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shoji doors for spain!

shoji doors

We build and shipped some custom size shoji doors made in “sugi” pine wood. sizes are 1238mm x H 2200 for one door and 950mm x H 2200 for another opening. (normal shojis are in the range of 900mm for the width and 1800-2000mm for the height.)

We also provided overhead rail floor rails and jambs made in hinoki gluelam (it is safer than solid wood as it does not warp or bend)

We supplied the shoji paper and glue/spackle separately as paper is easily damaged by humidity during the ocean freight. Inside the container the temperature tends to be very high, and paper will stretch and wrinkle if it is already attached on the shoji frame.

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virtual 3D showroom

We know that rather than the cold buttons of the mouse, you prefer the delicate touch of the cherry blossoms falling on your hair.
Anyway, if you are far from japan and missing its onsen, its cozy ryokan with mystical stone gardens shining with the moonlight, we hope you will enjoy this 3D walkthru simulation.
If you like it, write a comment!

You can actually walk inside this virtual japanese room (and take a relaxing bath in our ofuro, of course!)
1) You need to use Internet Explorer (sorry, does not work for other browsers)
2) Download the Power sketch viewer plugin from “Magic Hour Co.”. Click the Icon.
3) Access the 3D file. virtual-showroom3d.php

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You can jump to the saved views with the buttons in the control bar or just press the mouse left button and slowly glide thru the garden…
(Yes, there is also a toilet behind the fusuma doors in case you cannot contain your surprise…)
I hope this can be a hint if you are considering a japanese atmosphere for your home extension.

Hot tub for New Zealand

I think that the words of my client are more clear and evocative than any any detailed description I could make:

(…) Thank you for the photographs. It really looks a beautiful work that will give us wonderful moments for a long, long time. My house is on the top of a hill, overlooking a valley and the sunset. I am planting a face of the mountain with oaks, and I will be able to enjoy the view from the bath, as I did in my trips to onsen in Japan.
The water comes from a nearby stream and collected rain water . I am sure it will be a pleasure for all of us to enjoy your wonderfully crafted tub.(…)

Hinoki wood tub AB grade (quarter sawn) w/ overflow top cut
Dimensions are: L1400mm x W900mm x H680mm (ext. dim.) 600mm (deep) .
The bottom of the tub is treated with natural oil and the joints are finished with dowel heads.

The tub has a top overflow cut and is equipped with a water spout.
The client is considering the option of using a tub cover to keep the water warm for a longer period. In this case we recommend to mount the spout on a wall near the tub (and not on the side edge of the tub itself) to allow room to slide the cover underneath.

To cope with the overflow, we can provide a block of wood which perfectly matches the cut!

Spring Outlet Tub (sold out)

sorry, SOLD OUT
New outlet tub for the spring!
ofuro
Note the beautiful color gradation of the planks of hinoki wood giving the tub a natural look. This compact size tub is great for one person. It also as slightly more depth for you to soak up to your chin.
Here are the details:
Kiso hinoki ofuro.
SIZE: L1100mm x W700mm x H680mm (external
dimensions) 605mm(depth) knotless natural Hinoki bathtub
1) AB grade tub (quarter sawn) : 428,000 JPY
2) Packaging: 1250x850x880 wood box: 31,000. JPY
3) Shipping: Please send us your exact address for a shipping quotation. Either by air or by sea.
For the payment, we accept Credit cards thru PAYPAL or contact us for wire transfer information to our bank account in Japan.
soaking tub
back side of the tub, it also has a copper apron.
Click here to download a drawing of the tub in acrobat format.
Spring outlet ofuro
The smooth and pristine interior of the tub.

spring outlet ofuro side
Side view of the tub

Outlet: `beefy` oval tub (sold out)

sorry, SOLD OUT
Another idea, a new outlet tub…
Japanese bathing
As much as we always strive to optimize the width of our planks, after few months it is inevitable we accumulate a small stock of narrow leftovers.
So, we decided to build a barrel type oval tub without having to pay a yen for the material!
To build this size of tub, 33mm thick planks are more than enough, anyway most of the
wood stripes we had were 45mm thick. It is a shame to plane it down so we decided to go for a `BEEFY` oval tub!
wood tub
Here is the information and cost about this gorgeous brand new tub.
L1500mm x W700mm x H720mm (external dimensions) 630mm(depth)
knotless natural Asnaro oval shaped bathtub.
bands are in threaded stainless steel wire.
The set is completed with a custom lid split in 2 halves for easy use.
1) AB grade tub (quarter sawn) : 550,000. JPY
2) Packaging: 1650x850x920 wood box: 42,000. JPY
3) Shipment: please let us know your full address so we can take a quote (ocean or air freight)
For the payment, we accept Credit cards thru PAYPAL / or contact us for payment thru wire transfer to our bank account in Japan.
download the drawing in acrobat format: outlet090706.pdf
ofuro

(more…)

Moving …

This is for all of you who visited our warehouse (and for all of you who plan to visit…)
On 6/28 we are moving! The new warehouse/showroom will be operational from 7/1.

We are relocating closer to Chiba, within the Tokyo Central lumberyard – Chiba lumber center.
The address is: Yoshioka 496 Yotsukaidō City, Chiba Pref.

The closest station is Yotsukaido Sta. (on the JR Sobu line for Chiba)
We are actually very close to Narita Airport, you are welcome to drop by on your way back!

ofuro for dojo in Paris

Asnaro wood tub AB grade (straight cut) w/ two internal seats
Dimensions are: L1600mm x W900mm x H690mm (ext. dim.) 604mm (deep)
Bottom is treated with natural oil, joints are built with wood dowel heads.

Imagine a dojo, a martial arts club in a quiet Paris suburb. Imagine the pleasure of entering in an aromatic hot tub after a tought training…

As you know, martial arts principles give great importance to cleaning: both in a literal and symbolic sense. More than cultivating physical strenght, martial arts are a “way” to find a perfectly balanced inner self, to higher ethics and to the appreciation of authentical
things…

This tub has two confronting removable benches and is suitable for up to 4 people.

sunoko for Canada

Did you know you can order just a duckboard?

In this case, a friend architect ordered one for (I imagine) a very special bathroom. We had a detailed correspondence about using the planks long wise or width wise. We custom built the sleepers to adjust to the existing slope. The grating was divided in two pieces for easy maintenance. The client chose not to chamfer the corners of the planks for a sharper look. We adjusted the size a couple of times.
Every communication was done in a fast and accurate sequence of questions and answers, like in a ping pong game. Perfect.
Well, almost perfect…
The sunoko is now happily installed, I hear, but… we are having 2 practical problems. I am mentioning it here so it can be of reference for other cases.
We strive for perfection but sometimes problems happen all at the same time…
Please bear with us as we will do our best to assist you in any circumstance.


problem 1) One plank was damaged during the transportation with EMS!
solution 1) All the shipments are insured. If you already opened the box and used it for more than a week, there is nothing we can do from our side. You will have to file the claim to the post office, they will produce a damage report. Send it to us. We will file it to the japanese post office and obtain a refund. Meanwhile we will make a new sunoko section and ship it to you. Sorry for the trouble!


problem 2) Some of the stainless steel nails developed some rust stains!
solution 2) No kidding! I confirm we use SUS1818 type stainelss nails.
As you can find on internet resources (wikipedia etc.), the only case that stainless steel produces rust is when it gets in touch with another ferroid material. The chrome coating anti-oxidation barrier of stainless steel is neutralized by the electrolitic effect of the two metals touching.
Cause:
a) It is possible that some metal dust from the hammer remained on the nail head
b) or maybe your water is very rich in iron
Solution:
Dip a moist, soft toothbrush in a box of baking soda. Or you can use a mild pickling gel. Rub back and forth gently on the stained area. Rinse abundantly.

Photos of installed tub in the US

Our client kindly participated us these pictures.
Looking at the ofuro bath tub from the lavatory area:

Japanese and western. Just like the lucky owner of this sleek bathroom (a japanese-american couple), mixing it up makes life more interesting!

The tub is a large knotless hinoki with tob border frame.

Asnaro “onsen” for Genova

Asnaro wood tub AB grade (straight cut)
Dimensions are: L1150mm x W700mm x H680mm (ext. dim.) 605mm(depth)
The tub bottom is equipped with a copper apron and the joints are finished with wooden dowels.
With a full set of japanese bath accessories, I am sure that the lucky owner will feel as he is bathing in a japanese onsen!

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