ofuro japanese bath, n.Definitions

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is intended to allow the bather to indulge in the abundance of water.

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is almost always built with a window to the outside set right above the tub, making the bath part of the changing seasons. In spring, one enjoys gazing at the fragile white petals of plum and watching the cherry blossoms fall; in summer, the rich green wisteria leaves threaten to climb through the window into the bathroom; in autumn, while taking a bath, one can watch how the brilliantly colored Japanese maples darken in color day by day; and, in winter, the perfect complement to a hot steamy bath is the cold wind that brushes through the bare silvery branches covered with crisp white snow.

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is about as good a duplication of the original intra-uterine situation as can be arranged after the milestone of birth has actually been passed.

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is about much more than cleanliness, though cleanliness is certainly important. It is about family and community-the washing of each other's backs before bathing. It is also about being alone and contemplative, time to watch the moon rise above the garden.

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is an institution, a relaxing, pleasurable activity, rather than merely being a means to become clean.

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is called 'furo', a word originating from a similar word, muro, which referred to a natural steam cave where people went to cleanse themselves by sweating, and after being steamed, a bather would go outside and scrape off the dirt, dead skin, and scum, using an item such as a bamboo leaf. A cold rinse would finish this whole process.

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is a place where one goes there to cleanse the soul. It stands in contrast to the West, where it is a place one goes to cleanse the body,

The Ofuro | Japanese Bath is a kind of zen meditation; it cleanses the soul, and one emerges refreshed, renewed, and serene.