As for Tsubaki, she continues to advocate for victims of human trafficking, using her story to raise awareness and support for those still trapped in the darkness of exploitation. Her courage and resilience serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking freedom and justice.

The experience had a profound impact on Tsubaki Sannomiya. She was eventually reunited with her husband and children, but the trauma she endured left lasting scars. With the support of her family, social workers, and counseling, Tsubaki slowly began to rebuild her life.

In the world of organized crime, the Yakuza is one of the most notorious and feared syndicates, with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The Yakuza, also known as the Boryokudan or Gokudō, has long been associated with Japan's underworld, engaging in various illicit activities such as extortion, loan sharking, and human trafficking. One of the most shocking and lesser-known aspects of Yakuza operations is the trafficking and exploitation of women, often through forced prostitution or marriage. The story of Tsubaki Sannomiya, a married woman sold to the Yakuza, is a disturbing example of this dark reality.

Her story serves as a testament to the dark underbelly of the Yakuza and the horrors faced by women trapped in their web of exploitation. Tsubaki's courage in sharing her experiences has helped raise awareness about the issue of human trafficking, both in Japan and worldwide.

Married Woman Sold to the Yakuza Tsubaki Sannomiya
Married Woman Sold to the Yakuza Tsubaki Sannomiya

We started with Clé Tile’s modern farmhouse brick in matte white. I love the handmade quality and the color variation. No brick is exactly the same and thats what makes this install extra special. Next, we used TEC Power Grout. This grout is much more stain resistant and holds form better during the application process. We used it in “bright white”.

Next, to get the spacing, our tile guys cut leftover pieces of the terrazzo we used in other parts of the house in 1″ stripes. This can easily be done with wood strips but we used what we had on hand. These strips were then removed as the thinset cured.

That is it! I don’t think I would use this treatment on a steam shower or a bathroom with poor ventilation. Our shower doesn’t have a door so it gets plenty of airflow which may also be why the grout has not discolored at all for us. We also have noticed a few hairline cracks in the grout as the house has settled, but overall I am extremely happy with how it turned out and has held up. I hope this helps to inspire new ways of using traditional tile shapes and here’s hoping it continues to last! proceed at your own risk. ha x

 

Sources: Tile is Clé Tiles Modern Farmhouse Brick in Matte White // Grout is TEC Power Grout in “bright White” // Shower faucet from Rejuvenation

Married Woman Sold to the Yakuza Tsubaki Sannomiya

  • Shannon

    Never will there be a fancier temporary spacer than terrazzo- ha! It looks absolutely stunning.

  • I had been wondering how that thick grout line would hold up as most sanded grouts say max 1/2”! Thank you for sharing! It’s beautiful!!

  • Haley

    Love it. I want to see your vanity! Also, are your terrazzo floors matte or glossy finish? X

    • Ashlea

      I second this!! I actually came on here hoping we’d get a little morsel on the custom concrete vanity/sink. But perhaps she’s been giving it time just like this tile install before sharing.

  • Lisa

    Thank you for sharing! It turned out fabulous and I appreciate you wanting to make sure it held up well.

  • Claire

    Hi sarah,

    That tile is so beautiful! I want to do something similar in my shower but worried the thick grout will start to show cracks after awhile. Did you seal the grout in yours?

  • Lauren

    What mirror is that? I have been looking for a similar mirror? Is the mirror backlit?

  • Tracy

    Did you have to fill in the 1″ area of grout enough to cover the top and bottom of the tiles?

  • […] matte white on the walls and the Natural Zellige on the floor. Read all about how we executed the wall tile treatment here. I designed the custom concrete vanity with an integrated sink and had it fabricated […]

  • Jamie Lea Barahona

    I am curious if you could give any insight into how the application of the grout was done. How did you keep the one inch grout line looking smooth while also making sure to remove any grit haze from the tile? I would be afraid that as I wipe the grout off the tile face that I would mess up the finish of the thick grout line. I really want to try this but it makes me nervous!

  • Gina

    Did you use a schluter tile edge strip where the tile transi to REGULAR wall?

    • Sarah Sherman Samuel

      Hi Gina!
      No, Cle offered glazed trim tile so it looks like an edge so no need for a schluter.

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