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Thanks to all hinoki lovers, our sales of japanese tubs in 2008 increased by almost 50% compared to the previous terms.
We decided it is time to create an indipendent company (separated from my business as an architect) to handle the design, manufacture and sales of wooden products.
One of the merits is that this will allow us a japanese sales tax saving of about 2.5% which will benefit our clients.
The new company, BARTOK DESIGN JAPAN Co. will deal exclusively in wooden products exports. Address and contact numbers remain without variation.
Our new primary bank account is at MINATO BANK, we also have another account at TOKYO MITSUBISHI UFJ BANKING CORP.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any additional information.

Here we are!
Our carpenter worked thru the weekend and the tub is almost complete.
You can see the finished product in the “gallery” pages.
We used a thick wall construction to keep the design of the tub as simple as possible, without using a top border nor skirted joints.

The tub walls are now getting ready.
This is the preparation phase which requires most of the time.
All wood is cut and planed by hand.

We moved this website on a faster server for your convenience. Anyway, due to this reason this homepage and email experienced some down time in the period 1/28 ~ 2/5.
We sincerely apologise for the unconvenience. If you contacted us by mail or by our request form, chances are that we did not receive your kind request.

Here is another phase of the bathtub construction.
The short and long sides are being laminated.
Next, we will prepare the bottom plank and proceed to assemble it together.
Otanoshimi ni mattete kudasai ne!

We started the construction of a nice sloped edge tub.
In this case we will document the construction process.
Watch out for updates!

In these pictures it is easy to understand how the side walls of a hinoki tub are laminated.
First the material is assorted so that knots or other imperfections get discarded and of course, so that the total width of the planks is equal on the four sides of the tub. This is also a way to optimize the use of the material and avoid loss.
The wood is hand sawn by overlapping 2 planks so that with one single cut two perfecly matching planks are cut.

The pictures show the phase when the planks are drilled and connected with woodes plugs (dabo). The planks are joined with a waterproof bond and kept in the press overnight.
The corner of the tubs are realized with a more complex joint which is sealed by the insertion of hinoki wood bark which acts as a kind of natural gasket. Moreover, this bark has excellent fungicidal property and prevents mold stains in the most vulnerable point (the corners).

What am I doing here!?

Actually, today we showed our material and products to a perspective customer from Germany who is visiting Japan.

It is always a pleasure to have a tea together and exchange thoughts with fellow westerners who share with us passion for japan and fine hand crafts.

We looked at the plans and after some talking, we felt it might be easier just to try one tub, as you would do with a pair of boots. We had an “outlet” tub and the client could enter and get a more direct idea of the size and of the feeling of the tub.
Even a smaller tub seems spacious and comfortable when you try it. No big surprise, the sizes we were recommending actually did fit perfect, anyway after trying the tub the client could feel reassured and move forward without worry.
If you visit Japan, drop by for a tub fitting (if you let us the time we can pick you up at JR Maihama station).

Well, we wanted to show you how it works so I found the good excuse to enter the tub myself…

Here is how we are building the 100% natural tub in the traditional way.
The shape most suitable is the “TARU” which is assembled like a barrell with vertical planks of hinoki. The water pressure distributes uniformly on the perimeter and is collected by the stainless steel bands hammered from the bottom up.

The hinoki planks are cut with variable angles so to match eachother seamlessly. Between these we used a natural bond made of rice starch called “SOKOI”. This is 100% natural and does not contain anything but rice and water!