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outlet: rare tibetan hinoki bathtub (sold out)

* * * sorry, sold out * * *

This is a very rare tub and anyway one of a kind for our production.
We deal mainly in japanese timber, anyway some months ago we found a good occasion and put the hands on a very particular small lot of timber, ideal just to produce this one tub.
The wood is himalayan (from the chinese occupied area of Tibet) and comes from a tree which is 1000 years old. Yes, count the ‘zeros’ once again. I said one thousand years! Few years ago the cut and export of this material was outlawed (fortunately) so this lot remains orphan. Too little to assort a stock, too much and too precious to just keep it on the shelves. Since we are receiving a good response from this outlet corner, we decided to build a tub with this material and propose it to the conoisseurs at discounted price (outlet).
Please find below a quote for a L1600mm x W800mm x H635mm (external
dimensions) 550mm(depth) knotless natural Asnaro bathtub.
(See enclosed pictures and pdf drawing)
Click the thumbs below for a larger image.

1) AB grade tub (quarter sawn) : 980,000 JPY
2) Packaging: 1750x950x840 wood box: 42,000. JPY
3) Transport: I will ask for a quote for delivery at your door. Please specify also if you are in a hurry (air freight) or you can wait at least 30 days (ocean freight)
We will need the dull delivery address to obtain a quote from the forwarding company.
Notes:
The plank joints are realized with copper plates, the bottom plank head is protected by a copper apron.
The tub has a top border 100x60mm (kamachi.)
Of course, we can ship world-wide.
Payment conditions: 100% prepaid
We hope you will appreciate this offer and welcome any question you may have.

round tubs for Hakone

These large round tubs were made for a hot spring luxury hotel near Mt. Fuji.
They are so beautiful to look at that I could stay here staring for hours…
Can you imagine how would it be to take a hot bath inside?

Just for your information, round tubs of this size go for 16,000 + per piece, without transportation cost…
On the other end, how much is our physical and mental health worth?
We do not have statistical data but it is known that a relaxing bath a day improves almost all body functions and extend life-span. Additionally it is also believed to improve relations and productivity.

This may be the reasons that made a client comment “In this time of financial uncertainty, a japanese tub is actually the best investment I made. Under all points of view.”

wide ledge asnaro bathtub in stock (sold out)

* * * Sorry, sold out! * * *

Here is a new brand new tub at discounted price (outlet).
Please find below a quote for a L1400mm x W700mm x H670mm (external
dimensions) 600mm(depth) knotless natural Asnaro bathtub.
(See enclosed pictures and pdf drawing)
Click the thumbs below for a larger image.

1) AB grade tub (quarter sawn) : 3400.00 US$ (was 3900.00)
2) Packaging: 1550x850x8700 wood box: 370 US$
3) Transport: I will ask for a quote for delivery at your door. Please specify also if you are in a hurry (air freight) or you can wait at least 30 days (ocean freight)
We will need the dull delivery address to obtain a quote from the forwarding company.
Notes:
The plank joints are realized with dowels, the bottom plank head is protected by a copper plate (apron)
Of course, we can ship world-wide.
Payment conditions: 100% prepaid
We hope you will appreciate this offer and welcome any question you may have.

hinoki tub for Sidney

The client come to japan to search and collect construction materials for her new house.
We were glad also to introduce her a tatami maker and bamboo weaver in Kyoto.
It is a pleasure to deal with lovers of beutiful things and to help traditional craftsmen at the same time!
We were commissioned this generously sized tub for two to be mounted free standing in the center of a bathroom which also includes a shower box.

Japanese ofuro

100% natural tub-2

Here is how we are building the 100% natural tub in the traditional way.
The shape most suitable is the “TARU” which is assembled like a barrell with vertical planks of hinoki. The water pressure distributes uniformly on the perimeter and is collected by the stainless steel bands hammered from the bottom up.

The hinoki planks are cut with variable angles so to match eachother seamlessly. Between these we used a natural bond made of rice starch called “SOKOI”. This is 100% natural and does not contain anything but rice and water!

100% natural tub-1

Of course all our tubs are natural: we only use wood and do not treat it with any chemical or coating agent. How can you make a tub which is more natural than a wood tub?
Actually we do use some bond inside the joints of our tubs. We prefer epoxy bond instead of urea based products because it is long lasting and safe for the health.

Anyway this time we received an interesting challenge.
We were required to build a 100% natural tub (actually 2 tubs), without the use of any synthetic material. We had to resort to the knowledge and wisdom of our carpenter`s father who dedicated great passion and almost 3 weeks of work for this project. It was really a great chance for passing down the ancient tecnique (and art) to the younger generations. It was more than 50 years since he last used the this construction method!
Read some more details in the next entry.

asnaro tub for Tribeca

More than being just a tub these project was about building prefinished asnaro parts for a masterly conceived bathroom in wood and marble. Everything was designed with care for the detail while aiming at the balance of the composition.

When good design and quality craft meet, something wonderful sees the light.

There is a bench with marble base and a asnaro wood grate for the seat.
Then there is a step in asnaro to integrate in front of the alcove containing the tub.
Two doors close the tub alcove and as they open insidewards, you will be surrounded by wood while you enjoy the soak…

Japanese bathing

The tub is a roomy L2082mm x W1041mm x H965mm with two inner seats.(see photo below!). It is built to integrate in a niche and to create a ledge flush with the two asnaro doors. We evaluated different options, finally decided to build the tub and the ledge in one piece. In this way it is solid and there is no worry about assembly on site. Dimensions were checked accurately; then should an adjustment should be necessary, it is easy to shorten the ledge on the back or the side. If you can use a circular saw, you can do it.

Here it is! the mellow, peaceful, relaxing, feeling of being inside an asnaro tub… I wish we could start filling it up with hot water!

asnaro tub for Brussels

This tub is in quarter-sawn knotless grade and has one internal removable bench.
size:L1200mm x H700mm x W700mm (external dimensions)
Our client is a very nice and enthusiastic person and could not wait to see the tub, so he removed the protective plastic wrap… Not too bad, just put back the wrap and be sure to keep the tub wrapped until installed in order to prevent damage caused by dryness.

Other accessories include a lid (tub cover) with handles.
It is split in 2 halves so it is easy to lift and move. By using a lid you can prevent the water to cool down thus enjoy longer and more ecologic baths…
The client also requested a bench of the same width of the tub which can be used as a step or a seat for relaxing or getting dressed. We just had the some nice material in the exact quantity and lenght for making one bench of this size, so we could charge only the craftsmanship for this item!

Asnaro tub installed in Paris

Here it is, our tub installed in a landmark attic in the bellybottom of Paris.
The creative decoration of the bathroom with a revisitation of the stone garden theme show how a natural wooden bath can go well both in traditional or contemporary settings.

The floor in iron-wood wraps up to finish the ledge of the tub which is built-in type.
In the large bath area there is also a shower-box and extra long vanity counter.
It looks like I could spend hours in this oasis before ever thinking of getting back to the outside world…

Interior design and realization by:
Espaces Parisiens Planning
37, rue Galilee
75116 Paris – France
tel. 01 40 70 08 47

oval tubs for Oregon

oval ofuro

Here are twin oval-barrel shaped hinoki tubs – 1520 x 670 x H710mm (ext. dimensions).
We used stainless steel bands to contain the water pressure. The client at first required copper bands, but it would be too weak so we proposed stainless braided wire which is solid and not too difficult to assemble. We reached the compromise with stainless steel bands: the look is very nice, but – boy – they had to be slowly hammered one by one from the bottom up and it took forever!

Another peculiarity of these tubs is that the bond for laminating vertical planks was replaced with 100% natural rice starch. See the blog for more details ->
https://www.bartokdesign.com//0-blog_news/natural-tub-oregon-2.php