| Japanese Baths |
The same water!
Japanese baths are totally different than American baths. Japanese take
a bath every night before they sleep. The shower
and bathtub of the majority of Japanese bathrooms (probably 99%) are in the same room but
are separated. The shower is on the outside of the bathtub.
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The bath tub is not for cleaning. It's
for warming up the body and relaxation. |
Before entering the bathtub, washing the body is the rule. Shampooing
of the hair can be after or before entering the tub. Why is washing before entering
the tub important you might ask? It is because each member of the family uses the
same water. The water is changed only once each day. The purpose of the bath is to
relax and warm the body, NOT to wash. It is not proper to bring the face cloth or
any other towel into the bathtub. Since everyone uses the same water, keeping the
water clean is expected.
Let's conserve!?
In traditional Japanese homes there is a decided order for bath
taking. Usually the Father takes his bath first, if he comes home late then this
order will obviously be different. In most homes the last person to enter take a
bath is responsible for draining the water and wiping down the tub. However, in some homes
the tub water is used the next day for laundry. A hose is use to siphon the water
into the washing machine. Why not, the water is clean. If you have the opportunity
to be a guest in a Japanese home, at some point you will be politely asked to take a
bath. Don't refuse the offer. You may want to be kind and let someone else go
first, but this innocent gesture of kindness could create an awkward situation.
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| Sleeping in a Futon |
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The parts of the Futon
You will love sleeping in a real Japanese futon.
Although hotels in Japan have beds, The Japanese almost always sleep in a futon. The
futon is made up of three main parts.
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| Shikibuton -
This is the portion that you sleep on. It is usually fairly heavy. Kakebuton - This is the blanket that you cover
yourself. It is not that heavy, but it is very warm.
Makura - This is the pillow. The
stuffing for the pillow is a type of bean. But it is very comfortable to sleep
on, as it adjusts to the shape of your head.
While in Japan you may see futons hanging out of windows
or off of balconies. The reason for this is to dry out the futon, as Japan is
so damp. |
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Folding the Futon
In the morning the futon is folded and put in
a closet. It is a custom that the guest who slept in the futon folds it. It is
much like making the bed when you stay at someone's house. Each part is folded
differently. The shikibuton is folding like the letter "Z"
When folding the shikibuton make sure that the underside is the
only portion that comes in contact with the floor. |
The "shikibuton" should be folded
in the shape of the letter "Z" |
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| The kakebuton
is folded into four and then placed on top of the shikibuton.
Then the makura is placed on top of the kakebuton.
Then the entire set is placed in a corner of the room. |
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