sawara ofuro | Search Results | Bartok design Co.

About US made tubs

What are the differences between Japanese ofuro and tubs made in the U.S.?

Here are the 3 main differences between US-made tubs and real japanese tubs which make the two products difficult to compare.
1a) almost all US made tubs are coated with urethane. The look is natural but may feel a little cold and hard (like plastic) and have no aroma.
1b) Japanese made tubs are un-coated. You can feel the warmth, aroma and soft touch of wood but if the environment is too humid they may develop mold stains.

2a) US made tubs are assembled as a cabinet (see the corner mitered joint) and often made of finger joint glue-laminated wood.
2b) Japanese tubs are and are built like a boat and are made of solid wide lumber laminated with dowels

3a) US made tubs are made in red cedar, hard woods (like teak) or Port Orford Cedar (most of the makers call it hinoki – but it is not.) Please note that hinoki usable as construction material grows in Japan and Taiwan only.
3b) Japanese tubs are made with japanese softwoods (hinoki, asnaro, sawara, koyamaki). For flooring or wainscoting we use man planted lumber while for making tubs we use exclusively 250-300 year old trees lumber from primary forests.
Well seasoned wood is very stable but in extreme conditions of dryness it may warp or crack.

Ladle with handle

dimension: 170x290H / 6 11/16″ x H=11 7/16″

8 tubs for HK restaurant

Until now most of our production was directed to end users, anyway recently more Bartok ofuros are installed in commercial projects.

This time a restaurant in Honk Kong will employ 8 large round tubs (each seats 6 people).
We dealt with the architecture office in charge of the design and the order process was smooth and carried out with professionalism.

The view of our warehouse in these days is really surreal…
We completed the first lot of 4 which will be shipped in a container.
The second lot is due to be delivered in august.

Here are the specs:
* material: japanese knotless sawara wood round shape bathtub
* size: Dia 2000mm x H730mm (600mm deep)
* details: SUS metal straps. Internal bench. Iron brand at center top.
Next time I go to Hong Kong I will definitely want the experience!

round tub for Long Island

This barrel type bathtub is so bold and well proportioned.I am dying to see the pictures of the actual installation!

The ordering process was very smooth. We sent some wood samples for approval and the architect was happy with the “sawara cypress” refined tanned look. Anyway this wood is not suitable to build a duckboard, so the local carpenter will provide for it.

This tub is deeper than normal as the client is very tall.
Here are the specs:
material: japanese Knotless (quartersawn) Sawara cypress wood bathtub
size: Dia 1220mm x H958mm (external dimensions), 838mm(deep)
details: barrel construction, stainless steel bands.
The ofuro is equipped with an internal bench around half of the perimeter.

The bench is also useful an aid to step inside.

kadomaru for israel

This is one of our staples, a “kadomaru” bathtub.

material: Knotless Sawara cypress wood
sizes: L850mm x W630mm x 740mm (630mm deep)
stainless steel wire bands. Iron brand at front top-right

This type of tub ships by air in a cardboard box.
The cost changes from country to country but if you have a budget of 3200 to 3500 US$ (tub & shipping) this tub is perfect for you.
If you require it shallower we can adjust it without extra charges but if you need it longer or wider, than you will have to opt for a full order tub.

＞ After one week the client sent us a kind line:
“I finally got around to opening the packaging of the Ofuro – it’s very beautiful. Thank you very much. Warm regards.”

oval wooden bahtub for Holland

In the beginning of march we received a quotation request from an architect based in the Netherlands.
Their client was interested in a japanese bathtub and we provided some drawings and installation information. Few months passed and we started to think that they gave up on the ofuro project when the order confirmation arrived in november.

Here are some pictures of the tub and accessories:

The tub is made in Sawara wood AB grade (quarter sawn).
Option: stainless steel metal straps, ball-type drain plug
Dimensions are: L1300mm x W680mm x H700mm (ext. dim.) 590mm(deep)
The tub is equipped with a cover split in two halves. and an internal seat.

The picture taken without flash evokes a Akira Kurowasawa movie atmosphere…

And here is a picture of the interior. The client opted for a rubber-ball plug in place of the standard type.

“kadomaru” nostalgic hottub

We decided to replicate a wooden tub that was the standard in every japanese household before the WWII.
It is compact and reasonably priced.
High quality japanese handicraft, solid and durable. We use 100% japanese sawara wood.
The straps are in stainless steel.
Options such as overflow cut are available (about 6,000 JPY extra)
(see an example here: 7-custom_ofuro/happy-end_in_switzerland.php )

check the page in the shop section for updated prices and details.

happy-end in switzerland

About 3 years ago, we received an information request from a swiss gentleman.
He was designing his home and supplied us beautiful drawings and renderings of a japanese style bathroom.
Than, last year we received the request for a quotation of an alternative shape.
Finally, this summer we provided a quotation for this barrel type ofuro … and it was love at first sight! A kadomaru tub offers the original japanese bath experience with an excellent cost-performance balance.

Kadomaru type, sawara wood tub AB grade (knotless)

Dimensions are: L930mm x W630mm x H740 mm (ext. dim.) 640mm (deep)
The tub is equipped with cover in 2 halves
The tub is compact and light, so we could use a reinforced cardboard to package it to reduce the boxing cost and shipping weight.
I am sure the ofuro found a loving host family and that the story had a happy-end!

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