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Did you know you can order just a duckboard?

In this case, a friend architect ordered one for (I imagine) a very special bathroom. We had a detailed correspondence about using the planks long wise or width wise. We custom built the sleepers to adjust to the existing slope. The grating was divided in two pieces for easy maintenance. The client chose not to chamfer the corners of the planks for a sharper look. We adjusted the size a couple of times.
Every communication was done in a fast and accurate sequence of questions and answers, like in a ping pong game. Perfect.
Well, almost perfect…
The sunoko is now happily installed, I hear, but… we are having 2 practical problems. I am mentioning it here so it can be of reference for other cases.
We strive for perfection but sometimes problems happen all at the same time…
Please bear with us as we will do our best to assist you in any circumstance.

problem 1) One plank was damaged during the transportation with EMS!
solution 1) All the shipments are insured. If you already opened the box and used it for more than a week, there is nothing we can do from our side. You will have to file the claim to the post office, they will produce a damage report. Send it to us. We will file it to the japanese post office and obtain a refund. Meanwhile we will make a new sunoko section and ship it to you. Sorry for the trouble!

problem 2) Some of the stainless steel nails developed some rust stains!
solution 2) No kidding! I confirm we use SUS1818 type stainelss nails.
As you can find on internet resources (wikipedia etc.), the only case that stainless steel produces rust is when it gets in touch with another ferroid material. The chrome coating anti-oxidation barrier of stainless steel is neutralized by the electrolitic effect of the two metals touching.
Cause:
a) It is possible that some metal dust from the hammer remained on the nail head
b) or maybe your water is very rich in iron
Solution:
Dip a moist, soft toothbrush in a box of baking soda. Or you can use a mild pickling gel. Rub back and forth gently on the stained area. Rinse abundantly.

Our client kindly participated us these pictures.
Looking at the ofuro bath tub from the lavatory area:

Japanese and western. Just like the lucky owner of this sleek bathroom (a japanese-american couple), mixing it up makes life more interesting!

The tub is a large knotless hinoki with tob border frame.

Please enjoy the second video in my kabuki experiences series. This video is a short run through of where this wonderful opportunity has taken me.

For those of you with additional interests in Japan, we have prepared a short video of how I was invited to perform with a village kabuki group.
Kabuki is a stylized Japanese drama that includes dance, best recognized by the ghost-like white make-up that the actors apply. Click here to read more about Kabuki on wikipedia. Village Kabuki is a non-professional version of Kabuki that were and still are community events in the more rural parts of Japan.
I have been performing for 10 years now and it is wonderful to be part of a fading tradition in Japan. Please enjoy!

A great way to complement a hinoki bathtub is with wooden wainscoting.
There are two options to choose from. Narrow [top left] and wide [top right].
The wood paneling is packed and delivered like this:

installed like this:

and looks like this:

another example with granite bottom wall and knotless wainscoting for the high portion of the wall.

Here is another short VTR that Yoshiaki took in Kiso valley when visiting the ryokan of a friend.
The place is located in Nagano-ken, Kiso-gun.
The name of the ryokan is: NEZAME-SANSHI (=purple mountains). This is because the mountains surrounding Kiso in all directions turn to purple at sunset.

I hope you enjoy!

We prepared a short VTR about our japanese ofuro tubs.
How do you like it? We welcome your comments!

Our client decided on option B, the doors with a contemporary feel. Below are the products ready to be shipped.

Shoji doors are usually made with rice paper, however, rice paper is delicate and doesn’t fair well in humid environments, like a bathroom. We recommend to replace the paper with a synthetic material that looks like paper call warlon. This fascinating material is used for many interior applications in Japan today. (Warlon website in Japanese only)

Above are the rails that are to be fitted above and below for the doors to slide.

And for the final touch wooden wainscot paneling, and Japan has been brought to your home!

We had a client who wanted a comprehensive Japanese look for his room. The image above was taken from the bedroom facing the bathroom and closet. Our client wanted to used traditional Japanese shoji doors to separate the spaces.
I sent my client the following two proposals:

Option A is classic Japanese but involves more pieces. This design includes a column and beam casing which separates the closet doors from the bathroom doors and the top storage from the full sized doors.

Option B is simple and more contemporary. There are no exposed columns so the doors look like parts of a whole and because there is no beam the ceiling will feel higher.

Options A and B can also be mixed and matched according to one’s vision.