updated until 2017. use as a reference. we ship worldwide.
A common way to proceed is that you let us know the sizes/image of the ofuro you are looking for, so we can provide a quotation/drawing for your reference and we can start from there for modifications/alternative quotations as necessary.
We received the information request in january and the confirmation one week later.
When we sent the pictures of the completed tub, the client was in Africa as she works as a doctor!
I am so honored to have among my customers people who are so soft spoken yet dynamic, positive thinking and caring! I hope that this ofuro will help her to heal the scars and refill the batteries to successfully tackle everyday challenge!
The tub was ordered thru an architect in NY. It is going to be installed in a niche with 25mm clearance on 3 sides. The wall is finished with hand made tiles… I am dying to see the photos of the installation once completed!
Click more to see additional pictures and the specs of the ofuro.
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Also in this case, the client contacted us in july and confirmed the order in november.
If you pardon me the obviousness, july is a hot season… for hot tubs!
It is a very poetic, very clean round tub. We often use sawara wood for barrel construction ofuro but the client was sure about choosing hinoki!
Click on more to see more pictures and updates (->about the the round cover)
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We received the first “information request” in july and immediately replied with a quotation and tub drawings. Then, the client contacted us again in november and we had a tight back and forth mail exchange about the floor slope and how the tub bottom and spout should cope with it.
Then the order was confirmed in december and we completed and shipped the ofuro in january.
The ofuro was punctually received, they opened it for the roughing of the plumbing and repacked it (for 2 months if I understand) until the bathroom construction is complete.
Needless to say that the client is an architect. Very precise, very professional and the plan well structured.
I always recommend to use an architect to streamline your design and the construction process!
Click on (more…) here below to see the more details and the photos of the accessories.
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The owner of a lovely hinoki tub (not ours) in front of a window decided to replace it after 10 years. The bottom shows some signs of rot even if altogether the tub appears very well maintained.
Probably the drain did not have a proper gradient and apparently it is not draining completely.
Taking advantage of the renovation they will also probably create a tiled ledge on one side of the ofuro to make it easy to sit on the border before spinning the legs and enter inside. This way they will be able to use the tub safely even when they become elderly.
Because the tub is close to a window and may be seen from the outside, we applied the copper apron on both sides.
Click on (more…) here below to see the mesmerizing inside of the tub. Can you imagine the aroma?
Also, you will find the measurements/specs and a note about “flip top” drains. (more…)
Sometimes we deal with architect offices or construction companies, often we deal with end users.
Some clients are rationally minded business owners who have an organized mentality.
Some clients are carrying on their house remodeling and are very excited about the details.
Each tub has its own story which is what makes my work of “bridge between two cultures” so meaningful and rewarding.
This tub belongs to very enthusiastic client who knows what she wants and can communicate it very well.
Every email from the client it is like an energizing potion that leaves me fully recharged for the whole day…!
After about 3 weeks from the first email the tub is completed and ready to be shipped! It is a beautiful custom size kadomaru tub (see the details below)
Material is sawara cypress. The difference of color between the different planks is minimal, but because the wood fibers reflect the light with different angles when taking a photo the contrast appears increased.
Hot water will release a soothing aroma out of the straight grain of this sawara wood.
Here are the specs:
material: japanese Knotless Sawara cypress wood bathtub
shape: kadomaru with customs sizes
sizes: L1100mm x W630mm x 740mm (630mm deep)
details: stainless steel wire bands. Iron brand at front top-right
P.S.
I just sent the photos to the client who immediately replied:
“Please send as soon as you can!”
I am sure the ofuro is going to be pampered in his new home in Australia!
This is the second ofuro we are shipping to South Africa in 2016!
In both cases we were in touch with the clients, architects and interior designers for over a year but it was worth it! Take a look also at the pictures of the manufacture phases:
part 1 – part 2 – part3
Here is the photo of the back side.
We created a new type of overflow cut: it is tuck in the back towards the wall and is drawing the water to a gutter running along the wall.
The spout cover is openable for controlling the built in tap. Not a high tech solution but very practical!
Here is the layout of the whole composition including a duck-board and bench cut with an angle to match the corner of the bathroom. I am looking forward to seeing the completed space!
Here are the specs of the project:
Material: Asnaro wood AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn) t42mm
Size: L1500mm x W750 x H670mm (ext. dim.) – depth 543mm
Details: copper apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right
Option: overflow top cut
Accessories:
* Ledge and filler: W165 x L1500 x H670) assembly on site
* Bench: W 454/367 x D 515 x H 450mm
* Duckboard: W 521/454 x D 400 x H 55mm
* Asnaro wood ledge mounted spout D with faucet
This ofuro in asnaro wood is going to be installed in place of a shower box in a renovation project in Switzerland.
The client carefully planned the layout so you can look out from the window while sitting in the tub.
It is difficult to understand just by seeing the picture, but the “feet” of the tub are on the short side instead of the long side (as usual). Being the tub is a long and narrow niche, the short side will be the front so it makes sense to use this detail both aesthetically and maintenance wise.
This point deserves a clarification.
Basically, the feet (sleepers) also have a structural function in stiffening the bottom plank so usually we cannot place them on the short sides. There are 2 exceptions:
View of the mesmerizing interior of the ofuro!
Here are the specs:
material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn)
size: L900mm x W700 x H690mm (ext. dim.) – depth 600mm
details: copper apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-left
We produced 3 tubs for a spa in Singapore.
As we did not have stock of hinoki (it takes at least 2 months to natural dry the lumber) we proposed to use koyamaki wood.
Koyamaki is the most prized of the “5 trees of the kiso valley” (koyamaki, hinoki, asnaro, sawara, nezuko) and is even more rot-resistant (and more expensive) than hinoki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciadopitys
In this case, we used Koyamaki-B grade, with small knots on both sides. Koyamaki is more knotty than hinoki, thus a knotless koyamaki tub really becomes a premium item.
I did not have time to take the photos in advance since time is tight and the tubs are being packaged.
We are placing the accessories inside to contain the shipping volume as much as possible.
The tubs will be equipped with ledge mounted spouts.
I am looking forward to see the tubs installed and of course … to rush to Singapore for a relaxing and aromatic plunge!
Here are the specs for the tubs:
Material: Japanese Koyamaki B grade (quartersawn, small knots)
sizes: L1800mm x W1200 x H640mm (ext. dim.) 560mm(deep)
details: wooden dowels, copper apron, iron brand at top-right cornerHinoki
accessories: wood wall/ledge mounted spout D type
Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H)
Update!
Our clients, the Elements Wellness Spa in Centrepoint, Singapore have created a fun video showing the spa experience. It’s gorgeous!
A Japanese living in Hong Kong kindly coordinated on behalf of the owner the order or a large hinoki tub for a residence.
The installation will be in a ledge so the also supplied the external panels to be mounted on site.
Yoshiyaki is now holding the front panel to show how to position it. I am skipping the photos of the other sides…
Here are the pictures of how it looks before inatallation, with a double shell construction,
the other side will be recessed in a tiled ledge.
since the tub top frame is recessed on one side to direct the overflow in this direction, we added a base on one side to the cover planks.
Finally, here are the specs:
Material: Hinoki wood AB grade tub
Size: L2000mm x W1000 x H1050mm (ext. dim.) 930mm(depth)
Details: wooden dowel, copper under apron, iron brand at front top-right over flow top cut,
Options: Apron boards panels (supplied separately)
1) Short side: 960 x 508 x 25t
2) foront side: 2000 x 508 x 20t
3) back side: 150 x 508 x 20t
Hinoki wood a removable internal seat W400mm
Accessories:
Hinoki wood traditional cover 1020*x200x21 (10pcs)
Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H):
Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
Sawara wood large bucket（230D 120H）
