Blog

We received a mail from our previous hinoki-bath customer.
Now she wanted to complete her renovation with japanese style lighting fixtures.

The japanese maker of course cannot offer support or guarantee overseas and we had to ask our client to sign a liability release paper.
Since we are a japanese company we can purchase at 50% off listed prices and transfer this advantage to our clients. Sales conditions vary case by case according to the quantity, makers and products.
Some items are order made and may require one month or more for production. Feel free to contact us for any question.

Here are some photos that do not need many comments…
It is the simple and happy story of a japanese tub in search for a new home (and caring family)

First the arrival in front of a renovated ancient barn…how charming!

Then the installation in its pit (will it really fit? – this was one of the client main concerns.)
While waiting for the tap (not rady yet) the tub is left with few centimeters of water on the bottom to avoid any possible dryness damage. …(and to enjoy even more the asnaro wood scent!)

Lastly, a regenerating view on the garden. A perfect mix of eurpean and oriental sensations!

We received the request from a previous customer of custom bath accessories to match an asnaro tub.

We received precise information and could elaborate it to include traditional japanese construction details.
The small parts in the picture are door pulls and robe hooks.

The “towel ladder” is divided in pieces for an easy assembly on site. This allowed fit within the set sizes for postal parcels. Using EMS mail for small shipments is fast, cheap and without fuss.

By popular demand…
Finally….
We are now able to accept payments by Credit Card via PayPal.

Feel free to ask us for more details.

More and more often, we receive additional requests from previous customers.
Apparently japanese natural items are addictive and once people open their eyes to this new reality, they decided they want to be surrounded by a complete japanese style interior.

Of course we can produce shoji and solid doors. We can build custom furniture, supply planks for wall application (wainscoting) or floor finish.

Additionally, we know dozens of craftsmen with whom we work together on a daily bases on construction projects. For this reason, we can supply tatami-mats, fabrics, gutters, and even lighting fixtures. If you are looking for some japanese products feel free to ask us.
If we can supply what you are looking for, we will prepare a quotation. Our sales margin ranges from 15% to 20% but as it is applied on wholesale prices from trusted suppliers, so you will find the prices very reasonable.

Here above is a large shipment we coordinated for a client in Italy.
It includes custom sized tatami mats, futon, shoji doors with their rails and a beutiful rainchain in copper.

This is a very nice cut of Asnaro wood. It has a large section and could be used for carving a Buddha statue or some aulic application which require the best wood.

We are building a tub for a customer in Belgium and hope he will appreciate some extra service…

New customs rules for imports into California, put restrictions on materials containing formalin also with reference to the packaging.
As plywood (which contains adhesives) cannot be used, we built a solid wood crate.
This is the second going to California this year.
It looks like the box itself can be used to make some furniture or millwork…

Here is a load of fine hinoki “masakiban” from the Kiso Valley. Taking advantage of the poor economic conjuncture, we could obtain a good price for excellent material.
We will be glad to turn this advantage to our clients!
Actually in the recent months, asnaro wood is becoming more difficult to find.
Everibody noticed the beautiful and reasonably priced asnaro and the competition for the best logs is increasing.
Also for this reason we recommend hinoki if you plan to buy a wooden tub in 2009.

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.