January 31, 2003
銭湯 Sento 2
I had to be discreet and ended up hanging out in the changing room for quite a while until I got a moment to sneak up and take these. They don't reveal much anyway, but still. Didn't want to freak out anyone.
What I enjoy most is seeing the social interaction. I sat next to 2 women who were friendly neighbors:
"So how is your health? It's been cold lately so we have to be careful, don't we?"
"Yes, indeed. How is your husband? Didn't he have a cold?"
Then later, I saw them washing each other's backs. And I could tell from their conversations that these ladies were just neighbors...not necessarily close friends. But meeting each other and discussing daily events at the public bath is, well, just normal.
My parents are bath freaks. Seriously, they go around exploring various Tokyo neighborhoods and take their bath stuff so if they find an interesting Sento, they take a bath! During random conversations, you may hear them say, "oh yeah, the sento in Takadanobaba has a good outdoor bath, but the sauna wasn't up to par..." Anyway, I remember going to their local bath once, and as I was minding my own business soaking in hot water, a lady came up to me, squinting at my face (since she apparently usually wears glasses) and said, "are you Kennedy's daughter?" She was 'bath buddies' with my mom (meaning they only meet at the bath) and wanted to introduce herself.
Oh yeah. My bath must have problems with 外人 (gaijin, 'foreigners') because I found a poster about how to properly take a bath. For example, don't wash your clothes (!) The poster's title is Enjoy Bath With Manners.
The changing room has a huge mirror so I took advantage to take a picture of post-bath me and my faithful phone.
Posted by Mie at January 31, 2003 09:50 AMI like what you were saying about the neighbors at the bathhouse. I think these sort of things are natural, and somehow it is very endearing to hear people talk like this. Also, me being a gaijin myself, it would be a long time before I got up the courage to strip bare infront of other wemon. I have a problem with this even in my home country! Its amazing the pictures you can take on your camera, and if stupid American phones would figure it out, we could all do this. Anyways, I shall continue with my reading. Supposedly, tell your parents in Matsuyama there is the oldest bathhouse, although I do not know what it is called. Have they been there?
Posted by: cappie at February 3, 2003 05:16 AMHi Cappie,
Nope I haven't been to Matsuyama but I'll ask my folks about it. The whole bath/body conscious thing is interesting. Very cultural and is something hard for adults to change. I agree though...it just seems more natural to be open about it. I think it's important for children to see 'older' bodies so we all know changes are a natural process and nothing to be afraid of. Just my thoughts though...
Thanks for reading!
Posted by: Mie at February 3, 2003 07:01 PMIn my world the Japanese bath has a special place. My husband and I moved to Japan a few days after we married. The first day in Japan one of our new friends took me to a local sento....I could not have found a better place to work off my jet lag. Although gaijin I did not feel uncomfortable for a minute. I must say when my mother-in-law came to visit a few months after our move to Japan (my in-laws are Japanese but live in us) I did feel a little uncomfortable, however, her level of comfort and enjoyment quickly put me at ease. In fact, our conversation at the sento that morning I will always remember. She said it is a shame public baths are not as common anymore because in a bath you become comfortable and you cannot hide anything. I hardly to justice to what she conveyed. It revolves around the fact we rarely get to know people any more...many people hide behind things and never find time to relax and share with others. In the bath you have no choice. Maybe these internet sites are a new way to connect with people in an honest way....hard for me to say because I am new to this type of communication. I like it though cuz it brings back memories and makes me feel connected and forces me to shape my thoughts into sentences that make sense beyond my head. I think I will set up my own blog...is that what this is called?
Do you have advise for someone new to this arena? I kept a daily journal religiously for years and I take hundreds of photos a month so it seems natural--even more natural than a sento.
Back to bathing....I must mention my husband and I are ryokan junkies...the food, the baths, the tatami mats, the soft futons, the food, the food the food...the baths again...just can't get enough!
Thank you for sharing! It is refreshing.
Posted by: lawa at July 16, 2004 01:29 PM