I used to go to a modern sento near my teacher’s apartment twice a week just to get out and relax. It was a bus ride away out in the countryside so I used to combine it with supermarket shopping. I was there after school, so about 4pm. The place was full of grandpas who’d picked up the grandsons from elementary school and got them washed before dinner. Probably grandpa’s only job of the day. It felt like a community center.
This is just as my mother described the experience after living in Japan for 3 years after WWII. She told me that to know people and be a part of the community, you needed to use the bath, carefully follow the body washing procedures, and then just clear your mind to soak in the water. Sounds perfect to me.
I’m glad. For the first time, I wrote away from my keyboard and desk...actually pecking it out on an iPad. I wouldn’t have published but it really came, and I had an 11-hour flight from Seattle to Korea to edit, edit, edit it.
I know about the edit edit edit! It’s a sickness. I even do that if I’m sending a text. There’s no way anyone’s getting your level of prose without it. You’re one of those guys, if I may say so, that has a kind of invisible virtuosity. I’m not as good at keeping the strings hidden. Of course, you’ve got a great subject! Doesn’t require much dancing around, i would guess.
Reading your piece, I could feel how hot that water was--
Yes. The fear for me is trying to tell a story that is just about life for all of us. Not focusing on (the crutch of) Japan...oh shit, then I have to hold deep thoughts. Gag.
I didn't get to go to a public bath on my first time around in Japan, but it is now on my wishlist. I am curious how different that experience will be in the middle o Tokyo versus in a smaller town... Thank you for making such a clear depiction of your experience! ❤️
Oh definitely go. I haven’t been in decades, mostly because houses now have their own baths but it is the daily, required use that I think has the most effect. We can’t of course wish for time to go back to when no one had baths, air conditioners, etc but something was lost when people here began to cocoon like westerners.
Yeah, I ended up not going because the apartment I rented had its own bathtub – which already was a chance for me, used to only shower. The closest resemblance I have of such a communal experience was in sports clubs like YMCA, but something tells me it is an entirely different approach.
Not what I expected to read. Heh heh
Sounds like a good thing. It wasn’t what I expected on day four. Lol.
It sounds very awkward. Hehe
Ahhh, great memories.
Great story!!!
My question is how much did you weigh after all that scrubbing?
Haaaa!! And sweating.
I used to go to a modern sento near my teacher’s apartment twice a week just to get out and relax. It was a bus ride away out in the countryside so I used to combine it with supermarket shopping. I was there after school, so about 4pm. The place was full of grandpas who’d picked up the grandsons from elementary school and got them washed before dinner. Probably grandpa’s only job of the day. It felt like a community center.
This is just as my mother described the experience after living in Japan for 3 years after WWII. She told me that to know people and be a part of the community, you needed to use the bath, carefully follow the body washing procedures, and then just clear your mind to soak in the water. Sounds perfect to me.
She was right. It’s nice when you hear of an outsider just getting it. She got it.
Loved this piece, as usual.
I’m glad. For the first time, I wrote away from my keyboard and desk...actually pecking it out on an iPad. I wouldn’t have published but it really came, and I had an 11-hour flight from Seattle to Korea to edit, edit, edit it.
I know about the edit edit edit! It’s a sickness. I even do that if I’m sending a text. There’s no way anyone’s getting your level of prose without it. You’re one of those guys, if I may say so, that has a kind of invisible virtuosity. I’m not as good at keeping the strings hidden. Of course, you’ve got a great subject! Doesn’t require much dancing around, i would guess.
Reading your piece, I could feel how hot that water was--
Naked dancing around! lol.
Yes. The fear for me is trying to tell a story that is just about life for all of us. Not focusing on (the crutch of) Japan...oh shit, then I have to hold deep thoughts. Gag.
See, that’s your problem, you have scruples and integrity and whatnot.
I would’ve liked to see that..grandpas doing stuff!
I didn't get to go to a public bath on my first time around in Japan, but it is now on my wishlist. I am curious how different that experience will be in the middle o Tokyo versus in a smaller town... Thank you for making such a clear depiction of your experience! ❤️
Oh definitely go. I haven’t been in decades, mostly because houses now have their own baths but it is the daily, required use that I think has the most effect. We can’t of course wish for time to go back to when no one had baths, air conditioners, etc but something was lost when people here began to cocoon like westerners.
Yeah, I ended up not going because the apartment I rented had its own bathtub – which already was a chance for me, used to only shower. The closest resemblance I have of such a communal experience was in sports clubs like YMCA, but something tells me it is an entirely different approach.