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unbelievable! gorgeous temple looking for adoption

I am not sure if it is sad news or happy news,
…but yes! we can definitely turn it into a 100%  happy news!

An old temple (called Josen-ji) located in Kameyama (Aichi prefecture) will be demolished in early 2023.
The building is said to be at least 150 years old (but judging from the photos I think even more)

The elegant noyane (double roof) slanted iri-moya roof (a mix between hip roof and gable roof) is finished with the “hongawara” roof tiles which means that there are 2 separate parts, one for the concave and one for the convex components.

The size of the hon-do (main hall) is about 11m x 11m + external corridor.

It seems unbelievable, but they are also going to demolish and dump the gorgeous gold plated altar and massive scuptured ranma panels (;゚Д゚)!

See photos below. Also you can access the google drive below for more photos. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AEYzGB0nBRIv74tMXFIy2VUOA7bb_Nux?usp=sharing

or if it is easier, with google photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/q9kDS2pQ3GcqppxXA (same pics)

I still haven`t been on site. It seems like there is still plenty of time (before january 2023) to evaluate the possibility of transferring the building to save it.
That said, the owner already has a quotation from a local demolition company (to just tear it down and clear the lot) and I am afraid that some penny-wise local interests may dictate the destiny of the precious building.

For this reason, (also considering past bitter experiences) I intend to proactively plan ahead a solution to carefully dismantle, transport and rebuild the temple in a location where it can be appreciated.

I would be grateful for any insight you may have.
Please do not contact me for picking up just some materials or spare parts: I am looking for a party who is willing to adopt the building in its entirety.

I asked a specialized company to visit the site and provide a quotation for the disassembling work and I will post here updates as soon as available.
It will be a rough evaluation, but I will also try to estimate how many containers are needed.

The idea is that for the rebuilding work, my carpenter can go on-site (also if overseas) to coordinate the reconstruction and instruct local craftsmen. In any case, the “foster family” needs to have clear ideas about how to finance the project, clear local building department filings, and supply the land and local construction company to handle the nitty-gritty of the project.

Or course, I remain available for any question or comment.

Best//

iacopo

 HERE➡

google map location PIN is here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8046884,136.9171596,109m/data=!3m1!1e3

UPDATE 2022.march.28

Cost of demolition of the temple:
12 million Yen + 10% VAT
This quotation does not consider reusing of roof tiles.
I think reusing is better (also considering that for relocation out of Japan, it would be necessary to import roof tiles anyway) so the cost would increase (rough estimate = +2.5 million JPY)

Cost of rebuilding in Japan (as a reference):
scaffolding and temp. const. 500,000 JPY
foundations 2,500,000 JPY
timber frame (including new material 22,500,000 JPY
roof 15,000,000 JPY
plasterworks 3,000,000 JPY
paintworks 700,000 JPY
electricity and various 1,300,000 JPY

-> total 45,500,000 JPY + sales tax 10%
Of course, in the case of rebuilding overseas, the cost will need to be re-estimated.
We would be able to supply craftsmen to instruct local companies as needed.

Cost of transportation, import procedures, etc. to be determined.

Please let me know if you are interested so I can look into the feasibility of the project.




The first time of a L corner – outlet tub – SOLD OUT

(sorry, sold out…)

I checked the archives and I could not find a predecessor: therefore it is confirmed that this is the first outlet tub with L-corner joints (and thicker planks).
Actually, the definition of “outlet tub” sounds almost like a joke when applied to this tub.
The material is spotless and the manufacture extremely accurate, with dowels matching the wood grain.

Perfect for a king or for one person that really loves himself.
Actually, having a good relation with oneself and caring for our body and for the precious time we spend on this planet is probably the precondition of the person that has enough energy to care for other people: the bright and energetic leader who gives back to the society and inspires everybody who crosses her or his path…

Do you think I am kind of derailing from the description of the ofuro?
Maybe. But it you could see it in person you would agree with me.
Compact in size but with the highest specs among our production, I think this outlet tub will set another record:
I have the clear feeling it will be sold within minutes from publication.
As a matter of fact, I am very tempted to do the sly move: skip publishing this entry and just installing it in my bath… ( ´艸`)

(more…)

slanted back

Hi Iacopo,
With a slanted back tub, do you think that 520mm is too deep since we will already be reclining?
Thanks 

About the slanted back, the gradient is actually very subtle: the slant is more of an esthetic feature.

Consider that in a deep soaking bathtub, the lungs are fully submerged, so the body becomes lighter (lifted by the hydrostatic force) compared to a traditional bathtub.
This means that you can keep the back at an angle (and adjust the depth of the immersion) independently from the fact that the back is slanted or not.
I think 520 is a good depth and is still quite comfortable to step in and out.
Said that the size balance inside the ofuro is a very personal factor and we recommend to our customers to create a mockup (using cardboard boxes, or maybe the space between the back of the sofa and a wall etc.) to simulate the space inside the ofuro and imagine sitting in it.
Also, I suggest also making the calculation of the number of gallons of hot water required to fill it up and consulting with your plumber to verify the compatibility with your HW system.

S.O.S. 100year young “ko-minka” traditional house looking for adoption

I received this SOS from a friend living in Hofu City, Yamaguchi prefecture.

Her 300 m2 traditional house with a beautiful roof and the refined interior are going to be demolished to make space for a new condominium.😢

I still have to obtain details. but it seems like the site must be cleared by the beginning of March 2022 so the dismantling work should start at the beginning of February.

Time is very tight and just to obtain a quotation (for the dismantling work) I will need to invest time and money to go on-site with a carpenter to evaluate the costs.

Anyway, If some of the “japan lovers” within the Bartok design community show interest in this option, I will teleport myself on site asap.

Please let me know.

Judging from the pictures, roof tiles are really stunning and very well preserved same as the tatami rooms with all the high quality details such as “ajiro” ceiling, hand blown glass, yukimi shoji, tokonoma details etc.

The kitchen area is quite spartan and the stainless steel sink are of course not original.
In case of a reconstruction, it would be nice to implement a “kamado” type of kitchen!

and maybe an “irori” to sit around the fire and during tea or maybe “atsukan” sake!

The bathroom also does not look very comfortable and the materials do not belong to the original plant.
Perfect space for a new hinoki bathtub + plenty of room for every other amenity you could wish for fitness or wellbeing.

The cost of the building itself is zero (free) for the art lover willing to help preserve the memory of glorious japanese residential architecture.

The cost for dismantling would be somewhere around 60-70,000 USD (ballpark value) and 30-40,000 USD for shipping (depends where). Cost of rebuilding depends on local conditions and how local craftsmen can be supportive. Of course we can supply carpenters that can coordinate reconstruction and train local workers.

I can obtain quotes but it takes time so I decided to start with the announcement.

google map location PIN is here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2-ch%C5%8Dme-7-40+Ebisumachi,+Hofu,+Yamaguchi+747-0036/@34.0589881,131.5692087,47m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x354492f2fa675cd5:0x2dfb05a8341282ab!8m2!3d34.0590267!4d131.5692207

and 50 photos are here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R_UH-lYbl3pLnFlL-jj7CKb_Ray1k7Os?usp=sharing

Please contact me asap if interested.


UPDATE 1/11:

Thank you everybody for your lovely emails!

I did receive a lot of feedback (23 emails) and kudos, out of which 3 people are making some practical considerations about this possibility.

Here are some replies to common questions:

1) There is no restriction to export the construction material of the house (artistic properties preservation etc.).
Actually, the toughest filing at the time of export is to prove that we are not sending industrial waste to some other country for landfill… but it is actually construction material (even if second hand…).
This gives you a hint of the consideration that is given to historical buildings in Japan…

2) It will be necessary to verify the building standards in the place of reconstruction because the building is timber frame and not fireproof.

3) The roof tiles are quite recent (maybe 30-40 years old) but are nicely hand made

4) I do not have a dimensioned drawing but you can scale the plan above considering that one tatami is roughly 6′ x 3′. Also as a reference, the present site (which does not have much of room for the garden) is about 43 x 21m. See below:

Update 1/25:

The story had an unexpected development.

A contractor from Fukuoka who had been in touch in the past with the owner, suddenly come back and offered to dismantle the house and rebuild it in Fukuoka prefecture.

This came out of the blue while a person from NZ that was introduced to me was considering it very seriously the project. My contact had experience with this type of project as already transferred minka from Gifu prefecture to Hawai years ago.

After all this effort and “crying wolf” and mobilizing people all over the world, I have to confess that this epilogue was quite irritating. And I know that Japanese companies tend to dump the roof tiles, ceiling materials, flooring, and tatami.

On the other hand, the schedule is really very tight and if my plan could not be deployed for some reason (financial, permits, timing etc.) the house would have been lost completely.

For this reason, re-thinking this story from a different angle, I think that the fact that the Hofu kominka is going to remain in existence is the most important point. How and where is kind of secondary.

Of course, it is ideal that those buildings stay in their environment (also considering in many cases they have beautiful retaining walls, gardens etc. that cannot be moved)

But if they have to be demolished or transferred, I think that moving them abroad – besides being a way to preserve and valorize them – would also have a greater impact on the public opinion and contribute to raising public awareness on the traditional buildings conservation issue.




Enjoy blue skies and pink sakuras in 2022!

a beautyful sunny and blue sky on the Jirinkongou karesansui!
Stunning photos received from the Wabi Sabi Ryokan in S. Ginesio (Sibillini mountains) – Italy
Address: Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, 62026 San Ginesio MC, Italy
Phone: +39 335 396 025

https://www.wabisabiculture.org/

finally, almost a miracle of nature: sakura blossoming in winter! Only at Wabi Sabi!!

from a former hinoki-oil-addicted client…!

Dear Iacopo,
here are all of the photos that I promised from unpacking to moving it into the small en-suite to placing it into the shower pan. It all worked out really well and I’m very happy with it! It is such an integral part of my overall self-care. I’m so glad I found you guys!!
By the way, the bench and seat are teak which I like but of course, in no way compares to the Hinoki!

T from the U.S.A.

let`s think brighter in 2022!

How are you? I trust you are enjoying a serene holiday season.
I wish you a very happy year-end, in the warmth of your family, and a shining beginning of the New Year. \(^o^)/
2021 has been a challenging one.
But “challenges” have always been part of our lives and always will be: as the hatred examinations when we were in school, every challenge helps us to improve and become stronger and wiser.

The trick is to maintain a positive attitude and remember that “thoughts create reality”: even in this long Covid parentheses, I trust you will treasure the positive facets of this situation and continue to keep an eye towards a brighter future and what we can do on a daily basis to make it happen.

I am wondering when we will be able to break free from the compulsory habit to wear a mask all the time.

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handmade cutting boards

A nice couple come to our workshop in Yotsukaido (near Narita airport) to see the timber that will be used for their ofuro project and our Mr. Ikeda surprised them with expressly made hinoki cutting boards.

What a treat!

First, the planks are roughly planed by machine

then, the edges are rectified

both sides are made smooth and silky with a fine electric plane

then the corners are mitered

and finally the iron brand is applied. Just few seconds, Ikeda-san!

strong as a castle gate – outlet tub – SOLD OUT

(sorry, sold out…)

This is a real Christmas present!
The client who bought exaclty 2 years ago was not able to import it because of the Covid situation and decided to put it on the market again!
Extra rare! We haven`t been able to make knotty tubs for the past 2 years!
First came first serve basis!

We just completed a large roten-buro (outdoor bath) for a hot spring in Hakone. As we had to use long pieces of lumber, we had some left overs: we picked up the best parts – heartwood only – and made this “hearty” ofuro for the outlet corner. We had several inquiries in the past month for knotty hinoki tubs but did not have any nice material on stock.
If you were looking for this type of ofuro you should act quickly because I am not sure when we will have another lot of such generous knotty hinoki.

This ofuro is simple and solid like the gate of a Japanese castle.
The length and width are very comfortable for 1 or 2 people and the 45mm plank thickness (compared to the normal 33mm) makes a bold statement. We usually use “beefy” planks when the clients require a large ofuro but want to avoid the top edge reinforcing frame. An option worth 1,200-1,500 USD alone!
Last but not least, the pattern of the knots as you can see is very well balanced on both sides. A bolder accent in the center (like a constellation) on one side and a more subtle harmony of knots on the other side. We applied the copper apron on both sides so you are free to choose how to orient it.

I am realizing that my writing ability today is overwhelmed by the multiple outstanding features. It is like trying to use all my muscles to push through the inexpugnable castle gate. I think this ofuro even more than the others cannot be explained with rational means. It definitely belongs to the realm of the emotions, with its stronger than average hinoki aroma (due to the knots), the thick walls and the organic pattern of the wood grain.
Yes, I am sure that absorbing this primitive strength from the fibers of this tree will provide the owner the power to break through the sturdiest castle gate!
(oh- I think I went a little too far…)

(more…)

ventilation and A/C

you’re saying natural air circulation is needed, and A/C can dry up the natural humidity of the wood in few days.
Unfortunately, the master bathroom where your tub is supposed to be located has no natural air ventilation.
It only has A/C. Do you think we are still okay with buying your asunaro tub?
Please let me know what can be the possible issue.

In your case, it is very spacious compared to most bathrooms. Also considering the air volume of the room, the air conditioning should not be a threat for the ofuro but is important that the air stream coming from the AC unit is not pointing directly towards the ofuro.

About the ventilation, air extraction fans tend to exhaust the air near the suction area while the dump air may stagnate under the tub or in narrow gaps.

This is the reason we recommend natural ventilation: because the air moves and forces the humidity out of its “hiding places” and into the exhaust.

A very efficient surrogate of windows is to place a fan or air-circulator on the floor directing the airflow towards the bottom of the ofuro for about 30 minutes after the bath.

It may not be needed because of the NY weather or the good functioning of the exhaust system, but the owner can keep in mind this option and implement it in case the need arises.

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