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All about Ofuro Tubs

repulse-bay-ofuro-cloudsBartok design round ofuro in sawara cypress at the Cabana club, Repulse bay, HK

Jon Reyes, from Steam Shower Store wrote this article for Bartok design. Enjoy! —


 

The culture of japanese-style bathing

People have always enjoyed bathtubs and hot tubs as a way to relax and unwind, but more and more, the benefits offered by ofuro tubs are convincing homeowners to consider the possibility of incorporating this holistic Japanese tradition into their daily lives. With a variety of styles to choose from and the possibility of customizing a tub to suit any bathroom, ofuro tubs are a great choice for anyone.

An ofuro tub isn’t about just taking a bath. Traditionally, these Japanese tubs are used after you’ve already cleaned yourself in the shower – no soaps or shampoos should be used in an ofuro tub. Instead, use the tub to enjoy mineral salts or aromatherapy oils after you’re already clean, to experience a deep soak and indulge in a meditative time of contemplation.

These tubs are almost twice as deep as typical North American or European tubs, letting you sink in up to your chin to enjoy a thorough submersion into the soothing hot water. With no overflow tap, these tubs are designed, if anything, to overflow over the top and onto the floor, with a drain system installed underneath. This allows for an all-encompassing soaking experience, to help you truly relax and enjoy the many benefits ofuro tubs can offer.

Ofuro tubs are traditionally made with hinoki wood, and Bartok Design continues this tradition. The hinoki wood features a compact grain and a therapeutic lemony fragrance, which helps users relax and enjoy the natural, holistic experience of using the tub. Bartok Design also offers tubs made with asnaro wood, another traditional Japanese wood which boasts a knotless look and is especially termite resistant.

Tubs are designed to fit any bathroom style – either sueoki or umekomi. Sueoki style design has the tub positioned directly on the floor, letting the natural wood texture be a feature element of your bathroom design. With umekomi style, the tub is recessed into a half-wall or floor, making the wood of the tub less visible from the outside – but still natural and beautiful on the inside. These tubs provide a clean and modern-looking aesthetic, making them well-suited to any bathroom design.

cabana-hk-bartok-ofuro-skyscrapers
a beautiful ofuro and local beauties in Repulse bay – Hong Kong



Benefits of ofuro tubs

Ofuro tubs provide a number of valuable benefits that make them an especially attractive option over a regular bathtub or a hot tub. These benefits can be achieved by a 30 minutes to one hour soak each day, following a cleansing shower. This traditional Japanese style of bathing isn’t about getting clean, it’s about maintaining your health with a beneficial soak.

With the natural feel and scent of the hinoki or asnaro wood, an ofuro tub helps create a zen-like experience for the user. Enjoying a meditative soak will help boost your mental and spiritual wellness, making you feel more refreshed after a long day’s work. This can help reduce fatigue, relieve stress, and clear the mind.

The heat from the tub and the deep submersion work together to stimulate blood circulation, which helps promote a healthy immune system and aids your body in fighting colds or influenza. Sore, tight muscles will benefit from an ofuro tub as well, since the enveloping heat can loosen and relax the body. These benefits will only increase with regular, prolonged use. The ofuro tub is a perfect complement to a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to their many health benefits, ofuro tubs are also easier to care for than typical hot tubs or regular bathtubs. Since the ofuro tub is filled and drained with each use, there’s no need to use chemicals to adjust the water’s pH balance and keep it clean. Instead, you can just fill your tub whenever you want to use it, enjoy a relaxing soak, and drain it easily when you’re done. Since you won’t be using soaps or shampoos in the ofuro tub, you also won’t see any buildup or residue left on the tub after use.

The many benefits of ofuro tubs make them a great addition to any home. At Bartok Design, they are happy to work with their clients to provide a perfect tub to suit your needs, so that you can see for yourself how an ofuro tub can benefit you. From pre-made tubs to custom designs, Bartok Design has an ofuro tub for everyone.


Article by Jon Reyes, from Steam Shower Store. Jon is a specialist writer and has extensive knowledge in everything related to steam showers, saunas and hydrotherapy benefits.

cabana-hk-bartok-bathtub-eat-sun

ofuro for architect in CA

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!
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Click on (more…) here below to see the more details and the photos of the accessories.
(more…)

Watch out for the march issue of WI!

Just a short note: a minimalist box deign Bartok design ofuro will be featured in The World of Interiors magazine – March issue! O-tanoshimi-ni!

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

Replacement ofuro in USA

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.
IMGP9446
Because the tub is close to a window and may be seen from the outside, we applied the copper apron on both sides.
IMGP9447Click 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…)

Update about indiegogo campaign

The “hinoki aroma cards” campaign had a slow start but is picking up and I am now hoping we can reach the goal! See -> https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards

ScreenShot182

We are 37% funded but have only one week left… Please spread the word!

Here below I am reporting a mail exchange I had with a fellow “japanese lover” who kindly replied to my newsletter. I think that many people feel uneasy about “crowdfunding” all together. I would like to hear everybody`s opinion about!


Question:

Hello Iacopo,
You are a very busy man….
I see your mails I see the info but I am not understanding what you are
doing?
You need venture capital for the new aroma cards from what I understand.
What market is there for the cards ?  Where I am based in *****, I do
not see one, Therefore I would like to know more.
Please give me a short 1 paragraph of what you envisage.
Thanks for response when you can.
Kind regards,

*****


My answer:

Dear *****,

Thank you for your interest.
Crowdfunding is a new (not so new anymore…) system.
It is not only for raising capital. I am doing this project on indiegogo mainly for 4 reasons:

1) it helps me to promote the project (and my brand) thru social media and newsfeeds. Promoting a “product” may feel pushy but promoting a “project” is more interesting and creates involvement.

2) it helps me to study the market needs. By developing a product thru the advice and ideas of the end users, I end up with a more evolved and better targeted product.

3) if I get the campaign funded, the product itself will be more convincing as it could win the heart and obtain the commitment from many people.

4) ultimately, it helps me to broaden my avatar. I am devoted in helping the traditional crafts (not with donations, but with a new market for their skills)  + I believe our society needs a more human and sensorial culture.
My activity in the production of wooden bathtubs helps me progress in both missions. But japanese crafts is not only ofuro bathtubs and I am interested in exploring new markets.

I think there is a huge market for motivational message cards.
https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=motivational+cards&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-ab&gfe_rd=cr&ei=UEV-WJ2cG6fU8AeGm6vgCg

Additionally hinoki cards allow you to bring always the aroma with you!
Also they are more resistant and noble than paper.

This is my thought.
I would appreciate to hear your opinion!
All the Best//

iacopo


How about your opinion? Please comment below!

$1 perks for the aroma cards campaign

How are you? Did you have a nice new year`s holiday?
I worked almost fully during the holiday period and it has been a busy “after the holidays” period as well.
Also for this reason, I neglected the aroma cards crowd-funding campaign which has had a slow start. Anyway, this is a project I strongly believe in and will do my best to get it funded in the 12 days I have left.
The aroma card is not just a great “amulet”, it is a vehicle, a trigger to spread to a wider audience the culture of a deeper and more “conscious” – 6 senses geared – lifestyle.

Please get involved in the campaign here: https://igg.me/at/hinoki-aroma-cards

hinoki veneer

On the product development side, I am experimenting some samples of different cuts of veneer (sliced, rotary cut) etc. and washi paper. I will try which ones absorb and retain the aroma oil better.
Also about this, please check the indiegogo page for more updates.

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