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fresh hinoki supply

Here is a load of fine hinoki “masakiban” from the Kiso Valley. Taking advantage of the poor economic conjuncture, we could obtain a good price for excellent material.
We will be glad to turn this advantage to our clients!
Actually in the recent months, asnaro wood is becoming more difficult to find.
Everibody noticed the beautiful and reasonably priced asnaro and the competition for the best logs is increasing.
Also for this reason we recommend hinoki if you plan to buy a wooden tub in 2009.

New company

Thanks to all hinoki lovers, our sales of japanese tubs in 2008 increased by almost 50% compared to the previous terms.
We decided it is time to create an indipendent company (separated from my business as an architect) to handle the design, manufacture and sales of wooden products.
One of the merits is that this will allow us a japanese sales tax saving of about 2.5% which will benefit our clients.
The new company, BARTOK DESIGN JAPAN Co. will deal exclusively in wooden products exports. Address and contact numbers remain without variation.
Our new primary bank account is at MINATO BANK, we also have another account at TOKYO MITSUBISHI UFJ BANKING CORP.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any additional information.

Hinoki tub for Hawaii

ofuro



This tub was built for a resort villa in hawaii.
It is going to be installed in ground and was built with slanted sides so that the top 20cm will be visible with its elegant proportions and angle.
The external sizes are L1956mm x W812mm x H730mm and are realized with extra thick planks to allow the sharp corner detail (without skirt)

Asnaro tubs for the Caribbeans

Japanese bathing

These 2 tubs were built for a resort project in the caribbean.
The sizes are very generous (1802 x 855 x 732 mm depth) and are realized with fine knotless asnaro wood. The tubs are equipped with an internal seat which is removable.
The set is completed with a step/bench and a narrow pitched marine style duckboard.


For this project we implemented a detail that is often requested: a western style overflow drain (See pictures below.) Until now we always recommended alternative solutions because there are no standard fittings that mount on the (thick) board of a wooden tub.
Also, normal overflow pipes are small and provoke a suction noise which disrupt the atmospere of a relaxing jpanaee bath!
But now we have a satisfactory solution both from the aesthetic and functional point of wiew. Feel free to ask in detail.

tub for hawaii – 4

Here we are!
Our carpenter worked thru the weekend and the tub is almost complete.
You can see the finished product in the “gallery” pages.
We used a thick wall construction to keep the design of the tub as simple as possible, without using a top border nor skirted joints.

tub for hawaii -3

The tub walls are now getting ready.
This is the preparation phase which requires most of the time.
All wood is cut and planed by hand.

web server problems

We moved this website on a faster server for your convenience. Anyway, due to this reason this homepage and email experienced some down time in the period 1/28 ~ 2/5.
We sincerely apologise for the unconvenience. If you contacted us by mail or by our request form, chances are that we did not receive your kind request.

If in doubt, please contact us again.

hinoki-kawa.jpg

tub for hawaii – 2

Here is another phase of the bathtub construction.
The short and long sides are being laminated.
Next, we will prepare the bottom plank and proceed to assemble it together.
Otanoshimi ni mattete kudasai ne!

tub for hawaii – 1

We started the construction of a nice sloped edge tub.
In this case we will document the construction process.
Watch out for updates!

Snow and hot water

These are some pictures kindly participated by a client and friend who owns a large knotty hinoki tub. He refurbished a country house in central Italy and is the lucky owner of this unique bath house…

how can I properly comment these pictures?
I come up with this haiku (short japanese poem):

ofuro

samui fuyu ni / kokoro atatameru / kimi no aijo
in the cold winter / warming up my heart / your friendship

Japanese soaking

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