KIM COOK
\nAssociated Press<\/p>\n
Some of us are shower people, and some are bathers.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s a way to be both, as the Japanese discovered centuries ago when they developed the ofuro<\/i>, or soaking tub.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, the Japanese get clean with a shower or hand bath and then step into an ofuro, a deep tub full of clean hot water. These tubs are often large enough that several family members can have a communal soak. It\u2019s considered a relaxing and important ritual.<\/p>\n
The idea has caught on in the U.S., and there are now several manufacturers making ofuro tubs suitable for one bather or a couple. Usually about 27 inches deep, the tubs typically have built-in seats, and often a grab bar. They\u2019re available in acrylic, composite, wood, even stainless steel and copper.<\/p>\n
Following are the steamy details on some options, and what should be considered before adding one to your home.<\/p>\n
Wooden tubs<\/p>\n
Bill Finlay owns Sea Otter Woodworks in Haynes, Alaska. While he\u2019d been making outdoor hot tubs for a few years, he made his first ofuro at the request of a business associate, and that sparked an interest in perfecting the craft.<\/p>\n
“I made a couple of fact-finding trips to Japan, then developed my own techniques,” he says.<\/p>\n
Finlay makes the Hinoki Ofuro in a couple of sizes, suitable for one or two people. The material is an aromatic cypress native to Japan; the resin is bacteria- and rot-resistant and withstands humidity. The citrusy fragrance is a common aromatherapy component.<\/p>\n
Acrylic and composite tubs<\/p>\n
Wykoff, New Jersey-based bath designer Holly Rickert recently won an industry award for a design that incorporated an English soaking tub into a Japanese-style bath.<\/p>\n
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