Let me report the wise comment of our client (and friend):
“I am confirmed in the belief that Japanese were thousands of years ahead of us westerners: in the age when we were using perfumes to hide our odors and (in the rare occasions we were washing), we were using underwears and busts to hide our body, japanese were…
…bathing.
Naked. Alone or in good company. Clean in the mind and in the body.”
Also in this case, I cannot but agree…!
These pictures seem to have been taken from Kyoto or Nara…
(It is actually from a rural stone-masonry lovely house in the beautiful Appennine mountains.) I will skip any comment, it would fade anyway in the emotions that come out from the images…
This tub (size:L1000mm x W1040mm x H985mm) is in quarter-sawn hinoki-knotless grade and has one internal seat.
The bathtub is also equipped with a spout which will be mounted recessed in the wall.
The area of installation did not allow a longer tub, so it was opted for a short but wide and roomy shape. In this conditions, it is comfortable to take a bath from a sitting position, hence the internal bench. Additionally, the tub is deeper than standard, so it is possible to enjoy the hot water up to your shoulders even while sitting on the bench.
(Be aware that you will need over 200 gallons to fill up the tub…!)
At last, note the custom bench/step outside of the tub matching the width. This can be used as a step to enter the deep tub at ease. Also, we recommend to use it as a bench for relaxing before and after the bath.
This tub was coordinated by a very talented and professional architecture office in Switzerland. When we saw the drawings, there was just nothing to add or modify and we could start manufacture immediately.
Without being huge, this tub has majestic proportions and we could keep the design simple by using a 50mm extra thick plank for the front instead of an otherwise neccessary top frame border.
The tub is in knotless quarter cut hinoki (sizes L1570mm x W900mm x H685mm) and has an internal bench. Note also the copper apron detail at front which furnishes extra protection to the head of the bottom planks, and is almost completely hidden by the floor duckboards.
We always receive the same question:
Q. How should I maintain/clean the tub?
The answer is always:
The tub needs love and care more than maintenance.
If you use it often (preferably daily), keep an eye on the hygrometer and take care of small stains as soon as you spot them, you tub will have a long and happy life.
Anyway, our clients feel this is not enough. They want to do something. They want to be proactive and show concretely their affection for the tub.
Over the years we tried vegetable base detergents, non-oil oils and ecologic cleaners.
They were sticky or just meaningless and we continued to recommend just – pure love – to take care of the tub.
But yes, we finally found a product we can recommend for cleaning and rehidratating the wood. It is an oil base product from the same line as the ones used for aromatherapy.
See our product page for specific information and use instructions.
Japanese people do not use hiba oil for clenaning wooden bathtubs but it has amazing applications in our everyday life. Here below are some detailed information about Hiba oil:
One nice thing about dealing with hinoki tubs is that they allow us to meet nice people!
Be they professionals, musicians, journalists or slow chefs, they are all wonderful people.
This was definately the case, and the preliminary phase was animated but surprisingly smooth. The tub was first switched to a different wall, rotated, adjusted.
Everything in with few, energic movements as an experienced cook would sautee eggplants and zucchini.
The tub L1200mm x W800mm x H660mm is in quarter-sawn hinoki – knotless grade and has a top border cut to redirect the overflow towards the adjoining shower.
I am happy with the tub and the service at your end.
What does not work well however is the transportation. I think that if you could sort out deliveries to Europe you would provide a much better service. I had to deal with customs authorities and a very difficult/unreasonable
transport company (which I assume is the one you used) and wait for weeks when the tub was already in Rotterdam.
There must be a simpler way to offer to the clients, e.g. DHL or another courier that would take care of all the formalities themselves and would then invoice the customer.
Just a friendly suggestion.
Kind regards
K F
Reply:
Thank you for your comment and friendly suggestion.
I am really sorry you had so much trouble with the delivery.
We use two couriers: YUSEN (japanese) and H&Friends (Korean).
Their service and fare vary considerably depending if they have a direct branch in the destination country or not.
We always try to choose taking in consideration this issue.
Both forwarders do not have a branch in Holland and I think that the delay was caused by bad communication between the customs agent and the shipper and between them and the client (you).
Unfortunately we cannot take in consideration DHL because it is too expensive.
In the past we were taking care of the customs formalities as well, but the local costs vary and are quite unpredictable.
We were ending up in overbilling some clients (we were sending a reimbursement) or in losing money (and not being reimbursed).
So we decided to use the formula DDU. (Delivered, duties unpaied).
I know it is an additional issue for the customer to take care of, but could not expect it would be so unconvenient like in your case.
Again we sincerely apologise for the trouble and will continue to look for better options for the shipping.
With Best Regards,
Iacopo Torrini
After the success of the first outlet tub here we are back by popular request!
This immaculate straight (knotless) japanese tub has been in our showroom for a year and have been wrapped in poliethlen sheeet. It is now on sale at a discounted price for showroom renewal!
Please find below a quote for a L1200mm x W700mm x H680mm (external
dimensions) 605mm(depth) knotless natural Asnaro bathtub.
(See enclosed pictures and pdf drawing)
Click the thumbs below for a larger image.
1) Asnaro hinoki AB grade tub (quarter sawn) : 3400 US$
2) Packaging: 1350x850x880 wood box: 340 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.
The picture does not fully convey the beauty and peculiarity of this tub!
The request was a large tub L1800mm x W1000mm x H690mm (depth=600mm) but with the simplest – minimal detailing.
We had to employ a thick top border frame (100x60mm!) but turned it in a simple line with the following concept:
– Two sides were built fully as the top beam border (60mm thick)
– as the tub is set against a free standing ledge with the faucet, in this case the short faces become the main side.
Other accessories include an japanese style tub cover and an outside bench in hinoki wood which can be used both as a step and for relaxing after the bath.
The finishing is done in line with the natural/minimalist concept of the architect: almost invisible wood dowels for the joints and natural oil to seal and protect the bottom plank
and base area from humidity.
We were requested to supply hinoki timber (rough saw cut) to be used by the local joinery to build doors and furniture. At first we offered a quote in cultivated hinoki from Yoshino (Nara Prefecture).
But – HEY! – the client required all the wood to be quarter sawn to match the coordinated bathtub color and grain.
We checked our stock and asked all our dealers and acquaintances but it is difficult to obtain such quantity of natural timber of such quality and knotless on 4 sides…!
Finally we agreed on a smart solution. We were provided a detailed order of all the small pieces and parts needed for construction. This allowed us to better optimize small cuts we had and to be able to offer better lumber for a much – much lower cost.
Each piece was marked with a number which refers to a detailed list and to the drawings.
It was hard work, but when the reasult is so satisfactory, we forget all the fatigue.