japanese ofuro bathtubs, tatami, shoji screens, rainchains

Did you know you can order just a duckboard?

In this case, a friend architect ordered one for (I imagine) a very special bathroom. We had a detailed correspondence about using the planks long wise or width wise. We custom built the sleepers to adjust to the existing slope. The grating was divided in two pieces for easy maintenance. The client chose not to chamfer the corners of the planks for a sharper look. We adjusted the size a couple of times.
Every communication was done in a fast and accurate sequence of questions and answers, like in a ping pong game. Perfect.
Well, almost perfect...
The sunoko is now happily installed, I hear, but... we are having 2 practical problems. I am mentioning it here so it can be of reference for other cases.
We strive for perfection but sometimes problems happen all at the same time...
Please bear with us as we will do our best to assist you in any circumstance.

problem 1) One plank was damaged during the transportation with EMS!

solution 1) All the shipments are insured. If you already opened the box and used it for more than a week, there is nothing we can do from our side. You will have to file the claim to the post office, they will produce a damage report. Send it to us. We will file it to the japanese post office and obtain a refund. Meanwhile we will make a new sunoko section and ship it to you. Sorry for the trouble!

solution 2) No kidding! I confirm we use SUS1818 type stainelss nails.
As you can find on internet resources (wikipedia etc.), the only case that stainless steel produces rust is when it gets in touch with another ferroid material. The chrome coating anti-oxidation barrier of stainless steel is neutralized by the electrolitic effect of the two metals touching.

Cause:
a) It is possible that some metal dust from the hammer remained on the nail head
b) or maybe your water is very rich in iron

Solution:
Dip a moist, soft toothbrush in a box of baking soda. Or you can use a mild pickling gel. Rub back and forth gently on the stained area. Rinse abundantly.

This is for all of you who visited our warehouse (and for all of you who plan to visit...)
On 6/28 we are moving! The new warehouse/showroom will be operational from 7/1.

We are relocating closer to Chiba, within the Tokyo Central lumberyard - Chiba lumber center.
The address is: Yoshioka 496 Yotsukaidō City, Chiba Pref.
The closest station is Yotsukaido Sta. (on the JR Sobu line for Chiba)

We are actually very close to Narita Airport, you are welcome to drop by on your way back!

Please enjoy the second video in my kabuki experiences series. This video is a short run through of where this wonderful opportunity has taken me.

For those of you with additional interests in Japan, we have prepared a short video of how I was invited to perform with a village kabuki group.
Kabuki is a stylized Japanese drama that includes dance, best recognized by the ghost-like white make-up that the actors apply. Click here to read more about Kabuki on wikipedia. Village Kabuki is a non-professional version of Kabuki that were and still are community events in the more rural parts of Japan.
I have been performing for 10 years now and it is wonderful to be part of a fading tradition in Japan. Please enjoy!

Here is another short VTR that Yoshiaki took in Kiso valley when visiting the ryokan of a friend.
The place is located in Nagano-ken, Kiso-gun.
The name of the ryokan is: NEZAME-SANSHI (=purple mountains). This is because the mountains surrounding Kiso in all directions turn to purple at sunset.

I hope you enjoy!

We prepared a short VTR about our japanese ofuro tubs.
How do you like it? We welcome your comments!

Our client decided on option B, the doors with a contemporary feel. Below are the products ready to be shipped.

Shoji doors are usually made with rice paper, however, rice paper is delicate and doesn't fair well in humid environments, like a bathroom. We recommend to replace the paper with a synthetic material that looks like paper call warlon. This fascinating material is used for many interior applications in Japan today. (Warlon website in Japanese only)

Above are the rails that are to be fitted above and below for the doors to slide.

And for the final touch wooden wainscot paneling, and Japan has been brought to your home!

We had a client who wanted a comprehensive Japanese look for his room. The image above was taken from the bedroom facing the bathroom and closet. Our client wanted to used traditional Japanese shoji doors to separate the spaces.

I sent my client the following two proposals:

Option A is classic Japanese but involves more pieces. This design includes a column and beam casing which separates the closet doors from the bathroom doors and the top storage from the full sized doors.

Option B is simple and more contemporary. There are no exposed columns so the doors look like parts of a whole and because there is no beam the ceiling will feel higher.

Options A and B can also be mixed and matched according to one's vision.

I opened a group on facebook with the title: "japanese bath lovers".

Of course I`d be glad if you join!
Feel free to share your photos and experiences about japan, japanese spas, and anything you feel appropriate!

here is the url: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=159922796737&ref=mf

Here are some pictures of a beautiful hinoki bathtub installed in Tokyo.
click on the pictures for an enlarged view!

Dear friend,

Did you contact us some time ago with reference to a quotation for a japanese tub?
Is your project still on track?

Or did you just knew about us and wish to have a quote?

We are at your disposability for any question/problem.

Also, note that if you confirm your order in september, we will be able to apply a 7% discount on the quote for what concerns hinoki products! (no discount on the transportation cost.)

There will be an extra 3% discount (10% total!) for the first 3 tubs ordered in september.
Updated 090909: sorry, the extra discount has been allocated...

This offer starts today aug/25 and expires sept/30/2009 at 18:00 JST.
Please note:
* This offer cannot be cumulated with other discounts.
* This offer is valid only for bank transfer payments (no credit cards or paypal)
* This is Bartok design`s first promotional sale.
* We do not have plans to make it a regular feature and in case it will be repeated it will not be before august 2010.
* These conditions include a governamental 5% tax facilitation.

Contact us for further details!

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!)

   

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.

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.

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...

By popular demand...
Finally....

We are now able to accept payments by Credit Card via PayPal.

Feel free to ask us for more details.

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 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 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.

These are some pictures kindly participated by a client and friend who owns a large knotty hinoki tub. He refurbished a country house in central Italy and is the lucky owner of this unique bath house...

how can I properly comment these pictures?
I come up with this haiku (short japanese poem):

samu fuyu ni / kokoro atameru / kimi no aijo

in the cold winter / warming up my heart / your friendship

We always receive the same question:
Q. How should I maintain/clean the tub?

The answer is always:
1.Ensure good ventilation in the bathrom.
2.You may wipe the tub dry after use if you want.
3.Never use soap or detergent to clean the tub.
4. Do nothing, just enjoy the tub.

5. If you find some stains you may remove them with alcohol or other stain remover - only applied on the spot - rub gently and rinse thoroughly.

The tub needs love and care more than maintenance.
If you use it often (preferably daily), keep an eye on the hygrometer and take care of small stains as soon as you spot them, you tub will have a long and happy life.

Anyway, our clients feel this is not enough. They want to do something. They want to be proactive and show concretely their affection for the tub.

Over the years we tried vegetable base detergents, non-oil oils and ecologic cleaners.
They were sticky or just meaningless and we continued to recommend just - pure love - to take care of the tub.

But yes, we finally found a product we can recommend for cleaning and rehidratating the wood. It is an oil base product from the same line as the ones used for aromatherapy.

See our product page for specific information and use instructions.

Japanese people do not use hiba oil for clenaning wooden bathtubs but it has amazing applications in our everyday life. Here below are some detailed information about Hiba oil:

FIELDS OF USE

1. MEDICAL:
Hiba oil is used to prevent nosocomial infections, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
It is also used to treat eczema (atopic dermatitis).

2. SANITARY:
Hiba oil is used　together with Squalane (a natural moisturizing factor) in soap and shampoos particularly indicated for delicate skins.
Hiba water (a byproduct of the distillation of hiba oil) is used as a fragrance in bathing salts.

3. AGRICULTURE:
Hiba oil is used to prevent plant diseases originated by mold (wood moulder disease, root rot disease etc.).
In apiculture is used with good reasult to prevent and fight chalk disease (Ascospharera apis)

4.FOOD PRESERVATION:
Hiba oil is used for conservation of fresh (not frozen) melon, strawberry, mushrooms.
It is also used as a natural flavouring agent for candies and other foods.

PROPERTIES

1. BACTERICIDAL:
It prevents conditions for the development of mold and fungi.
Hiba oil has a wide spectrum of action against many different families of bacteria and is especially effective to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

2. MIND STABILITY:
Hiba oil has a proven relaxative qualities. Stress relief has been laboratory tested on Guinea pigs.

3. INSECTICIDE:
Hiba oil has an insecticidal action against thermites and cockroaches. It is also used as an insect repellent against fleas and mites.

4. DEODORANT:
Hiba oil smoothes strong smells.
It is specially effective against smells originated by body activity (ammonia, aminoacid base).

Our client was so kind to send us the photo of installed asnaro bathtub so we are glad to publish it here!
The asnaro wood paneling creates a warm atmosphere, a kind of "other world", a natural corner.

I am sure here you can forget the cold of central european winters and re-energize body and mind...

I think the local contractor made a great job and the spout was partially recessed inside the wall as planned. Afterall no matter how our cultures may be different, working with wood and loving wood is definately a common heritage.

The tub going to paris is ready to be packaged and shipped.
It is a really nice tub, I am almost sorry to see it go...

hajimemasite - nice to meet you.

It was a long time we wanted to start this blog but always had other priorities for the day...
Anyway, in these pages we would like to convey you the passion of our craftsmen, the warmth of the wood. We enjoy our work and are starting to feel a little guilty if we keep all this for ourselves... So find here some pictures and some comments (when we have the time to post).

For all who do not know, "daiku" is the carpenter, the meister in wood-working.
This blog is not a sophisticated one, you will find here sawdust, sweat and all our smiles!

Note that this is a rare photo I managed to take with Mr. Ikeda and Mr. Kondo.
They are always busy and never stop. When we get a chance to sit down, we chat drinking tea, so I never manage to take an official photo of us to put in the company profile...