Traditional Japanese Bath Accessories

Summary: The traditional Japanese bath accessories are not too many yet you can have a very satisfying and relaxing bath.

Japan is known for its rich culture and traditional bath. Furo is the Japanese word for bath. The Japanese used wooden furo as their hot tub and it is so much deeper compared to the modern bath tub. The tub should be filled with hot water, wherein you can sit submerged up to the neck inside the tub for your total relaxation.

At present, wooden furos have been replaced by acrylic and fiberglass imitations; however there is a recovery of interest in traditional wooden design. There are some manufacturers of bath tubs which produce traditional Japanese bath accessories and these are the furo, and the steps. Since the furo is taller compared to the common bath tub, it should be needing steps. Typically, the tub and the step are made from wooden materials.

The Port Orford Cedar, known as Hinoki in Japan, and Alaskan Yellow Cedar (AYC) are the two woods which the SeaOtter Woodworks are using in manufacturing these Japanese traditional bath tubs. You can visit them at their website www.woodentubs.com. The Alaskan Yellow Cedar is actually a cypress and has a fine-looking strain grained yellow/blonde color. It is a very durable wood perfect to making tubs and is widely used in Japan, and it has a great citrus smell. There is plenty of this kind of wood that is why it is less expensive compared to the Port Orford Cedar (POC). The POC, on the other hand, has similar color qualities yet slightly harder than AYC, and has a very strong citrus lemon smell. It has a limited supply, therefore, very expensive. This is also usually used in Japan and is commonly known as Hinoki.

Traditional Japanese bath accessories are not that many. A traditional Japanese bath has a separate shower or wash place. It is open in design with a waterproof floor and a central drain. The furo is adjoining and usually placed to enjoy a beautiful view. Sometimes it is placed in a garden or in a certain place wherein you can enjoy a panoramic view. This is to make the traditional Japanese bath a total relaxation for you.

It is a must that the furo is set up on a waterproof floor with a drain as to allow the overflowed water to drain away. the traditional Japanese bath accessories in the washing room wooden stool and a bucket. The traditional Japanese style of bathing starts with a gentle and thorough washing using plenty of soap and shampoo, and hot water outside the tub. After the washing is done, you can slip into the steaming hot water for a completely luxurious relaxing soak.

Traditional Japanese bath accessories are only few yet you can really tell that the experience is so fulfilling that you wouldn’t care if you don’t have the many bath accessories we have nowadays. Traditional Japanese bath accessories only include the wooden furo, wooden steps, wooden bucket, and wooden stool, probably a soap dish since they use soap, and a shampoo decanter or dispenser. the SeaOtter also make a matching shower curtain and other accessories if you want to feel the traditional Japanese bath.