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a complex bathtub for california

The order was coordinated by a skilled architect.
It is always stimulating and challenging to work with designers.
In this case they wanted to achieve a sleek cantilevered bench in front of the tub, in a U shape. The details were very refined, some too much for my down-to-earth compliance-minded grumpy carpenter…
Anyway we could find a satisfactory solution for all the parts and the tub/options will be beautiful and durable at the same time.

The tub has a wide top ledge and an apron. We prepared the blocking so that the apron planks can be mounted on site to match perfectly the tilework

From the picture it is difficult to explain, but the bench board thickness will cover exactly the horizontal joint of the apron planks

The back of the tub will be inset in the masonry ledge

Inside the tub is a removable bench

Some of the over 30 parts cut to size to build the bench in front and to the left of the tub.
Project specs:
* japanese Knotless (quartersawn) Hinoki wood bathtub
* L1680mm x W1225mm x H762mm (ext. dim.) 648mm(deep)
* L-shape corner , no top frame (t47mm planks) – flat bottom

ofuro for the south of France

It was particularly pleasant to deal with our client this time.
His questions were binary and the decision process was complex but progressive.
It took just 20 days for deciding the details, producing, confirming and getting the tub to the customs.

material: Knotless Hinoki cypress wood
L900mm x W720mm x H720mm (ext. dim.) 610mm(deep)
glass coating @ apron, wooden dowels. Iron brand at top-right
The drain plug is replaced with a spherical type one.

accessories include:
* Hinoki wood traditional cover 740x225x18 (4pcs)
* Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)
* Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)

Since the tub is going to a location far from Paris, the local shipping cost was quite expensive. I thought it would be nice to arrange a kind of “collective shipment” for all people on the Cote d`Azur interested in owning a japanese ofuro…

si quelqu’un est intéressé s’il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir!

cover for acrylic bathtub

We received the request from a japan lover who previously purchased from us some bath accessories to produce a cover to match his acrylic bathtub.

The client supplied us a paper template and we could produce the matching tub split in 3 sections.

The cover can be flipped over and used as a bench.

japanese lumber for a beautiful home

Some of the material used for the doors and furniture of this house is japanese hinoki.
The house is really stunning beautiful, poetic and minimalist.
Enjoy the photos!

reference from switzerland

Dear Iacopo
The bathtub is very beautiful (wonderful craftsmanship!) and we enjoyed a fantastic first bath yesterday evening.
The feedback from the carpenter: very nice selection of planks!
All the best from Japanese heaven

hinoki walk in closet

Here are two pictures of the walk in closet that a client made with hinoki lumber.
The style of the house is stunning modern with a special sensibility for the texture and feel of the materials. The soft touch and warmth of wood complements perfectly the “beton brut” poetry of the exposed concrete walls.

Of course, the use of hinoki wood is also functional to preserving the clothes from insects and the insurgence of mold / smell.

foot bath

Here are two models of foot bath in japanese wood:

ROUND TYPE

Sawara wood foot bath
(430x270H)
(d=16 7/8″ h=10 5/8″)
BOX TYPE

quality: hinoki knotless wood (AB grade)
size:　1200ｘ400ｘH350mm (depth 217mm)
price: 250,000 JPY + transportation cost (please enquire)
Also do not hesitate to contact us for custom sizes.

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thoughtful ofuro for australia

This client contacted us 2 years ago. He was concerned about wood imports to australia and he wanted to visit our warehouse on his next business trip to japan.
In the past he lived in japan so his japanese is very fluent and much more proper than mine, despite I have been here for 16 years now…
Anyway he come with his wife and saw the ofuros and the material live.
Than, as planned precisely 21 months after, as planned they mailed their order confirmation. What is more satisfactory than seeing every piece fitting in thoroughly conceived plan?

material: Knotless Hinoki cypress wood
L1300mm x W800mm x H630mm (ext. dim.) 550mm(deep)
copper apron, wooden dowels. Iron brand at front top-right
option: over flow top cut

accessories include:
* Hinoki wood traditional cover 820x217x18 (6pcs)
* Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)
* Sawara wood small bucket (170D 300H)
* Sawara wood large bucket（230D　120H）
* Asnaro wood soap box (175x115x48H)

A note for australians: yes, the customs are quite picky with the crate specs and required documentation about the wood used for the tub.
Anyway our forwarder knows their job and we provide the necessary paperwork so you do not have to worry about it.

hard water and ofuros

Hi,
I love your website and I can’t wait to order a bath of my own one day soon.
I do have one question: I live in the UK in an area with very hard water (high calcium content from the chalk in the ground) – will this affect the care or lifespan of the Hinoki bath?
Would you recommend installation of a water softening device along with the bath?
This uses salt to remove the calcium from the water supply.
Currently, we are constantly needing to clean limescale deposits off our existing bath etc. using an acidic cleaner, which I expect would be very bad for the Hinoki. On the other hand, the limescale deposits would spoil the beauty of the timber, and I expect would be an area for bacteria and mould to grow.
Have you any advice or experience with this topic?

Thank you for your interest in our japanese bathtubs.
With reference to your kind question, also in japan there are many places with hard water.
Considering that in the onsen (japanese hot-springs) with thermal water containing all sorts of minerals wooden baths are used,　we can say that there is not too much to be worried about.

The scaling occurs if the water is left in the tub for long periods (es. using recirculation systems) so we would recommend to fill the tub only when in use (which works for most residential applications).
I am not a chemist, so forgive my lack of technical terms, but actually calcium tends to build up on metals or enamel, it does not stick to wood.

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

kadomaru for israel

This is one of our staples, a “kadomaru” bathtub.

material: Knotless Sawara cypress wood
sizes: L850mm x W630mm x 740mm (630mm deep)
stainless steel wire bands. Iron brand at front top-right

This type of tub ships by air in a cardboard box.
The cost changes from country to country but if you have a budget of 3200 to 3500 US$ (tub & shipping) this tub is perfect for you.
If you require it shallower we can adjust it without extra charges but if you need it longer or wider, than you will have to opt for a full order tub.

＞ After one week the client sent us a kind line:
“I finally got around to opening the packaging of the Ofuro – it’s very beautiful. Thank you very much. Warm regards.”