A public bath house in Japan is called “sento“ and is usually a hidden, intimate place.
Japanese people don’t go there to swim but to wash and to clean themselves and to relax. Aside from this personal hygiene aspect bathing in Japan has a highly religious meaning.
The first “sentos“ were built in a time when people did not yet have private bathrooms in their houses. In order to wash thoroughly they went to one of the numerous, near-by public bath houses. Nowadays these “sentos“ are mostly located in the traditional quarters of a city. Here you can find one in almost every street.
Many “sentos“ still exist even though they have become less important due to the increase of private bathrooms. Nowadays mostly older residents, but also some younger ones, visit these small public facilities. Private showers obviously cannot totally replace the warm and comforting hot water basins of a “sento“. The water often contains minerals and has a constitutional effect.
Furthermore, the social aspect of a “sento“ visit should not be underestimated. People know each other and like to meet in the afternnoon or at night to have a little talk and to keep in neighborly touch. There are separate bathing area for men and women.
In most “sentos“ time seems to have come to a standstill. Lots of them have been family property for decades. Therefore, the atmosphere feels familiar and has a nostalgic charme. Many old “sentos“ are decrepit and just like the traditional city districts are threatened by demolition; they have to make room for modern houses and are replaced by modern “sentos“ on the outskirts.
However, there are still several thousand traditional “sentos“ in Japan, not only in the cities but also in rural areas. |
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Peperoni Books 2008 /// 96 Seiten /// 215 x 270 mm /// Fadenheftung, Streifbroschur /// 40 Duoton-Abbildungen /// deutsch, englisch, japanisch
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€28.00
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