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Japanese Bath

Petey | Posted in Construction Techniques on September 28, 2005 02:58am

I have been searching for plans on how to build a traditional Japanese bathtub, ” Ofuro” as it is called. Anyone out there ever build one or know where to get plans? I know the particulars, how they are used, that they leak etc. just want to find out about the construction. Thanks to all in advance

Just another homeowner…

 

 

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  1. DougU | Sep 29, 2005 03:47am | #1

    Petey

    I think there was a thread in here a while back on this very subject, try a search and see if you come up with anything.

    Doug



    Edited 9/28/2005 8:48 pm ET by DougU

    1. custombuilt | Sep 29, 2005 06:00am | #2

      I spent a couple months in japan and the only bathtubs I saw where square metal portable jobs, that looked like a pig stew pot.

      The did have nice open tiled shower rooms in most places

      Got a pic of what u r refering to?

       

       When in doubt, get a bigger hammer!

      1. DougU | Sep 29, 2005 06:25am | #3

        You need to address the question to Petey.

        I did some work on a house where we did a kitchen, bath and a couple other rooms in Japanese style.

        The tub in the bathroom was like a barrel, deep and smaller around then a normal tub. I think it had a seat/step in it. I'd guess it was about 4'- 4 1/2' deep and diameter of about 3'.  Wasn't made though, store bought, but no idea where.

        Doug

      2. Petey | Sep 29, 2005 10:34pm | #4

        I don't have a pic., just what I saw when I was googling. I'll try to get the web address. It has pictures and info.Just another homeowner...

         

         

  2. RhodieMax | Sep 30, 2005 12:23am | #5

    The book "The Japanese Bath" by Smith & Yamamoto has lots of ideas and sources but no plans.

    The rectanular ofuro tubs are made of clear Port Orford cedar. Where can you get it is the question.

    I'm a pro woodworker and considered building a tub of wood. Trouble is it has to be full of water to seal or will leak if emptied and then there is the task of keeping it clean.

    I found a web site http://www.islandhottub.com
    that suggested using a metal animal watering "stock tub" instead of wood. You can fill and empty it , no leaks no dirt.

    I bought a 4' round tub for $100 at the local farm supply and put my energy into building a rustic little Japanese style "tea house" to house the tub.

    The metal tub feels good and I have one of the propane heaters from Island Hot Tub.

    1. User avater
      talkingdog | Sep 30, 2005 03:19am | #8

      Interesting page, that. I didn't realize that Chofu was still making wooden heaters (Chofu is a huge company); they must have got their start making those, long ago. These days they are the leader in kerosene fired on demand water heaters.I browsed around on the web in Japanese and did not find the requested info on how to make a tub in Japanese. This is not surprising, since wooden tubs are specialist craft items made by "shokunin" and not general carpenters or woodworkers. Way outside the realm of generalists or DIYs, and hence there is no information available on the web (probably some info in an academic book in Japanese in the library somewhere). I guess the only way to really learn how to make one of these things is to go and learn Japanese and then apprentice yourself to one of the last guys who makes them, probably 87 years old. This page, however, has some small drawings and some good pictures (in Japanese, sorry):http://www.utukushi.com/kiburo.htmThere are two main types of tubs, the square dovetailed ones, and the round or oblong coopered ones. Personally, if I were doing one for outdoor or recreational use, I would use the round form factor. Here is a page with some interesting info about these, especially the longevity:http://www.scrio.co.jp/bath_zyuki/index_en.htmIn practice, I have seen and enjoyed a handful of wooden baths in Japan, always in public facilities, and always of the round, coopered type. Actually, the ones I have been in did not have visible hoops around the outside, rather a wooden lip at the top that was pieced together, and which, I suspect, was merely a cover for a metal pressure ring of some sort. A modern innovation, not authentic, I think.I was a little surprised to see how low the prices were for authentic wooden tubs, with the low end at around $2K, which is less than Japanese pay for a mid-level fiberglass tub. Although not very practical, given the cleaning and longevity problems, in a guest bathroom suite for a person with a lot of Japanese visitors or Japanese in-laws, this would be a great idea, I think. Not for daily use, only special occasions.Incidentally, the way to clean the blackening out of the Port Orford Cedar involves using a metal scraper and a lye slurry compound. Not for me.

      1. Petey | Oct 02, 2005 12:52am | #11

        Thank you for the links, it was just what I was looking for. My wife likes an occasional hot soak and I thought the Japanese bathtub would be cool. Also they say that the wood has medicinal properties. Hinoki or Port Orford Cedar being the wood of choice. Got my next home remodeling project on the board. Thanks again, PeteyJust another homeowner...

         

         

        1. User avater
          talkingdog | Oct 02, 2005 04:10am | #12

          Let me offer a couple of tips about the way the Japanese do it.

          Because the Port Orford cedar doesn't last that long, it's really only used in super-high end homes, inns and hot springs. Actually, you see them at mid-range hot springs, because they can afford the cost of replacing them every 12 years.

          I don't know about the medicinal qualities of Port Orford Cedar. It contains an oil, hinokiol, which is used in concentrated form as an termite treatment. I have a little bottle of it on my desk here, and one whiff is a little overpowering. So, a little goes a long way, just like any cedar.

          Anyway, the "80/20" way of doing Port Orford Cedar is to use it solely for decking on the splash zone of the floor of the bath. Normally a Japanese bath will have removable decking that is made of 1x4s of Port Orford Cedar on 1x1 laths, second growth, low quality wood (I think you could substitute the low quality Alaska yellow cedar siding you have on the market there). We buy these at the local home center for $5 each in a 24 by 36 inch size. Usually four or so will cover the floor of the bathing chamber, and during the process of soaping up and rinsing outside the tub this decking gets wet with the hot water and that lovely cedar smell is given off. After a few months of use, the oil in the wood dissipates and it starts to get gray, anf after a year there is visible blackness in areas. So, hey, we just chuck it and go get some new stuff at the home center when we do New Year's cleaning. I think you can see this decking illustrated in that url I posted of the bath. It changes yearly.

          Now, another 80/20 way of doing it, which is the way it's universally done in hot springs for the large pools, is to build a concrete pool witl blocks or RC, then line that with slate or other rough stone, rough granite, and use slabs of Port Orford Cedar just on the lip of the tub. These are typically 4X6 or so, and something you can replace when it starts to get too ugly, or else plane it down till you get to fresh wood again. That's the way I'd do it.

          If doing a spa is your objective, another way is to build an irregular shaped outdoor pool with concrete, line it with exposed aggregate or slightly larger weathred pebbles, and do the rim with large weathered boulders. I prefer the boulder type bath (Fortunately for you, in North America, since nobody values boulders highly there, you could probably get your boulders for next to nothing. In Japan they cost an arm and a leg.) Preferably like this:

          View Image

  3. stinger | Sep 30, 2005 12:59am | #6

    I'll bet if you call Bear Creek Lumber (Winthrop, WA, but ships anywhere) they can get you clear t&g Port Orford cedar.

  4. User avater
    CapnMac | Sep 30, 2005 01:07am | #7

    Plans may be tough.  There's a bunch of sites for pre-built ones, but precious little on ideal (or just plain ol' typical) sizes.

    I want to remember, from making and AutoCAD  Block years ago that I lifted dimesnions from some web site and came up with about 30" w x 54" l x 36" t (and about 7/4 thick).

    The "classic" method is to have the tub freestand, and overflow water does just that, runs right over the side to a drain.  This can be a cool effect inside the house, it just takes some planning.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
  5. Brian | Sep 30, 2005 05:27am | #9

    There were plans years ago in Mother Earth News - for a functional, yet ugly (eye of the beholder...) tub - they main idea in the article was that with a small tub (you'd hold your knees, like a cannonball) the lower surface area of the water would keep it warm longer.

    It was plywood and fiberglass resin - very ugly.

    If functional is the only goal, then why not hit the Ag store for a stock tank.  Or cut an old whiskey keg.

    a Google search brings up a few books on Ofurus...

     

    Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
  6. tejonista | Sep 30, 2005 07:03am | #10

    Here are my observations on how traditional bathtubs are used in Japan.

    The traditional way in which one bathes in Japan is to wash oneself thoroughly before actually stepping into the tub. There's usually a faucet or showerhead near the tub where a person can pre-wash. You have soap, a washcloth, and a bucket or pan with you. You sit down somewhere outside of the tub and fill the bucket/pan with water (hot water, if available). Pour the water over yourself and then start scrubbing yourself all over with the soap and washcloth. Rinse yourself off with more water and repeat if necessary until you're free of dirt, grime, belly-button lint, whatever. Only after you are clean do you step into the tub to enjoy that hot bath! Washing with soap is not done inside of the tub. Let the water from the faucet trickle into the tub and let it overflow onto the floor. Sharing the tub is not unheard of.

    You see that leakage is not an issue because the bathroom is supposed to be designed to handle water on the floor. The depth of the tub is such that the bather, while sitting down, can rest the back of his/her neck on a rolled towel at the edge of the tub, and the water can come up to near chin level as it spills out.

    With much of Japan very Westernized, you probably won't find the traditional arrangement in modern bathrooms. Population density in the cities dictates very small living quarters in apartment buildings unless you are incredibly wealthy. Try a traditional Japanese inn or ryokan to experience an old-style bath.

    Tejonista, in Orange County, Calif.

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