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Bringing water to the desert

Airport shuttle bus all to myself
A limousine bus to myself!

This weekend I will be at The Hotel Show at the Dubai Trade Center bringing some much-needed ? onsen water to the desert! As I mentioned in my last post I am jumping all in to explore the b2b side of things. Orders have been increasing from hotels, bars, restaurants and spas so I thought I should come to answer all the questions about japanese ofuro in person.

You might know that our area of Japan was hit by a super-typhoon (tropical storm) a couple of weeks ago. So many flights were cancelled after the bridge to the airport was damaged as well as some flooding of the airport. It is happy for me that the shuttle bus was empty and I could enjoy a beautiful sunset as I take off from Osaka, Kansai Airport. The airport is only just resuming flights so I am very lucky.

See you on the other side! Come and say hi if you are at the Hotel Show too.

sunset over Osaka Bay
Sunset over Osaka Bay

pocket onsen ‘GYO’ campaign ending tomorrow!

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I should have written this earlier, but life is busy also in this part of the world…
Tomorrow the indiegogo campaign is closing (the project is founded! thanks everybody!)
If you are considering to purchase a “GYO” for yourself or to give as a present, this is the last chance.

After the campaign is finished, I will add the GYO to the Bartok shop but the price will include a profit margin. I was considering 1.5 times (which is still very reasonable). For instance, the basic set with young trees oil will become 45 USD instead of 30 USD.
On the other hand, the cost does not really take into account the time for packaging, labeling etc. so I might set higher prices.
Also, 2 operators are interested in distributing the pocket onsen (maybe OEM) so I will have to protect their prices. In brief, I am now considering to set retail prices to about 210% of the production costs (which is still very reasonable!)
pocket onsen GYO – young trees → 6,000 JPY including shipping (now 30 USD + shipping)

pocket onsen GYO – special reserve → 9,000 JPY including shipping (now 50 USD + shipping)

pocket onsen GYO –  compare set → 12,000 JPY including shipping (now 65 USD + shipping)

(more…)

sawara blossom… – outlet tub – sold out –

sorry, sold out!

IMGP0671There is one characteristic in common among out last three outlet tubs: they are all made with sawara wood.
In this period (of course it is not the season, is more of a market trend) there is a lot of sawara on the market. Some of our suppliers offer nice and cheap lots of sawara. Some other lumberyards in our network decide to put the world “end” to their secular business and get rid (slowly but constantly) of their stock. Again more and more premium sawara wood lining up in our warehouse. (more…)

miracle for two – outlet tub – sold out –

sorry, sold out!

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Sawara is becoming a very popular material also among the japan lover expats community because of its warm cherry like color and reasonable price.

This outlet tub is round (there is a small eccentricity of 10mm) and is suitable for 2 …intimate… people.
The outlet tub is unbranded at the moment and you can indicate if you want us to apply the bartok design iron brand and the preferred location.

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(↑ photo of the back side: note the end of the metal straps is hooked into the wood. This is the same traditional detail as the kadomaru tubs.)

Here are the specs:
dimensions: Dia 900mm (+/- 5mm) x H740mm (external dimensions) 630mm(depth)
material: knotless natural Sawara wood
drawing: outlet180215-sketch

quotation:
1) AB grade tub (quatersawn) : 295,000. JPY
2) Packaging: 110x110x94cm plywood box: 36,000. JPY
3) transportation: to be quoted (please let us know your exact address: we will provide a quotation before you purchase the tub)

Please contact us at japan *at* bartokdesign.com with any question you may have + indication of your address.

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waiting for the spring…

This year we are experiencing a cold and long winter with meters of snow on the traditionally snowy west coast.
Even the major cities such as Tokyo or Kyoto were coated in white several times.

But spring will come.
In the TV news they started to show the first sakura buds from Okinawa, to reassure the people sensitive to cold (like me…) that indeed spring will come sometime soon!
While waiting for the spring, I recommend the 3 following actions:

1) warm up in hot water! If you have an ofuro, you know what I am talking about.

2) enjoy the last spurt of winter lethargy on the SU~ day bed!
You can check the video on how it is built here:

or just jump to the indiegogo page to order one while the 25% OFF conditions last -> https://igg.me/at/SU-DAY-BED

3) prepare for a fresh start with new fragrant hinoki business cards!
more information at -> https://mokumei.com/
mokumei-home

With the 3 tips above, I am sure you will be able to cut thru the last icicles and fully enjoy the coming spring!
In any case, if you still feel cold or cannot sleep because of a creative idea, or a craving for a bowl of miso soup, please write me!
I am looking forward to do something together!

All the Best//
iacopo torrini

new branding for the day-bed project. SUU SUU …

As you probably know, I am running a crowd funding campaign on indiegogo to produce at lower cost the wood and leather bed I designed for an English client (of course with his approval and encouragement!)

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The prototype came out really nicely: the balance between the materials, sizes, colors is very stylish and above the expectations. I uploaded the photos into the crowdfunding page, but when I tried to change the status from “concept” to “prototype”, the system did not allow me to.

As a coincidence in that very timing, a friend contacted me with the greeting: “I have to pull your ears…!”

He told me he just found the campaign through the link on the bartok design blog.

●PROBLEM #1: Looking at the banner and title, his first impression was that the campaign was a charity! (to buy a daybed for Michael…)

After reading the description the scope and the story behind the naming becomes evident, but here comes another pulling of ears…

●PROBLEM #２: The branding as it is now is too personalized. The person buying it doesn`t want Michael`s bed: he/she wants it to be his/her daybed, not somebody else`s.

●PROBLEM #3: Additionally, being a daybed, it is too easy to associate it with the image of “your friend Michael” asking to stay over for a couple of days sleeping on the sofa (and eventually ending up staying for months eating popcorn and camping in your living room…!!)

These are the reasons behind my decision to re-launch the campaign, with the same product
but with a different branding.

While I still have to add some photos and description, the new campaign page is live!
Please take a look at the link below to see the video of the completed prototype.
https://igg.me/at/SU-DAY-BED

Thanking you in advance for any advice you may have, please find here my Best regards!

Kihada ichiban water repellent

Where can I get Kihada Ichiban?
You can purchase from us.
It comes in 3 sizes:(prices inclusive of packaging, EMS shipping charges and paypal transfer fee – updated as of June 25th,2022)
(please inquire as for some countries EMS is still suspended and we will have to use Fedex or DHL with extra cost)

For Canada, Oceania, Europe, Middle East:
a) 7,800. JPY / 1kg + 6,900. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 14,700 JPY
b) 29,000. JPY / 4kg + 16,300. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 45,300 JPY
c) 110,000. JPY / 16kg + 50,400. JPY (Packaging + EMS)= 160,400 JPY

for Asia
a) 7,800. JPY / 1kg + 4,800. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 12,600 JPY
b) 29,000. JPY / 4kg + 10,200. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 39,200 JPY
c) 110,000. JPY / 16kg + 26,700. JPY (Packaging + EMS)= 136,700 JPY

for the U.S.A.
a) 7,800. JPY / 1kg + 8,300. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 16,100 JPY
b) 29,000. JPY / 4kg + 18,900. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 47,900 JPY
c) 110,000. JPY / 16kg + 57,900. JPY (Packaging + EMS)= 167,900 JPY

for South America and Africa
a) 7,800. JPY / 1kg + 8,300. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 16,100 JPY
b) 29,000. JPY / 4kg + 21,400. JPY (Packaging + EMS) = 50,400 JPY
c) 110,000. JPY / 16kg + 61,100. JPY (Packaging + EMS)= 171,100 JPY

If you let me know your preference, I can send you a paypal payment request.

After sanding, apply in 2 coats before the first one is completely dry (otherwise the second coat will not be absorbed).

NOTE:
(sorry, prices have been updated on june 4th 2021 after EMS has been finally resumed from Japan to USA but with hefty price increments)
(updated again on 9/17 for options b and c)
(prices updated on feb 16, 2022)
(country categories updated on aug 5, 2024)

difference between shapes

Can you tell me the advantages and disadvantages of using an oval shape vs. a rectangle shape, in terms of comfort? And how many people could comfortably fit? Also wondering about the various heights of the different tub options you sent, If I used a seat, it doesn’t seem like the water would cover my body up to my neck. How does one do that?
Many questions I know! If I keep the water in the tub and just heat it up, how is that done? do you provide a water heater?
The weight when full of water…can you give me an approximate figure? Will my construction framer need to make the floor extra support to hold it?

I wish there was an ofuro I could try in my area! If you know of any public ones in the pacific northwestern area of USA, please let me know!

Japanese bathtubs originate from the technology of boat building. (which are actually build to keep the water outside and not inside!)
About the shape, the rectangular tubs evolved from the method of building boxes.
The round and ingot shape tubs from the manufacturing of buckets.
Therefore the shapes are different in their origin not only in the design but also in their functionality and purpose.
Ofuros have not been designed. They have been shaped by everyday use.
I think this is a splendid example of the expression “the form follows the function” expressed by the architectural modernist movement.

Said that, here I will mention some DEMERITS of the two shapes:
1) round, ingot shape: as the planks are orientated vertically and have their cross section (which is more porous) facing up: they are more prone in becoming stained on the section by black mold (but this is not always true out of the extra humid japan)

2) rectangular tubs: the corners unnecessarily hold some a larger amount of water..!
I am not sure I answered your question…

What is your budget? If you want to use it in 2 people you need at least 1500 of length.
But if you make it deeper and add internal seats… it becomes quite expensive.

Therefore I recommend to use it without seats – which enables to have a shallower tub and also use less water.

For the weight, consider that water weights 1000 Kg per cubic meter.
Therefore it depends on the sizes but a 1500x750xD600mm will hold 670 liters (670 Kg) when filled to the rim.
This translates in 120 p/sf so I think you would need some reinforcing if the bathroom is on the 2nd floor.

Sorry, we do not know of any public ofuro in the US (we supplied ofuros to Singapore and Hong Kong spas.)
For the question about re-heating the water, please check FAQ 71.

All the Best//

iacopo

wood sealing

We recently installed a cedar Ofuro that was sealed on the outside only. Because it is on radiant heat it is beginning to check. Is there a sealer that you have or can recommend that would remedy the problem? Thank you.
Please note:
1) A wooden bathtub placed on a radiant floor will dehydrate and crack. No matter if the wood is coated or not.

2) Besides this, coating only one side only is never a good idea as the wood will be unbalanced and start to warp

3) In case of a japanese bathtub, we never coat it as it would lose its aroma. To make the maintenance easier we suggest to use a full penetration water repellent product (Kihada ichiban)

to solve the problem in your case I recommend:

A) to sand the outside of the tub to remove the coating completely

B) To keep the tub always full to the rim while the radiant floor is on. Even when you are not taking a bath

C) If you want, we can sell the water repellent. It prevents stains and the formation of mold.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

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