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At 2008 edition of the design week in Milan last April, Japanese two top designers Ryu Kosaka and Yukio Hashimoto presented an exclusive series of bathtubs and washbasins aiming to introduce a new philosophy of bathroom culture in Europe and in the world.

The “FURO – Japanese authentic bath exhibition” showed how Japanese “FURO” (the way of taking a bath), the local natural resources (like wood and natural lacquer) and the skills of a millenary artisan tradition can converge into new aesthetic expression…

Hinoki bathtub

Combining a contemporary fluid shape – a circle section and slightly rounded walls to natural materials, HINOKI bathtub designed by Ryu Kosaka exalts at best the Japanese artisan work as well as the qualities of Hinoki wood.

Beyond its beauty and tactile gentleness, the oil of this Japanese cypress wood is renowned for its healing essences and its relaxing effect. The essences of this wood not only protect the bathtub itself, they also protect and cure the skin of the body while having a relaxed bath.

Material 300 year old solid Japanese cypress with 4 side straight grain without knot. Hinoki wood is a precious, limited resource traditionally used for the construction of Japanese shrines, temples and statues of buddha.

Tomoe bathtub

This bathtub designed by Yukio Hashimoto catches the eye with its elegantn lacquered surface. Black on tender red colour and the modern oval shape create an interesting contrast. This bathtub shows how modern materials can perfectly unite with traditional finishes to obtain superior performances in durability and beauty.

Material finished by Urushi, Japanese natural lacquer, the oldest finishing with antibacterial performance and heat durability.