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News

sakura!

after a long winter, finally the sakura are blossoming here and there!

The weather has been bad in kansai area, especially on weekends, so here are some pictures that a friend sent me from Tokyo.

april 2nd:
sakura2
tsubomi: beginning of blossom with prominence of florets

april 5th:
sakura5
mankai: full blossom. This is actually a photo of one of my favorite hanami spots: the Meguro-gawa.

april 7th:
sakura7
chiri-sakura: gorgeous. the trees are still completely white but many petals are falling on the ground. The perfect symbol for the ephemerality of beauty. The peak is also the beginning of the end.

For those of you interested, you can find all you wanted to know on sakura blossoms viewing and real time forecasts on this site:
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/en.php
MG_Tokyo
details are in japanese only. Here is a collection of graphs relative to the Tokyo area:
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/area.php?city=Tokyo
If you still not have enough of sakura viewing you can migrate north little by little and enjoy the peak of cherry blossom viewing everyday!

If you are not yet in Japan, do not be sad: if you go to Hokkaido you will still be able to catch up with the cherry blossom as late as up to the mid of may!

hinoki aroma cards shipped!

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A big thank you again to all who supported us for the hinoki aroma cards crowdfunding campaign.
This is to confirm that I shipped all the items pledged by small-package (airfreight).
There is no tracking code but you should receive the items by 3/31 at the latest. If you do not receive it, please contact me at japanbartokdesign.com

20170324_140031
From now on the [hinoki aroma cards] are also available for purchase!
Please check in the shop. The cards are already finished with essential oil but the aroma may fade overtime. If you want to “recharge” them, remember to purchase separately the essential oil of your choice.

original hinoki aroma cards!

I am about 20days late on the original schedule but I have good news!

The hinoki aroma cards are ready and I am planning to prepare the shipments over the weekend and send early next week.

After that I will also add the actual pictures in the shop page.
But before that, I want to present here an outstanding original design and superb result:
20170317_115740

The client is going to use the cards for a friend`s wedding.
I thought it is a great idea and it may give an inspiration to other people!
Thanking the Ms. D who kindly agreed to show the photo in this blog, I am glad to introduce here the activity of her 2 daughters.
With “Musical traces“, they bring music in the community with classical concerts in local libraries, hospitals and private homes.
Check out their youtube channel.
Not only listening to the skillfully played music is mind soothing, but seeing that the performers are mostly children is heart warming and really inspiring!

This reference is not strictly ofuro-related but I am so glad to have such wonderful clients that I cannot help wanting to let the world know about it!

Enjoy the weekend and look for the musical traces…

World of Interiors debut!

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A short story about the Bartok design ofuros was published on the march issue of the famous british magazine “the World of interiors”!
Well, it is a little embarassing…but I did not see it yet. The issue was released on 2/12 but in Japan it was quickly sold out and is unavailable in the newstands or on amazon at the moment. I asked the editor to send me a copy but I cannot wait to see it!
Anybody has a copy? Please share!


2017.3.17 update:
I could obtain a copy. Please find below the referral to our tubs (on page 156)
(more…)

update about aroma cards

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Hi to all the backers of the hinoki aroma cards campaign!

This is an update about the development: I am a little behind schedule but my laminating company made a great job and finally deivered my hinoki cards! We could use the Kiso valley hinoki and they are much more aromatic and resistant to water than any other wood veneer card I tested until now. There is another good news: I am also tasting other essences and could obtain very stable cards also from sawara wood and koyamaki! I am considering to make it possible to choose the wood essence, but it will introduce after the main product variations have been tested on the market.

I should be ready to ship towards the mid of march: sorry for making you wait. I will keep you updated.

We reached the goal!

With more than 24hours left, we reached the funding goal for the hinoki aroma cards campaign!

170124-indiegogo-goal-reached

I was prepared to boil to the last minutes begging for help but a kind soul saved me from a possible heart-stroke by pledging a hefty 300 USD!

Here is the message I received:
Hello Iacopo,
Have just made your $2000 work for you on the Indiegogo site.
Let me know how it goes…. and if you need any further help.
I really am looking forward to seeing and smelling the final product.

It was an experience of overwhelming joy!
I corresponded before with him but never met in person.
Nevertheless, he is treating me like a friend, helping me even if he does not share my purpose, just because he knows it is important to me.
I hope I will have the chance to return the favor very soon!

Thank you also to the 60+ people who believed in the project and made a pledge.
I should be able to ship the cards around the end of march.

A special thanks goes also to D. who made several small contributions.
She made one more order few hours ago and added:
I just pledged 15 USD and, purchased an additional set…
I want you to be successful!
This is a wonderful idea.

It was exciting to have so many people believing in the project!
It was also very fulfilling that even some who did not believe in the project contributed anyway.

Thank you all and keep your expectations high! The hinoki aroma cards will be amazing!

instagram page and indiegogo

Two great, palpitating, exciting news:

Mainly with the purpose of promoting the hinoki aroma cards campaign, I started the official bartokdesign instagram page! For all instagram fans please visit the link below:
aromacard-snow
https://www.instagram.com/bartokdesign/

alternatively, link to your instagram account and look for the user: #bartokdesign.
Please share the images of the aromacards! The success of the campaign depends on you.


Second news:
Update about the indiegogo campaign: AAAAAAgh!!!
We are almost there but there are only 3 days left. I still need to collect 500 US$ (25%).
Please share the link below. Your help is crucial!

aroma-campaign-capture
https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards

Thank you and All the Best//

iacopo

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