The Japanese have made an art out of bathing. Ingrained in their history and culture, bathing rituals are for relaxation and rejuvenation. Bath time is viewed as a practice to wash away the worries, disappointments, and cares of the day, followed by a good night's sleep and awakening refreshed in the morning. Many Japanese also claim that taking a long soak will drive away bad luck and lead to good fortune.
To create your own tranquil Japanese-inspired bathing ritual, try the following:
Shower to Clean: The bathing culture of Japan includes showering first. Gently scrub your skin with a soap made from charcoal, or binchotan, an ancient ingredient used to remove impurities of the skin. The goal once in the hot bath is to relax, even meditate, not to clean.
Heat It Up: Make your bath water as hot as you can stand, but safe for your personal health. The Japanese emulate the mineral-rich hot springs, or onsens, on their islands in this regard.
Add Minerals: Another aspect of the Japanese hot springs is minerals. There are several options of Onsen Bath Salts available; particularly popular are forest scented mineral salts, which may help with circulation and a stiff neck. Try ones that combine Himalayan Salt with Japanese Cypress Tree scent. Others to try are the muddy white salts that turn the bathwater milky white.
To bring even more of the Japanese culture to your bathing experience, add one or all of these:
Wrap yourself in a Yukata, a simple belted cotton robe.
Slip on your Geta, or wooden platform slippers.
Splash yourself with a Japanese Hinoki Bath Bucket.
Place a Japanese bath stool, made from hinoki, or Japanese cypress, next to your bathtub and use as a step stool, an impromptu seat, or a side table to place a glass of water.
Lean back and listen to the tranquil trickles of a small water fountain.
Place a bamboo plant in front of you to draw your gaze.
Creating a ritual for slowing down, and soaking the day's cares away, may be exactly what you need.
To get started, contact us for information on our clawfoot, pedestal, and freestanding bathtubs. We'll help you find just the right one for your own bathing ritual.