Japanese bath: ofuro, furako, features and examples

Each country has its own historically formed traditions. Features of the Japanese bath are associated with the dominant religion. Let’s remind that earlier in the production of soap they used organic matter – the fat of killed animals. Shintoism and Buddhism are extremely negative about killing animals just for the sake of soap. But you have to wash yourself somehow! So the Japanese started using very hot water, heated to 42–45 ° C. This made it possible to wash off the dirt without makeup.

The two main components of a Japanese bath:

• Furako. This is an oval or round wooden font. Furako is made of oak, cedar, larch, wood that is not afraid of moisture, does not rot or swell. In addition, these types of wood emit beneficial substances and a pleasant aroma when exposed to hot water. Furako must be heated so that the water remains hot throughout the entire procedure. Previously, firewood was used, as in many street fonts, which we have already written about. Electric heating elements are more often used now. They do not lie in furako, but sit on a special bench. The hot tub can be designed for one or several people;
• Ofuro. Rectangular bathtub, also made of wood. In essence, it is an ordinary box designed for a lying person of average height. There is no water in the ofuro, pebbles are laid on the bottom, and sawdust is poured on top, always fresh, fragrant, from cedar and other useful wood species. A person lies down in an ofuro, he is covered with sawdust, which is preheated. There are baths in which there are two ofuro – one container with sawdust, the other with pebbles.

Important! In different regions of Japan, ofuro can also mean a font with water, not only with sawdust. Because of this, confusion with names often arises..

The entire Japanese bath procedure begins with a thorough shower. This is necessary so that the water in the furako remains clean, because soap in a Japanese bath is still not accepted. Hot water in the font should not exceed chest level – the heart remains above the surface so that a person does not experience discomfort. To begin with, experts advise to sit in the font for 5 minutes, no more. Only experienced visitors to the Japanese bath can soak furako in hot water for at least 15 minutes.

After bathing in the font, you can go to ofuro to lie down under the heated sawdust, emitting a pleasant scent of wood, and soak up the warm pebbles. Then the procedure can be repeated, combining with tea drinking, pleasant conversation, rest in a special area with couches.

Essential oils and herbal decoctions are often added to furaco water to enhance the relaxing and healing effect..

We wrote about the interior of a Japanese bath when we proposed various original ideas for decorating such premises. Everything is quite simple, because furako and ofuro can be installed in any room, even in an ordinary, fairly spacious bathroom. Often, a heated hot tub is installed right outside..

It will not be difficult to buy ready-made hot tubs for a Japanese-style bath. The price will vary depending on the size, type of wood, type of heating. On average, an oak furaco for five or six people will cost about 60-80 thousand rubles. Ofuro will cost about the same amount.