Thermalism

Japan

Contents
1

Onsen

1.1

Mixed bathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2

Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.1

Ensuring cleanliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.2

Swimsuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.3

Towels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.4

Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.5

Tattoos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3

Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.4

Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.5

Selected onsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.6

See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.7

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.8

Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.9

External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sent

2.1

Layout and architectural features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.1

Entrance area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.2

Changing room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.3

Bathing area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.4

Boiler room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.5

Sauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.2.1

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.2.2

Entrance and undressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.2.3

Bathing area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

Social and cultural aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.3.1

Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.3.2

Tattoos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.4

Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.5

Pricing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

2.6

History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

2.2

2.3

ii

CONTENTS
2.6.1

Nara period to Kamakura period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

2.6.2

Kamakura period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

2.6.3

Edo period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

2.6.4

Meiji period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

2.6.5

Rebuilding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

2.6.6

Golden era . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

2.6.7

Decline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

2.6.8

Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

2.7

See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

2.8

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

2.9

Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

2.10 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

Ashiyu

14

3.1

Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

3.2

See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

3.3

External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

Furo

15

4.1

See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

4.2

External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

Ganban'yoku

17

5.1

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

5.2

External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

Sansuke

18

6.1

Origin of the word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

6.2

Sansuke in premodern times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

6.3

Nagashi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

6.4

Kodakara no yu and Sansuke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

6.5

Sansuke during early-modern times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19

6.6

Sansuke of today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19

6.7

Reference books

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19

6.8

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19

6.9

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20

6.9.1

Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20

6.9.2

Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20

6.9.3

Content license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22

Chapter 1

Onsen

Outdoor pool, Naruko, Miyagi

An onsen () is a term for hot springs in the Japanese

language, though the term is often used to describe the
bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a
volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen
scattered along its length and breadth. Onsen were traditionally used as public bathing places and today play a
central role in directing Japanese domestic tourism.

Guidebook to Hakone from 1811

talk of the virtues ofnaked communion(

hadaka no tsukiai)* [1] for breaking down barriers and
getting to know people in the relaxed homey atmosphere
Onsen come in many types and shapes, including outdoor of a ryokan with an attached onsen. Japanese television
( or roten-buro or noten-buro) and channels often feature special programs about local onindoor baths. Baths may be either public run by a mu- sens.
nicipality or private ( uchiyu) often run as part of a The presence of an onsen is often indicated on signs and
maps by the symbol or the kanji, (yu, meaninghot
hotel, ryokan or bed and breakfast ( minshuku).
Onsen are a central feature of Japanese tourism often water). Sometimes the simpler hiragana character
found out in the countryside but there are a number of (yu) is used, to be understandable to younger children.
Traditionally, onsen were located outdoors, although a
large number of inns have now built indoor bathing facilities as well. Onsen by denition use naturally hot water
from geothermally heated springs. Onsen should be dif-

popular establishments still found within major cities.

They are a major tourist attraction drawing Japanese couples, families or company groups who want to get away
from the hectic life of the city to relax. Japanese often
1

CHAPTER 1. ONSEN

1.1 Mixed bathing

Traditionally, men and women bathed together at the onsen and sent but gender separation has been enforced
since the opening of Japan to the West during the Meiji
Restoration. Mixed bathing ( konyoku) persists at
some special onsen in rural areas of Japan,* [2] which usually also provide the option of separate women-only
baths or dierent hours for the two sexes. Men usually cover their genitals with a small towel while bathing,
while women usually wrap their bodies in full size towels.
Children of either sex may be seen in both the men's and
the women's baths. In some prefectures of Japan, includRoten-buro outdoor onsen at Nakanoshima in Nachikatsuura, ing Tokyo, where nude mixed bathing is banned, people are obligated to wear swimsuits or yugi ( yugi),
Wakayama
which are specialized clothing for baths.

1.2 Etiquette

Indoor onsen at fuka Onsen

ferentiated from sent, indoor public bath houses where

the baths are lled with heated tap water. The legal denition of an onsen includes that its water must contain at
least one of 19 designated chemical elements, including
radon and metabolic acid and be 25 C or warmer before
being reheated. Stratications exist for waters of dierent temperatures. Major onsen resort hotels often feature
a wide variety of themed spa baths and articial waterfalls
in the bathing area utaseyu ().
Onsen water is believed to have healing powers derived
from its mineral content. A particular onsen may feature
several dierent baths, each with water with a dierent
mineral composition. The outdoor bath tubs are most
often made from Japanese cypress, marble or granite,
while indoor tubs may be made with tile, acrylic glass or
stainless steel. Dierent onsen also boast about their different waters or mineral compositions, plus what healing
properties these may contain. Other services like massages may be oered.

Baskets

1.2.1 Ensuring cleanliness

At an onsen, as at a sent, all guests are expected to wash

their bodies and rinse themselves thoroughly before entering the hot water. Bathing stations are equipped with
stools, faucets, wooden buckets, and toiletries such as
soap and shampoo; nearly all onsen also provide removable shower heads for bathing convenience. Entering the
People often travel to onsen with work colleagues, onsen while still dirty or with traces of soap on the body
friends, couples or their families.
is socially unacceptable.* [3]

1.3. THERAPY

1.2.2

Swimsuits

Bathers are not normally allowed to wear swimsuits in

the baths. However, some modern onsen with more of
a waterpark atmosphere require their guests to wear a
swimming suit in their mixed baths.

1.3 Therapy
The volcanic nature of Japan provides plenty of springs.
When the onsen's water contains distinctive minerals or
chemicals, the onsen establishments display what type of
onsen it is.
Some examples of types of onsen include:

1.2.3

Towels

Onsen guests generally bring a small towel with them to

use as a wash cloth. The towel can also provide a modicum of modesty when walking between the washing area
and the baths. Some onsen allow one to wear the towel
into the baths, while others have posted signs prohibiting
this, saying that it makes it harder to clean the bath. It
is sometimes against the rules to immerse or dip towels
in the onsen bath water, since this can be considered unclean. In this latter case, people normally set their towels
o to the side of the water when enjoying the baths, or
place their folded towels on top of their heads.

Sulphur onsen ( i-sen)

Sodium chloride onsen ( natoriumusen)
Hydrogen carbonate onsen ( tansan-sen)
Iron onsen ( tetsu-sen)
In Japan, it is said onsen have various medical eects.* [7]
Japanese people believe that a good soak in proper onsen
heals aches, pains and diseases, and visit onsen to treat
the illnesses, such as arthralgia, chronic skin diseases, diabetes, constipation, menstrual disorders and so on.* [7]

These medical benets have given onsen a central role in

balneotherapy which is called Onsen Therapy(
Onsen vary from quiet to noisy, some play piped music onsen-ryh). Onsen Therapy is a comprehensive
and often feature gushing fountains. Bathers will engage bathing treatment conducted to maintain health, normal*
in conversation in this relaxed situation. There are usually ize dysfunctions and prevent illness. [7]
prohibitions against rowdiness in the washing and bathing
areas. A small amount of excess energy and splashing
1.4 Risks
around is usually tolerated from children, however.

1.2.4

Noise

Although millions of Japanese bathe in onsen every year

with few noticeable side eects, there are still contraindications to onsen usage, such as high blood pressure or
heart disease.* [8]
In recent years, Legionella bacteria have been found sporadically in onsen with poor sanitation.* [9]* [10] Revelations of poor sanitary practices at some onsen have led to
improved regulation by hot spring communities to maintain their reputation.* [11]
There have been reports of infectious disease found in hot
bodies of water worldwide, such as:

Shower cubicles

1.2.5

Tattoos

Many onsen ban bathers with tattoos, which in Japan, as

in the West prior to the radical changes that have taken
place in society, are perceived as a badge of criminalityYakuza traditionally have elaborate tattoos. Despite
this background reason, the rule is often enforced strictly
against all, including foreigners, women, and even when
tattoos are small and peaceful.* [4]* [5]* [6]

Various Naegleria species.* [12] While studies have

found the presence of Naegleria in hot spring waters, the worrisome Naegleria fowleri amoeba has
not been identied.* [12] Nevertheless, less than 5
cases have been seen historically in Japan, although
not conclusively linked to onsen exposure.* [13]
Many onsen have posted notices for visitors, reminding
anyone with open cuts, sores, or lesions to not bathe. Additionally, in recent years onsen are increasingly adding
chlorine to their waters to prevent infection, although
many onsen purists seek natural, unchlorinated onsen
that instead does not recycle its water, cleaning baths

CHAPTER 1. ONSEN

daily.* [11] These precautions as well as proper onsen usage (i.e. not placing the head underwater, washing thoroughly before entering the bath) greatly reduces any overall risk to bathers.

1.5 Selected onsen

Winter bathing at Tsuru-no-yu roten-buro in Nyt, Akita

Kurokawa Onsen roten-buro in Kyushu

Kinosaki Hot Spring, Hygo, postcard circa 1910

Japanese Macaques enjoying a roten-buro open-air onsen at

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Arima Onsen, Kobe, Hygo

Asamushi Onsen, Aomori Prefecture
Old Tsuru-no-yu Bathhouse in Nyt Onsen area, Akita

Akagi, Gunma
Akayu, Yamagata

Aso, Kumamoto, a famous onsen area alongside

Mount Aso, an active volcano
Atami Onsen (ja), Atami, Shizuoka, major onsen
resort town near Tokyo

1.5. SELECTED ONSEN

5
Ginzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Yamagata
Hakone, Kanagawa, famous onsen resort town near
Tokyo
Hanamaki, Iwate
Hirayu Onsen (ja), Takayama, Gifu
Hokkawa Onsen (ja), Shizuoka
Ibusuki Onsen, Kagoshima Prefecture
Ikaho Onsen (ja), Ikaho, Gunma

Yumura-onsen's hot-spring resort and forests in Shin'onsen,

Hygo

It, Shizuoka
Iwaki Yumoto Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture
Iwamuro, Niigata, famous for onsen since the Edo
period
Jigokudani, Nagano Prefecture
Jzankei Onsen (ja), Hokkaido
Kaike Onsen (ja), Yonago, Tottori
Kakeyu Onsen (ja), Nagano
Kanzanji Onsen (ja), Shizuoka
Katayamazu Onsen (ja), Kaga, Ishikawa

Dgo Onsen hot springs (main building) in Matsuyama, Ehime

Kawayu Onsen (ja), Tanabe, Wakayama

Kindaichi Onsen, Iwate
Kinosaki, Hygo
Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi
Kurokawa Onsen, Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
Misasa Onsen (ja), Misasa, Tottori Prefecture
Nagaragawa Onsen, Gifu, Gifu
Sawatari, Gunma Prefecture

Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa, Yamagata

Awara Onsen (ja), Awara, Fukui Prefecture

Awazu Onsen (ja), Komatsu, Ishikawa
Beppu Onsen, Beppu, ita Prefecture, famous for
its multi-coloured baths
Dgo Onsen, Ehime Prefecture
Futamata, Hokkaid
Gero Onsen (ja), Gero, Gifu, famous for its free
open bath on riverbank of Hida River
Get Onsen (ja), Iwate Prefecture

Shima, Gunma Prefecture

Nanki-Katsuura
Wakayama

Onsen

(ja),

Nachikatsuura,

Nanki-Shirahama Onsen, Shirahama, Wakayama

Prefecture
Naruko, Miyagi
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Nuruyu Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture
Nyt Onsen (ja), Akita Prefecture
Onneyu Onsen (ja), Hokkaido

CHAPTER 1. ONSEN
fuka Onsen, Akita
Ryujin Onsen (ja), Tanabe, Wakayama, one of
Japan's famous three beautifying onsen
Sabakoyu Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture, the oldest
community onsen in Japan
Sakunami Onsen, Miyagi
Senami Onsen (ja), Niigata Prefecture

1.6 See also

Ashiyu
Balneotherapy
Furo
Public bathing

Shimabara, Nagasaki

Sauna

Shimobe Onsen (ja), Yamanashi Prefecture

Sent

Shiobara Onsen (ja), Tochigi Prefecture

Taiwanese hot springs

Shuzenji Onsen (ja), Shizuoka Prefecture

Three Ancient Springs

Sunkyo Onsen (ja), Hokkaido

Sukayu Onsen, Aomori Prefecture
Sumataky Onsen (ja), Shizuoka Prefecture
Suwa, Nagano Prefecture
Takanoyu Onsen, Akita Prefecture
Takaragawa, Gunma, one of the largest outdoor
mixed baths in Japan
Takarazuka, Hygo
Tara, Saga
Tyako, Hokkaid
Tsubame Onsen (ja), Niigata - famous for its free
open mixed onsen
Tsukioka Onsen, Niigata (ja), Niigata Prefecture
Tsurumaki Onsen (ja), Kanagawa
Unazuki Onsen (ja), Kurobe, Toyama Prefecture
Wakura Onsen, Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture
Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa
Yamashiro Onsen (ja), Kaga, Ishikawa

Turkish bath

1.7 References
[1] This term should be carefully dierentiated from the word
skinship ( sukinshippu) which refers to the
benets of physical contact, for instance, on babies by their
mothers.
[2] Japan's Konyoku (mixed gender) Onsen Best 100.
Konyoku.org. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
[3] In very isolated onsen, where there is no possibility to use
soap before entering in the bath, onsen users are expected
to at least rinse their body with the water of the bath before
entering it.
[4] Covering the oending tattoo with sticking plaster can
sometimes solve the problem.Onsen Warnings and Hassles
[5] Tattoo in Japan (2009-12-22).Tattoo in Japan. Boing
Boing. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
[6] Sunnypages - Tokyo reviews by English speakers. Sunnypages.jp. Retrieved 2010-12-07.

Yubara Onsen (ja), Okayama Prefecture, one of the

largest mixed baths at the foot of Yubara dam

[7] Getting into hot water for health. The Japan Times. May
25, 2003.

Yudanaka Onsen (ja), Nagano Prefecture

[8] Hot Spring Treatment Hot Spring Encyclopedia

ONSEN BEPPU CITY ". City.beppu.oita.jp. Retrieved 2010-12-07.

Yufuin, ita Prefecture

Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture
Yumura Onsen (ja), (Shin'onsen, Hygo)
Yunogo Onsen, Okayama Prefecture
Yunokawa Onsen, Hokkaido
Yunomine Onsen (ja), Tanabe, Wakayama, site of
the UNESCO World Heritage Tsuboyu bath
Yuzawa, Niigata
Za Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture

[9] H. Miyamoto; S. Jitsurong; R. Shiota; K. Maruta; S.

Yoshida; E. Yabuuchi (1997). Molecular determination of infection source of a sporadic Legionella pneumonia case associated with a hot spring bath. Microbiol Immunol. 41 (3): 197202. doi:10.1111/j.13480421.1997.tb01190.x. PMID 9130230.
[10] Eiko Yabuuchi; Kunio Agata, Kansenshogaku zasshi
(Kansenshogaku zasshi) (2004). An outbreak of legionellosis in a new facility of hot spring Bath in Hiuga
City. Kansenshogaku zasshi 78 (2): 9098. ISSN 03875911. PMID 15103899.

1.9. EXTERNAL LINKS

[11] Onsen: know what you're getting into. The Japan

Times.
[12] Shinji Izumiyama; Kenji Yagita; Reiko FurushimaShimogawara; Tokiko Asakura; Tatsuya Karasudani;
Takuro End (July 2003). Occurrence and Distribution of Naegleria Species in Thermal Waters in Japan
. The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 50 (s1): 514
5. doi:10.1111/j.1550-7408.2003.tb00614.x. PMID
14736147.
[13] Yasuo Sugita; Teruhiko Fujii, Itsurou Hayashi, Takachika
Aoki, Toshir Yokoyama, Minoru Morimatsu, Toshihide
Fukuma & Yoshiaki Takamiya (May 1999). Primary
amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri: An
autopsy case in Japan. Pathology International 49 (5):
46870. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1827.1999.00893.x. PMID
10417693.

1.8 Further reading

Hotta, Anne, and Yoko Ishiguro. A Guide to
Japanese Hot Springs. New York: Kodansha America, 1986. ISBN 0-87011-720-3.
Fujinami, Kichi. Hot Springs in Japan. Tokyo:
Board of Tourist Industry, Japanese Government
Railways; Maruzen Company, Ltd., 1936.
Ne, Robert. Japan's Hidden Hot Springs. Rutland,
Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle, 1995. ISBN 0-80481949-1.
Seki, Akihiko, and Elizabeth Heilman Brooke. The
Japanese Spa: A Guide to Japan's Finest Ryokan and
Onsen. Boston: Tuttle Publishing, 2005. ISBN 08048-3671-X. Reprinted as Ryokan: Japan's Finest
Spas and Inns, 2007. ISBN 0-8048-3839-9.

1.9 External links

Sento Guide Guide to public baths in Japan
OnsenJapan.net Interactive Google map with easyto-read icons, pictures, and reviews
Secret Onsen a database with more than 125 onsen
all around Japan
Onsen of Fukuoka Prefecture from ocial page of
Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association
Guide around Yudanaka Onsen, Shibu Onsen and
Jigokudani Monkey park onsen
Japan Onsen A mountain onsen guide for the Shinetsu region of the Japan Alps
Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau Indepth information on onsen in Wakayama Prefecture

Chapter 2

Sent
2.1 Layout and architectural features

Entrance to the sent at the Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum

Sent () is a type of Japanese communal bath house

where customers pay for entrance. Traditionally these
bath houses have been quite utilitarian, with a tall barrier separating the sexes within one large room, a minimum of lined up faucets on both sides and a single large
bath for the already washed bathers to sit in among others.
Since the second half of the 20th century, these communal bath houses have been decreasing in numbers as more
and more Japanese residences now have baths. Some
Japanese nd social importance in going to public baths,
out of the theory that physical proximity/intimacy brings
emotional intimacy, which is termed skinship in pseudoEnglish Japanese. Others go to a sent because they live
in a small housing facility without a private bath or to enjoy bathing in a spacious room and to relax in saunas or
jet baths that often accompany new or renovated sents.

General Layout of a Sent

2.1.1 Entrance area

There are many dierent looks for a Japanese sent, or
public bath. Most traditional sent, however, are very
similar to the layout shown on the right. The entrance
from the outside looks somewhat similar to a temple, with
a Japanese curtain (, noren) across the entrance. The
curtain is usually blue and shows the kanji (yu, lit. hot
water) or the corresponding hiragana . After the entrance there is an area with shoe lockers, followed by two
long curtains or door, one on each side. These lead to
the datsuijo (, changing room), also known as datsuiba for the men and women respectively. The men's and
the women's side are very similar and dier only slightly.

Another type of Japanese public bath is onsen, which uses

hot water from a natural hot spring. In general the word
onsen means that the bathing facility has at least one bath
lled with natural hot spring water. However throughout the Kansai region of Japan the word onsenis also
a commonly used naming scheme for sent. Sent and
supersent in Kansai that do have access to a hot spring
well often dierentiate themselves by having natural
hot spring() somewhere on their signage.
8

2.1. LAYOUT AND ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

2.1.2

Changing room

2.1.3 Bathing area

The bathing area is separated from the changing area by
a sliding door to keep the heat in the bath. An exception
are baths in the Okinawa region, as the weather there is
usually already hot, and there is no need to keep the hot air
in the bath. Sent in Okinawa usually have no separation
between the changing room and the bathing area or only
a small wall with an opening to pass through.
The bathing area is usually tiled. Near the entrance area
is a supply of small stools and buckets. There are a number of washing stations at the wall and sometimes in the
middle of the room, each with usually two faucets (karan,
, after the Dutch word kraan for faucet), one for
hot water and one for cold water, and a shower head.

Bandai in the Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum

A public bathing facility in Japan typically has one of two

kinds of entrances. One is the front desk variety, where
a person in charge sits at a front desk, abbreviated as
front.The other entrance variety is the bandai style. In
Tokyo, 660 sent facilities have afront"-type entrance,
while only 315 still have the more traditional bandai-style
entrance.* [1]

At the end of the room are the bathtubs, usually at

least two or three with dierent water temperatures, and
maybe a 'denki buro' (, electric bath). In the
Osaka and Kansai area the bathtubs are more often found
in the center of the room, whereas in Tokyo they are usually at the end of the room. The separating wall between
the men and the women side is also about 2 m high. The
ceiling may be 4 m high, with large windows in the top.
On rare occasions the separating wall also has a small
hole. This was used to pass soap. At the wall on the
far end of the room is usually a large ceramic tile mural
or painting* [2] for decoration. Most often this is Mount
Fuji as seen in the picture to the right, but it may be a general Japanese landscape, a (faux) European landscape, a
river or ocean scene. On rarer occasions it may also show
a group of warriors or a female nude on the male side.
Playing children or a female beauty often decorate the
women's side.

Inside, between the entrances is the bandai ( ),

where the attendant sits. The bandai is a rectangular or
horseshoe-shaped platform with a railing, usually around
1.5 to 1.8 m high. Above the bandai is usually a large
clock. Immediately in front of the bandai is usually a utility door, to be used by the attendants only. The dressing
room is approximately 10 m by 10 m, sometimes partly
covered with tatami sheets and contains the lockers for
the clothes. Often, there is a large shelf storing equip- 2.1.4
ment for regular customers.
The ceiling is very high, at 3 to 4 m. The separating wall
between the men's and the women's side is about 2 m
high. The dressing room also often has access to a very
small Japanese garden with a pond, and a Japanese-style
toilet. There are a number of tables and chairs, including some coin-operated massage chairs. Usually there is
also a scale to measure weight, and sometimes height. In
some very old sent, this scale may use the traditional
Japanese measure monme (, 1 monme = 3.75 g) and
kan (1 kan = 1000 monme = 3.75 kg). Similarly, in old
sent the height scale may go only to 180 cm. Local business often advertises in the sent. The women's side usually has some baby beds, and may have more mirrors. The
decoration and the advertising is often gender-specic on
the dierent sides. There is usually a refreshment cooler
here where customers can self-serve and pay the attendant. Milk drinks are traditional favorites and sometimes
there is ice cream.

Boiler room

Behind the bathing area is the boiler room (, kamaba), where the water is heated. This may use oil or electricity, or any other type of fuel such as wood chippings.
The tall chimneys of the boilers are often used to locate
the sent from far away. After the war Tokyo often had
power outages when all bath house owners turned on the
electric water heating at the same time.

2.1.5 Sauna
Many modern sent have a sauna with a bathtub of cold
water just outside it for cooling o afterwards. It should
be noted that you are expected to pay an extra fee to use
the sauna, and you will often receive a simple wristband
to signify your payment of the extra fee.

10

CHAPTER 2. SENT

2.2 Etiquette
This section describes the basic procedure to use a sent.
The public bath is an area where the uninitiated can seriously oend or inconvenience the regulars.

2.2.1

Equipment

Taking a bath at a public sent requires at a bare minimum a small towel and some soap/shampoo. Attendants usually sell these items for 100-200 yen. Many
people bring two towels; a handtowel for drying and a
handtowel or washcloth for washing. A nylon scrubbing
cloth or scrub brush with liquid soap is normally used
for washing. Other body hygiene products may include
a pumice stone, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving equipment, combs, shower caps, pomade, make up products,
powder, creams, etc. Some regular customers store their
bucket of bathing equipment on open shelves in the dressing room.

2.2.2

Entrance and undressing

In Japan it is customary to remove one's shoes when entering a private home. Similarly shoes are removed before entering the bathing area in a sent. They are kept
in a shoe locker. The locker is usually available free of
charge. Afterwards bathers go through one of the two
doors depending on their gender. The men's door usually
has a bluish color and the kanji for man (, otoko), and
the women's door usually has a reddish color and the kanji
for woman (, onna). The fee is set at 450 yen for all
sent in Tokyo.* [3] The attendant usually provides at extra cost a variety of bath products including towel, soap,
shampoo, razor, and comb. Ice cream or juice from the
freezer can also be paid for here. There are usually free
lockers with keys (that may be worn on the wrist into the
baths) or large baskets provided to put personal eects.

1901 image of Sent .

others. In particular; not washing before bathing, introducing soap into the bath water and horseplay. Sent
commonly display a poster describing bathing etiquette
and procedures in Japanese or occasionally in other languages for international customers.
Some ports in Hokkaid, frequently used by the Russian
shing eet had problems with drunken Russian sailors
misbehaving in the bath. Subsequently, a few bath houses
chose not to allow foreign customers at all.

2.3.2 Tattoos
Some public baths have signs refusing entry for people
with tattoos. However, one may be allowed in if the
tattoos are not too obvious. If one ventures to a public bathing place that is publicly owned, this should not
present a problem as they have a duty to let all taxpaying citizens in. The original reason behind the ban
was to keep out the yakuza (ocially called the violence groupsby the police).* [4]

2.4 Sanitation

Japanese public baths have suered infrequent outbreaks

of dangerous Legionella bacteria. In order to prevent such
problems, the sent union adds chlorine to its baths. At
At onsen, or hot springs, the water contains minerals, and the cost of higher levels of chlorine, bacteria outbreaks
many people do not rinse o the water from the skin, to are practically non-existent at sent facilities of today.
increase exposure to the minerals. In a regular sent, people usually rinse o at the faucets.

2.2.3

Bathing area

2.5 Pricing
2.3 Social and cultural aspects

Rules and pricing are regulated per prefecture based on

local committees. Basic entrance fee for adults at a sent
in Tokyo is 450. Citing rise in oil prices as rationale,
2.3.1 Etiquette
price has been raised from 400 (20002006), to 430
*
*
As mentioned above, the Japanese public bath is one area (20062008), and again to 450 (2008present). [5] [6]
where the uninitiated can upset regular customers by not In Tokyo, the price for children to enter have remained
following correct bathing etiquette designed to respect unchanged: 6 to 11 year olds can enter at 180 each,

2.6. HISTORY

11

2.6.2 Kamakura period

Interior of a modern Sent

The rst mentioning of a commercial bath house is in

1266 in the Nichiren Goshoroku (). These
mixed-sex bath houses were only vaguely similar to modern bath houses. After entering the bath, there was a
changing room called datsuijo (). There the customer also received his/her ration of hot water, since there
were no faucets in the actual bath. The entrance to the
steam bath was only a very small opening with a height of
about 80 cm, so that the heat did not escape. Due to the
small opening, the lack of windows, and the thick steam,
these baths were usually very dark, and customers often
cleared their throats to signal their position to others.

while younger children can enter at 80 each. Children 2.6.3

10 years or younger are permitted to enter the baths of
either gender. In other prefectures, the cut o age can be
as high as 12 in Hokkaid or as low as 6 in Hygo.

Edo period

Most sent in Tokyo also oer a premium service for

which each facility sets its own price, usually around
1,000. This option is usually called a sauna, since at
least sauna is included. At Civic Land Nissei, for example, the sauna option includes access to more than half of
all the facilities available.* [7]
Larger scale public bathing facility types are called super
sent and kenk land, both more expensive than sent,
while super sent oer a more compromised price.
At 300 per adult, the cheapest prefectures to sent
baths are in Yamagata, Tokushima, Nagasaki, ita, and
Miyazaki.
Onna yu
( Bathhouse Women) by Torii Kiyonaga (17521815)

At the beginning of the Edo period (16031867), there

were two types of baths common to the eastern and
western regions of Japan respectively. In Edo (present
The origins of the Japanese sent and the Japanese day Tokyo), bath houses contained sizable pools, and
bathing culture in general can be traced to the Buddhist were called yuya (, lit. hot water shop). In Osaka,
temples in India, from where it spread to China, and - however, bathing establishments were primarily steam
baths called mushiburo (, lit. steam bath) that
nally to Japan during the Nara period (710784). * [8]
had only shallow pools.

2.6 History

2.6.1

Nara period to Kamakura period

The Nara period to Kamakura period is dened asreligious bathing. Initially, due to its religious background,
baths in Japan were usually found in a temple. These
baths were called yya (, lit. hot water shop), or
later when they increased in size yuya (, lit. big
hot water shop). These baths were most often steam baths
(, mushiburo, lit. steam bath). While initially
these baths were only used by priests, sick people gradually also gained access, until in the Kamakura period
(11851333) sick people were routinely allowed access to
the bath house. Wealthy merchants and members of the
upper class soon also included baths in their residences.

At the end of the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate

(16031868) at dierent times required baths to segregate by sex in order to ensure public moral standards.
However, many bath house owners merely partitioned
their baths with a small board, allowing some voyeurism
to persist. Other baths avoided this problem by having
men and women bathe at dierent times of day, or by
catering to one gender exclusively. In spite of this, laws
regarding mixed-sex bathing were soon relaxed again.
Contributing to the popularity of public baths in the Edo
period were female bathing attendants known as yuna
(, lit. hot water women). These attendants helped
cleanse customers by scrubbing their backs. After ocial
closing hours, however, a number of these women would
perform additional services by selling sex to male cus-

12

CHAPTER 2. SENT

tomers. Similarly, some brothels in contemporary Japan 2.6.5 Rebuilding

have women who specialize in bathing with and cleansing
male clientele. Such establishments are often called spu At the beginning of the Taish period (19121926), tiles
gradually replaced wooden oors and walls in new bath
rando (, soapland).
As a preventive measure against prostitution, the Toku- houses. On September 1, 1923 the great Kant earthgawa shogunate stipulated that no more than three yuna quake devastated Tokyo. The earthquake and the subseserve at any given bath house. However, this rule was quent re destroyed most baths in the Tokyo area. This
widely ignored, causing the shogunate to ban female at- accelerated the change from wooden baths to tiled baths,
as almost all new bath houses were now built in the new
tendants from bath houses altogether and once again prohibit the practice of mixed-sex bathing. Large numbers style using tiled bathing areas. At the end of the Taish
period, faucets also became more common, and this type
of unemployed yuna thereafter moved to ocial red-light
districts, where they could continue their services. Up of faucet can still be seen today. These faucets were called
karan (, after the Dutch word kraan for faucet).
until 1870, there were also male washing assistants called
sansuke (, lit. three helps) who would wash and mas- There were two faucets, one for hot water and one for cold
water, and the customer mixed the water in his bucket acsage customers of both genders. Unlike the yuna, these
male attendants were not known to engage in prostitution. cording to his personal taste.
Mixed-sex bathing was prohibited once again after
Commodore Perry visited Japan in 1853 and 1854 2.6.6
drawing question to the morality of the practice.

2.6.4

Golden era

Meiji period

Entrance of a typical sent in Tokyo

Bathing in an Agricultural School in Japan around 1920

During World War II (for Japan 19411945), many

Japanese cities were damaged. Subsequently, most bath
houses were destroyed along with the cities. The lack of
baths caused the reappearance of communal bathing, and
temporary baths were constructed with the available material, often lacking a roof. Furthermore, as most houses
were damaged or destroyed, few people had access to a
private bath, resulting in a great increase in customers for
the bath houses. New buildings in the post war period
also often lacked baths or showers, leading to a strong increase in the number of public baths. In 1965 many baths
also added showerheads to the faucets in the baths. The
number of public baths in Japan peaked around 1970.

During the Meiji period (18671912) the design of

Japanese baths changed considerably. The narrow entrance to the bathing area was widened considerably to
a regular-sized sliding door, the bathtubs were sunk partially in the oor so that they could be entered more easily,
and the height of the ceiling of the bath house was then
doubled. Since the bath now focused on hot water instead of steam, windows could be added, and the bathing 2.6.7 Decline
area became much brighter. The only dierence between
these baths and the modern bath was the use of wood for Immediately after World War II, resources were scarce
the bathing area and the lack of faucets.
and few homeowners had access to a private bath. Private
Furthermore, another law for segregated bathing was baths began to be more common around 1970, and most
passed in 1890, allowing only children below the age of new buildings included a bath and shower unit for every
apartment. Easy access to private baths led to a decline
8 to join a parent of the opposite sex.

2.9. FURTHER READING

in customers for public bath houses, and subsequently the
number of bath houses is decreasing. Some Japanese
young people today are embarrassed to be seen naked,
and avoid public baths for this reason. Some Japanese are
concerned that without the "skinship" of mutual nakedness, children will not be properly socialized.

2.6.8

Future

While the traditional sent is in decline, many bath house

operators have adjusted to the new taste of the public and
are oering a wide variety of experiences. Some bath
houses emphasize their tradition, and run traditionallydesigned bath houses to appeal to clientele seeking the
lost Japan. These bath houses are also often located in
scenic areas and may include an open-air bath. Some also
try drilling in order to gain access to a hot spring, turning
a regular bath house into a more prestigious onsen.
Other bath houses with less pristine buildings or settings
change into so called super sent and try to oer a wider
variety of services beyond the standard two or three bathtubs. They may include a variety of saunas, reintroduce
steam baths, include jacuzzis, and may even have a water
slide. They may also oer services beyond mere cleansing, and turn into a spa, oering medical baths, massages,
mud baths, tness centers, etc., as for example the Spa
LaQua at the Tokyo Dome City entertainment complex.
There are also entire bath house theme parks, including
restaurants, karaoke, and other entertainment, as for example the edo Onsen Monogatari (,
Big Edo Hot Spring Story) in Odaiba, Tokyo. (Note: The
edo Onsen Monogatari is not a sent.) Some of these
modern facilities may require the use of swimsuits and
are similar to a water park.

2.7 See also

Furo
Hot spring

13

[3] Tokyo Sent Union website

[4] Find out what an onsen is.Onsen Warnings and Hassles
. Japan-onsen.com. Retrieved 2014-07-31.
[5] "
- ". D.hatena.ne.jp. 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2014-07-31.
[6] 450 20
. June 3, 2008. Nikkei BP
[7] " (Civic Land Nissei)". Supersento.com. Retrieved 2014-07-31.
[8] About SentoJapanese communal bath house Tokyo
Sento Association

2.9 Further reading

Aaland, Mikkel. Sweat: The Illustrated History and
Description of the Finnish Sauna, Russian Bania,
Islamic Hammam, Japanese Mushi-Buro, Mexican
Temescal, and American Indian & Eskimo Sweat
Lodge. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Capra Press, 1978.
ISBN 0-88496-124-9. (Reprint) San Bernardino,
Calif.: Borgo Press, 1989. ISBN 0-8095-4023-1.
Brue, Alexia. Cathedrals of the Flesh: In Search
of the Perfect Bath. New York: Bloomsbury USA,
2003. ISBN 1-58234-116-8.
Clark, Scott. Japan, a View from the Bath. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1994. ISBN 08248-1657-9.
Koren, Leonard. How to Take a Japanese Bath.
Berkeley, Calif.: Stone Bridge Press, 1992. ISBN
0-9628137-9-6.
Smith, Bruce, and Yoshiko Yamamoto. The
Japanese Bath. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2001. ISBN 1-58685-027-X.
Talmadge, Eric. Getting Wet: Adventures in the
Japanese Bath. Tokyo; New York: Kodansha International, 2006. ISBN 4-7700-3020-7.

Jjimjilbang
Mikveh
Taiwanese hot springs
Sauna

2.8 References
[1] " ". 1010.or.jp. Retrieved 2014-07-31.
[2] Written by Ryoko.Sento Art: Public Bath House Paintings | PingMag : Art, Design, Life from Japan. Pingmag.jp. Retrieved 2014-07-31.

2.10 External links

Sento Guide Guide to public baths in Japan
Kyoto Baths Public bath houses in Kyoto
www.OnsenJapan.net Interactive Google map of
Japanese baths with easy-to-read icons, pictures, and
reviews
Search for Sento (Public Bath) Tokyo Travel Guide,
Sunnypages.jp
OTA Navi Ota Tourist Association

Chapter 3

Ashiyu
requirement, this is not required at a foot bath. There are
foot baths with changing rooms, but they are extremely
rare. In some places, a part of the ashiyu can be used to
soak the hands teyu(hand bath).
At Kannawa Hot Spring's Steam Foot Bathin Oita
Prefecture, and Sukayu Hot Spring'sManjufukashiin
Aomori Prefecture, the steam from the hot spring is used
to warm the body.

3.2 See also

Onsen
An ashiyu at Kagoshima Airport

3.3 External links

An ashiyu () is a Japanese public bath in which people can bathe their feet. The majority of ashiyu are free.

Media related to Ashiyu at Wikimedia Commons

An electric ashiyu foot bath sold in a department
store

3.1 Outline
The term ashiyu is a combination of the two characters
ashi meaningfoot, andyu meaninghot
water.
Many ashiyu are set up on street corners in towns with
hot springs (onsen). People can easily enjoy them without having to remove all their clothing. They can also be
found at railway stations, rest areas, and parks. While
most foot baths are free, at some places a small donation
or fee under 200 yen is required.
An ashiyu is dierent from a normal hot spring. At a hot
spring the entire body is immersed in the water, but at an
ashiyu(foot bath) only the feet and legs up to the knees
are immersed. Despite this dierence, a foot bath can still
warm the entire body because of the large veins that run
through the legs. Before using a footbath, shoes and socks
must be removed. Rolling up pants to the knees is also
a common practice. However, unlike a hot spring where
washing the body with soap before entering the bath is a
14

Chapter 4

Furo
For furo ( ), the hearth used in Japanese tea
ceremony, see List of Japanese tea ceremony equipment#Hearths.
Furo ( ), the more common and polite form:

Senmy ( ), furo of Shkoku-ji (built 1400, reconstruction

1596) in Kyoto, Japan

ofuro ( ), is a Japanese bath. Specically it is

a type of bath which originated as a short, steep-sided
A traditional private furo in a ryokan in Kyoto
wooden bathtub. Baths of this type are found all over
Japan in houses, apartments and traditional Japanese inns
(ryokans) but are now usually made out of a plastic or
for washing but rather for relaxing and warming oneself.
stainless steel.
Washing is carried out separately outside the yubune. The
A furo diers from a conventional Western bathtub by bather should enter the water only after rinsing or lightly
being of a deeper construction, typically in the region
showering. Generally Japanese bathrooms are small by
of 0.6 m (25 inches). The sides are generally square Western standards, so the bathroom is set up much like a
rather than being sloped. They generally have no over- walk-in shower area but containing the furo. Since the
ow drainage. Traditional pot shaped cast iron furo were bathroom is a complete wet-area, in modern buildings
heated by a wood-burning stove built-in below them.
and ryokan heating is provided by air conditioners overFuro (or yubune () that specically refer to the bath head. The water is hot, usually approximately 100 to 108
with water) are usually left lled with water overnight, degrees F (38 to 42 degrees Celsius).
and for some household the water reused or recycled for A modern furo may be made of acrylic, and the top of
washing clothes the next day. As in the West, it was the the range models tted with a re-circulation system which
custom for more than one member of the family to use lters and re-heats the water. This system is connected
the same bath water and therefore, for the Japanese, it with the hot water heater, either for gas/propane red or
was important to be completely clean before entering the electric/heat-pump types. Luxury models are still made
bath. This type of furo was the precursor of the modern out of traditional or expensive woods like hinoki, and can
Western-style hot tub.
be retrotted with Western-style ttings and used as sigFuro are part of the Japanese ritual of bathing, not meant nature pieces by architects and interior designers interna15

16

A modern acrylic furo in a Japanese apartment

tionally.

4.1 See also

Onsen (bathing facility at hot springs)
Sent (communal bath house)

4.2 External links

Japanese Guest Houses: Japanese Bathing Etiquette
Ofuro Etiquette
SentoGuide: A guide to public baths in Japan
Kyoto Baths: Public bath houses in Kyoto

CHAPTER 4. FURO

Chapter 5

Ganban'yoku
Ganban'yoku () is Japanese term for a popular
form of hot stone spa. It is said to have originated in
Thailand.
Body-sized stones, such as granite, are inserted into the
oor and heated. Bathers lie clothed on the stones while
their bodies gradually heat up.
Like low temperature saunas, ganban'yoku are commonly
advertised to have a detoxication eect, improve the
circulatory system and are good for the skin. A ganban'yoku room in a spa would typically be visited after
the baths and would be in a clothing-on area with mixed
genders.
Many spa facilities, including Spa LaQua at Tokyo Dome
City, have ganban'yoku rooms.

5.1 References
5.2 External links
About ganban-yoku

17

Chapter 6

Sansuke
Sansuke () are the working sta that provide many
services at the Zeniyu ( public bathhouse) in Japan.

6.3

Nagashi

The service of washing o the dirt and brushing done by

a Sansuke is Nagashi. When announced by Bandai that
there are customers who want his service, a Sansuke laves
hot water into Oke and calls the customers in. In case
there are many customers, the Sensuke must take care of
the waiting list and must wash the customers swiftly. The
Sansuke oers service for both men and women; he may
be required to work in crowds of naked woman, whereby
he must adopt the mental training to prevent himself from
having an erection in front of women. * [4] It is said that
women were not ashamed of his eyes.* [4]

6.1 Origin of the word

In Japanese Sansuke means three kinds of services, kamataki (stoking of the boiler), yukagen wo miru (checking the temperature of the bath water), and bandai(fee
collection). It was an occasional duty for the Sansuke to
provide the service of washing o dirt or brushing for customers. For this reason, the image Sansuke = the service to
the visitor in the bathhouse was generalized emphasizing When the washing service was done and received a tag
this role.
from customer, his work was accomplished. His perWhen smallpox was occurring around in Nara era, the centage of pay was based according to the number on
Kohmyo Kougou ( Empress Kohmyo ), the the tag.* [3] The Sansuke belonged to a higher economic
Shohmu Tennoh ( Emperor Shomu) 's empress, bracket in Sento and were considered to be gentlemen.
build the bathhouse and devoid to the treatment of the patients by herself. Three chamberlains helped the Empress
during that time. They called them Sansuke(), and 6.4 Kodakara no yu and Sansuke
this name became the origin of Sansuke () thereafter. * [1] During the Edo era, a Genan ( manservant), or Komono ( humble servant) was wildly described as Sansuke too.* [2]

6.2

Sansuke in premodern times

Until the early Edo era, these services were provided by a

Yuna girl, but gradually it changed to sexual services. At
that time, Okami (the government) inhibited these services.
With the prohibition of the Yuna girl, the role was replaced by a Sansuke boy. Sansuke was a supreme class
of the male servants who serve a master of the zeniyu.
To become a sansuke, there were several precursor roles:
the collector of rewood, the boiler man, and Yuban, the
checker of the bath temperature and so on. .* [3] Yuban
had the important work of checking the congestion degree of the bath or bathroom in addition to above work
and it was possible to become a Sansuke by gaining a lot
of experience.* [3]

Kodakara-yu in Edo Tokyo Tatemono en

In various parts of Japan, there existed Kodakara no Yu

(the magical spa where the infertile women are able to
conceive). Nowadays it is thought the magic was that
the Sansuke engaged in sex with a female customer and
made her pregnant. If the cause of the woman's inability
to conceive was due to the husband's infertility, then the
Sansuke would allow for a successful pregnancy to occur.

18

6.8. REFERENCES
(Not that the Sansuke or the spa had any magical powers,
the Sansuke fathered the child).
During the Edo era, people had dierent priorities. For
women, it was of paramount importance to leave the
household with a son and heir; thus, they had to become
pregnant by some way. A daughter-in-law who had not
yet produced a son would be given directions to go Kodakara no yu impliedly by mother-in-law and father.

19

6.8 References
[1] 1981 ISBN
978-4-378-02103-4
[2]
[3] 1984
175-178
[4] 1971

6.5

Sansuke during early-modern

times

[5]
71
-2009 5 31
[6] 2009 6 25

Aka-suri or massage was called a Nagashi, and it reached

heights of prosperity in the middle of the Showa era; during this time it was considered to be a luxury. But according to diusion of boiler or bath in general household, the
need for Sansuke was diminished and the service of Nagashi ebbed away. * [5]

6.6

Sansuke of today

According to Shinobu Machida (), the historian

of zeniyu, there is a only sansuke at Saitoh yu () in
Tokyo Japan. His name is Mr. Shusei Tachibana (
). He gives service for both men and women now. Of
course they do not engage in side work (that is to say, the
pre-modern fertility treatment), they give Akasuri or massage treatment only. At work, Sansuke put on Sarumata
(Japanese briefs); in former days Sansuke put Fundoshi
(breechcloth), his style was thought naughty by women.
*
[6]

6.7 Reference books

NHK
- 3
1977
1994
VS :

, --
, 2001.

1984 BOOKS No.16ISBN 4-63900311-0
1912 * [7]

[7]

20

CHAPTER 6. SANSUKE

6.9 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

6.9.1

Text

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Jpatokal, Emperorbma, Wik, SEWilco, Tlotoxl, Yas, Chris 73, JustinHall, Ashley Y, Takanoha, DocWatson42, Haeleth, Rick Block,
Revth, Nayuki, Coldacid, Andycjp, Alexf, Kusunose, Jeshii, Vbs, Fg2, Guncheol, Bendono, Kappa, Pearle, Geomr, Sjschen, Tancred,
Evil Monkey, Itsmine, Galaxiaad, Tristessa de St Ange, Armagebedar, Tokek, Rjwilmsi, Phileas, SchuminWeb, Trekkie4christ, Atitarev,
Andrew Eisenberg, Abarenbo, Gdrbot, RussBot, Bleakcomb, Koeyahoo, Gaius Cornelius, Dapal, Z. Dan, DAJF, GeoCapp, Caerwine,
Black Falcon, JSLR, Enni84, DVD R W, Neier, SmackBot, Nihonjoe, Delldot, Kintetsubualo, Psykotrol, Hmains, Simon-in-sagamihara
(usurped), Pengawsai, Bluebot, Exitmoose, Snori, CSWarren, Nbarth, Colonies Chris, Textex, Malnova, Midori, Dharmabum420, Katsuhagi, Waggers, Ryulong, Udibi, Hetar, Melander, Flamelai, Jason7825, Hawkestone, CmdrObot, Alex Shih, Ken Gallager, Cydebot,
663highland, Bobo12345, Coder.keitaro, Ikahime, Barticus88, Anupam, Douggers, Heroeswithmetaphors, Piccolissima, JAnDbot, DuncanHill, Andonic, Exairetos, Dekimasu, The Anomebot2, 1549bcp, Saganaki-, Viralxtreme14, CommonsDelinker, FourTildes, EdBever,
Gladys j cortez, Filll, BrokenSphere, Amake, Pygenot, J Readings, Fuurinkazan, Kokizzzle, Hugo999, Midnightbrewer, Zaileron, Dagari,
Sushiya, BrianAdler, BilabialBoxing, Temporaluser, Markmark28, Northfox, Esseh, AkioMtFuji, PbBot, Adventarian, Laughlikecrazy42,
Kemukemu, WurmWoode, Naishoya, OccamzRazor, Namazu-tron, Sonoe, Canis Lupus, Igorberger, John Nevard, Gassho, Owencunn,
Kuidaore, Versus22, Blogstrings, Josi.ow, XLinkBot, Wikiskiman, Ost316, Sanji japan, Addbot, Brumski, Lets Enjoy Life, Chzz, Zorrobot, Jarble, Luckas-bot, Themfromspace, Kinouya, Gongshow, Onsenjapan, Koizoomi, Citation bot, Lasfhence, Xqbot, Bluesearch,
Dougofborg, Seibun, Citation bot 1, Jonesey95, Lotje, Ykargin, STA3816, EmausBot, John of Reading, Look2See1, GoingBatty, Your
Lord and Master, Bxj, Erianna, Soica2001, ChuispastonBot, Crown Prince, Gary Dee, ClueBot NG, Shunya=0, Jyo81, Helpful Pixie Bot,
Thesoulofjapan, Emadimig, Earth Wikipedian, JeromRP, Kumanosanzan, STRONGlk7, Rt1857rt1857, Star767, Makkachin, Monkbot,
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Tlotoxl, Yas, Chris 73, RedWolf, Ashley Y, Sekicho, Xanzzibar, DocWatson42, Ds13, Henry Flower, Nayuki, Andycjp, Gdr, Icairns,
Esperant, CALR, Rich Farmbrough, FWBOarticle, Cavebear42, Zscout370, Bendono, Jpnwatch, Graben, Nesnad, Audrey, Lysdexia,
OGoncho, Sherurcij, Helixblue, Evil Monkey, Alai, Deror avi, Stemonitis, Jimbreen, GregorB, Tokek, Phileas, Darguz Parsilvan, Ninuor,
TheMidnighters, Kerowyn, Synchrite, DTOx, Gdrbot, YurikBot, Hairy Dude, NTBot, RussBot, MangoCurry, Pigman, Howcheng, Mkill,
CKarnstein, Enni84, Patiwat, SmackBot, Nihonjoe, Aiman abmajid, Ceridwen, Verne Equinox, BokuAlec, Kintetsubualo, Simon-insagamihara (usurped), Moshe Constantine Hassan Al-Silverburg, Nbarth, DHN-bot, Malnova, Midori, Pwjb, Synthe, Akendall, John, Simonalexander2005, Lucid, Mackan, Hetar, Laitr Keiows, Switchercat, CmdrObot, Ilikefood, Markhu, Wouterkloos, Heroeswithmetaphors,
Darthjarek, Lucy1981, Chris G, FisherQueen, Himatsu Bushi, Ash, FourTildes, Osakadan, Numbo3, Naniwako, Na3po4, J Readings,
KylieTastic, Secleinteer, Bricology, Kyle the bot, Mercurywoodrose, Sky Diva, Jalwikip, Andres rojas22, BotKung, Famico666, Northfox,
SieBot, DrHacky, Oda Mari, Dnssgh, Anchor Link Bot, Tesi1700, Newt, Snigbrook, Whitmorewolveyr, Ngebendi, Dekisugi, Teraldthecat,
Dthomsen8, Addbot, Dr Bjorklannd, Lightbot, Moocowsrule, Yobot, Onsenjapan, Koizoomi, Rubinbot, Blue cannonball splash, Xqbot,
Ched, GrouchoBot, Gbiddy, FrescoBot, Seibun, Tam Ponn, AstaBOTh15, December21st2012Freak, Yunshui, Sznax, Ashot Gabrielyan,
Bxj, ClueBot NG, Widr, Helpful Pixie Bot, Thesoulofjapan, Dexbot, Isarra (HG) and Anonymous: 97
Ashiyu Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashiyu?oldid=622274872 Contributors: The Anome, Robbot, Zscout370, Nesnad, DAJF,
Jason7825, Thijs!bot, Bobblehead, The Anomebot2, Hugo999, Addbot, Lightbot, Look2See1, ZroBot, Bxj, Nasu2001 and LouisAlain
Furo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furo?oldid=622740364 Contributors: Nurg, Cornellier, Exploding Boy, Kusunose, Graham87,
BD2412, Kajmal, SmackBot, Nihonjoe, Kintetsubualo, Mcaruso, LeoNomis, Ryulong, Wouterkloos, RolfSander, Mind meal, Idiomabot, TXiKiBoT, Oda Mari, Kanesue, ClueBot, Tmol42, HexaChord, Addbot, Momiji usagi, Lightbot, Estudiarme, Gbiddy, Seibun, BoundaryRider, Phoenix7777, Maneko, Bxj, Tsuchiya Hikaru, Sakura-iro no namida, Isabelle Kephart, ChrisGualtieri and Anonymous: 21
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Rincewind42, SmackBot, Nekohakase, Alaibot, Abtract, Magioladitis, The Anomebot2, Hugo999, Graham.barron, Canis Lupus, Dthomsen8, Addbot, Akimakoto, Look2See1, Bxj and Anonymous: 2
Sansuke Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansuke?oldid=619222450 Contributors: BD2412, Rjwilmsi, DAJF, Escarbot, VolkovBot,
EoGuy, Sun Creator, Dthomsen8, Addbot, Ironholds, Luckas-bot, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Fern 24, Phoenix7777, Tea with toast, Your Lord
and Master, A Japanologist, Bxj and Mark Arsten

6.9.2

Images

File:20061022132302.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/20061022132302.JPG License: CC-BY-SA2.5 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Damepo
File:Ambox_content.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Ambox_content.png License: ? Contributors:
Derived from Image:Information icon.svg Original artist:
El T (original icon); David Levy (modied design); Penubag (modied color)
File:BATH_IN_AN_AGRICULTURAL_SCHOOL.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/BATH_IN_
AN_AGRICULTURAL_SCHOOL.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Commons-logo.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original
artist: ?
File:Dogo_Hot_Spring2(Matsuyama_City).JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Dogo_Hot_Spring2%
28Matsuyama_City%29.JPG License: CC-BY-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Jyo81 (ja:User)
File:Edit-clear.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Edit-clear.svg License: ? Contributors: The Tango! Desktop
Project. Original artist:
The people from the Tango! project. And according to the meta-data in the le, specically:Andreas Nilsson, and Jakub Steiner (although
minimally).

6.9. TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

21

File:Ginzan_onsen_2009B.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Ginzan_onsen_2009B.jpg License: CCBY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?

File:Guidebook_to_Hakone_1811a.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Guidebook_to_Hakone_1811a.
jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Himeji_model7.JPG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Himeji_model7.JPG License: CC-BY-SA-3.0
Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Japanese_Baths.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Japanese_Baths.jpg License: Public domain
Contributors: Japan : the place and the people Original artist: Browne, George Waldo, 1851-1930
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hotspring_in_Nagano_Japan_001.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Yosemite
File:Kinosaki_onsen.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Kinosaki_onsen.jpg License: Public domain
Contributors: http://www.kinouya.com/intro.htm Original artist:
File:Kiyonaga_bathhouse_women-2.jpg Source:
women-2.jpg License: Public domain Contributors:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Kiyonaga_bathhouse_

Kiyonaga_bathhouse_women.jpg Original artist: Kiyonaga_bathhouse_women.jpg: Torii Kiyonaga, 1752-1815

File:Kodakara-yu.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Kodakara-yu.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.52.0-1.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Wiiii
File:KodakaraYuBandai.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/KodakaraYuBandai.jpg License: CC-BYSA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:KodakaraYuEntrance.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/KodakaraYuEntrance.jpg License: CCBY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Kurokawa-onsen.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Kurokawa-onsen.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0
Contributors: Own work Original artist: Igorberger
File:Modern_Ofuro.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Modern_Ofuro.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-2.5
Contributors: Own work Original artist: MC MasterChef
File:Modern_sento_at_Takayama.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Modern_sento_at_Takayama.
jpg License: CC-BY-2.0 Contributors: Flickr: Modern sento at Takayama Original artist: sanmai
File:Naruko-roten.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Naruko-roten.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Magnus Manske using CommonsHelper.
Original artist: Jpatokal. Original uploader was Jpatokal at en.wikipedia
File:Ofuro_at_Tamahan_ryokan,_Kyoto.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Ofuro_at_Tamahan_
ryokan%2C_Kyoto.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: MichaelMaggs
File:Onsen-2-Clothes.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Onsen-2-Clothes.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0
Contributors: Own work Original artist: Onsen
File:Onsen-4-washing-cubicles_-_20071009.jpg
Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/
Onsen-4-washing-cubicles_-_20071009.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Onsen
File:Onsen_in_Nachikatsuura,_Japan.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Onsen_in_Nachikatsuura%
2C_Japan.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Uploaded on commons by Guenny Original artist: Chris 73
File:Oobuka_Onsen_Akita_02.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Oobuka_Onsen_Akita_02.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Question_book-new.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: ? Contributors:
Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist:
Tkgd2007
File:SentoLayout.C73.English.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/SentoLayout.C73.English.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
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File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Text_document_
with_red_question_mark.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Created by bdesham with Inkscape; based upon Text-x-generic.svg
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svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Faigl.ladislav using
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Original artist: tkgd2007. Original uploader was Tkgd2007 at en.wikipedia
File:TsubameYuOnsenEntrance.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/TsubameYuOnsenEntrance.jpg
License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Tsurunoyu_Hotspring_in_Akita_Pref_Japan_001.JPG Source:
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File:Tsurunoyu_onsen_rotenburo2.JPG
Source:
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rotenburo2.JPG License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Markmark28
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artist: ?
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CC-BY-2.5 Contributors: 663highland Original artist: 663highland

22

CHAPTER 6. SANSUKE

6.9.3

Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0