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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.
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!
We started the construction of a nice sloped edge tub.
In this case we will document the construction process.
Watch out for updates!
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):
samui fuyu ni / kokoro atatameru / kimi no aijo
in the cold winter / warming up my heart / your friendship
In these pictures it is easy to understand how the side walls of a hinoki tub are laminated.
First the material is assorted so that knots or other imperfections get discarded and of course, so that the total width of the planks is equal on the four sides of the tub. This is also a way to optimize the use of the material and avoid loss.
The wood is hand sawn by overlapping 2 planks so that with one single cut two perfecly matching planks are cut.
The pictures show the phase when the planks are drilled and connected with woodes plugs (dabo). The planks are joined with a waterproof bond and kept in the press overnight.
The corner of the tubs are realized with a more complex joint which is sealed by the insertion of hinoki wood bark which acts as a kind of natural gasket. Moreover, this bark has excellent fungicidal property and prevents mold stains in the most vulnerable point (the corners).
What am I doing here!?
Actually, today we showed our material and products to a perspective customer from Germany who is visiting Japan.
It is always a pleasure to have a tea together and exchange thoughts with fellow westerners who share with us passion for japan and fine hand crafts.
We looked at the plans and after some talking, we felt it might be easier just to try one tub, as you would do with a pair of boots. We had an “outlet” tub and the client could enter and get a more direct idea of the size and of the feeling of the tub.
Even a smaller tub seems spacious and comfortable when you try it. No big surprise, the sizes we were recommending actually did fit perfect, anyway after trying the tub the client could feel reassured and move forward without worry.
If you visit Japan, drop by for a tub fitting (if you let us the time we can pick you up at JR Maihama station).
Well, we wanted to show you how it works so I found the good excuse to enter the tub myself…
One peculiarity of this tub is the thickness of the planks: 44mm (compared to normal 33mm).
It is a very solid and nice tub as you can see in the photos and drawing below.
Please find below a quote for a L1400mm x W810mm x H635mm (external
dimensions) 555mm(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) : 540,000. JPY
2) Packaging: 1550x960x840 wood box: 39,000. 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 wooden dowels, the bottom plank head is protected by a copper apron.
The tub has a simple and minimalist proportions and has no top border.
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.
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.
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.”
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.