I have found these sources for traditional Japanese wooden tubs:
Inside Out Enterprises
http://insiderweb.com/ofuro_soon.htm
Robert's Hot Tubs
http://www.rhtubs.com/ofuro.htm
SeaOtter Woodworks
http://www.woodentubs.com/tubs_ofuro.html
Oregon Hinoki Products
http://www.molalla.net/ohp/
At the bottom of this page you'll find a list of contractors in
California who have experience in designing Japanese-style bathrooms:
"Are you interested in the Japanese style bathroom?
This is information about constractors who have experienced to
designing & making Japanese style bathroom, and installing TAKAGI
tank-less water heater. They have many of idea and actual
installation. Please contact them who take care of your area. They
will help your application for remodeling your bathroom."
TAKAGI Japanese FRP Box Bath Tub
http://www.at-house.net/waterheater/takagitub.htm
From an article in Forbes:
"Wooden Japanese-style soaking tubs are the new 'in-thing.' These are
deeper than Western tubs, reducing surface heat loss and enabling more
than one bather to be comfortably immersed up to their chins...
In North America, no one makes them like Bay Area-based Robert's Hot
Tubs. The company makes ofuros ($5500), square, wooden tubs crafted
from richly colored teak or aromatic Port Orford cedar. But unlike
Japanese tubs, Robert's Hot Tubs' ofuros are water-tight (thanks to a
special joinery system) and may come outfitted with modern jets as
well as heating and filtration systems.
American Reinforced Plastics makes a round, moderately-priced ($444)
version out of gel-coated fiberglass. ARP plant manager Merle Van
Doren has seen the demand for its Asian-style soaking tub explode in
the past year. It uses everyday plumbing, so there's no need for
special water treatment, heating or filtration. Also, unlike hot tubs,
it's quiet."
Forbes: Splashing Out
http://www.forbes.com/2001/03/16/0316home.html
Here are some deep soaking tubs made with modern materials:
American Reinforced Plastics
http://www.arpbathtubs.com/
Genki USA
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/genki-usa/bathtub1.html
THG Products
http://www.thgusa.com/products.php?parent_id=_32_102_212
Ann Sacks Showroom
http://catalog.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?item=224404&prod_num=PASONZENSOAKING&cross_table_prefix=SACK
MTI Whirlpools
http://www.mtiwhirlpools.com/about/pr_06.cfm
Toto USA
http://www.totousa.com/toto/newproductreleasedetail.asp?npid=77
Last, but not least, here's an article that describes how you can make
your own Japanese-style wooden tub (I include this mainly for its
amusement value. The thing is mighty ugly!)
Mother Earth News: Hot Tub Nirvana for $100
http://www.motherearthnews.com/menarch/archive/goto.asp?article=153/153-048-01&ID=4802&Num=16
Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "ofuro" + "tub"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=ofuro+tub
Google Web Search: "furo" + "tub"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=furo+tub
Google Web Search: "deep soaking tub"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22deep+soaking+tub
I hope this helps! If anything is unclear, or if a link doesn't work
for you, please request clarification; I'll gladly offer further
assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |