Japanese Bathing

As Japan is situated on volcanic islands bubbling with over 20,000 mineral hot springs,it's understandable that bathing has become a real art form.

Bathing Japanese style in communal hot springs , or as they were once called Onsens.

There are still several Old Onsens in Tokyo where friends and families still gather for an evening soak, scrub backs and drink sake (as photo above) at communal public bathhouses.
It's said that if you follow the onsen bathing etiquette and have a good long soak,expect to be congratulated for attaining the state of yude-dako. "The boiled Octopus"
The Japanese was once said to get clean before they bath. Ancient traditions made scrubbing and cleansing the skin before soaking in the hinokiburo, a traditional Japanese bath tub.

So different to home bathing,which in solitude, was a time for centering the mind, re balancing and recovering a sense of well being.

A lovely water treatment renowned for it's deep cleansing and healing properties,is a great
Seaweed Soak. Seaweed has been high on the list of natural remedies for centuries.
Best to soak at home for this one, (can get seaweed from health food shops) . Dilute 60 grams (2oz) of dried seaweed with a small amount of hot water. Allow the seaweed to dissolve,add it to warm bath water and soak for no more than 20 minutes. But do please ask at health store for any other instructions,as this is how I use it. Enjoy.

Art of Bathing

Bathing Rituals, Bathing Solutions, Fragrant Bathing. Is it something we need help with or just something that has a history,is romantic and is interesting.

Hi every one I hope to cover as much as I can for you on the Art of Bathing. Over time will post tips and ideas,even some history on bathing,which I'll start with now.

It is believed that the Egyptians were truly obsessed with their personal hygiene. Cleopatra so well known for her goats milk baths.Their must be some truth in the fact that the goats milk is good for the skin,as she had the most beautiful skin,written about in history books for years.If you can think of history and how advanced the Egyptians were.They had what we call spa baths built from beautiful colored tiles,steps down into the water.The romantic settings are still enjoyed by us all today.

The Turkey Bath houses used more as social gathering so important in their daily lives.
To the Romans bathing was classed as a ceremonial ritual.
People have found so many different ways to bath over the centuries.From hot pools and springs,to make shaft tubs of putting stones together.Even the use of plastic bags in a hole in the ground.We have come a long way over the centiries,but than again have we.Cleopatra might have something to say about that.

More to come : Pamper,cleanse,purify,refresh.