the photo)
A client reported a (superficial) crack to an asnaro tub we shipped earlier this year.
The ofuro was made with well dried ao-hiba and something like this does not happen unless the wood is really very dehydrated.
We asked the client to check the relative humidity in the room and report to us (3 readings at morning – noon – evening)
Before thinking of a way to repair the crack, we should quickly isolate and eliminate the problem otherwise the tub may suffer more damage.
Wishing that this would never happen again, from now on, we will include with our bathtubs a complimentary hygrometer.
We recommend to keep it in the bathroom and be sure that the humidity is above 55-60%. If the environment is very dry, and the tub is seldom used there is the chance that the wood may crack.
Here are two squarish hinoki bathtubs ordered thru an architecture office in Malaysia.
They will be installed is similar condo units, behind a large glass partition separating the toilet/lavatory area from the large shower/bath area.
The thin kamachi border we used in this case has the advantage that it can be grabbed easily when entering and especially egressing the tub
Here are the specs for the tubs;
* japanese Knotless hinoki wood bathtub
* sizes: L1100mm x W1000mm x H750mm (ext. dim.) 640mm(deep)
* details: copper apron, wooden dowels. Iron brand at front top-right
* option: overflow socket with flexible pipe, internal seat W350mm
* accessories: Hinoki wood wall mounted spout A
The side behind the bench is slightly slanted.
to the left: the back of the tub with western type overflow socket.
to the right: overflow with flexible pipe installed. It should be faced towards a wall or enclosed in a ledge. (Often, clients provide their one metal pipe and leave it exposed)
There is often a misunderstanding about what japanese call “hagi-zai” (laminated material)
The english term “laminated wood” includes rotary cut veneer lamination (plywood) and square rods finger joined (glulam).
We have the image of the laminated wood as an engineered material, sturdy but unequivocally man-made and thus not natural.
On the other hand hagi-zai involves joining wide planks side by side with the aid of full penetration dowels. We try to match the vein and if the situation allows it, the joint is almost invisible. (in case of a tub we have to give priority to balancing the warping and thus it is almost inpossible to make an invisible joint in this case)
The lumber is equalized with rotary saw and electric planer
Here is the solid lumber with thru holes ready for joining.
Glue is applied inside the holes
Long dowels are hammered inside to connect all the planks together
Here is the finished “hagi-zai”. At this point it is straightened and prepared for the “shiguchi” = wood joints. (To create a box we use mostly dove tail joints.) Finally the panel are assembled to create the tub and hand planed.
The client is renovating a two-story terrace house in Singapore and choose a japanese wooden bathtub for himself and his family.
We hope they can enjoy it everyday!
The tub has copper plates joints both at the front and back (option.)
Here are the main specs:
material: knotless asnaro wood (AB grade)
sizes: L1180mm x W750mm x H690mm (ext. dim.) 580mm(deep)
details: copper apron, copper plate joints. Iron brand at front top-right.
options: removable internal seat (W350mm)
accessories: Asnaro wood wall mounted spout A
The drain fitting is not installed and we supplied it separately.
(standard-long type socket / rubber plug)
The spout can be opened easily for maintenance and cleaning.
