In the West, a bath is a place where one goes to cleanse the body; in Japan, it is where one goes to cleanse the soul. In America, the idea of getting in a tub to soak conveys either a bubble-filled luxury, an extravagant and indulgent alternative to the speed and efficiency of the shower, or a once-a-week pioneer- style necessity of avoiding body odor. When one bathes in Japan, it is about muchmore than cleanliness, though cleanliness is important. It is about family and community, the washing of each other's backs before bathing; about time to be alone and contemplative-time to watch the moon rise above the garden. The idea of taking time and care with one's bath in Japan is as important as taking time and care with cooking and serving dinner. Unlike America, where speed and efficiency are valued (and in many states, the idea of water conservation), the Japanese make bathing a ritual-a prescribed order of rinsing, washing, and soaking that is passed down from one generation to the next, becoming an integral part of the society at large.

Japanese bathing is basically made up of four steps. First, after taking off one's clothes in the datsuiba,' the bather steps into the washing area next to the bathtub and sits down on a small stool. It is usual here to dip one's hand into the hot water to check the temperature. Since the entire area is waterproof, one picks up a wooden bucket (unfortunately sometimes today it is made of plastic and scoops hot water from the tub, pouring it over the shoulders. This is repeated several times, rinsing off the dirt from the entire body. Rinsing is accomplished rather quickly, the point being twofold: to clean off the dirt from one's body before entering the hot water that is to be shared by others and to accustom the body to the temperature of the bathwater.

Now that the body is ready for soaking, the bather climbs over the edge of the bathtub and slowly descends into the bath. If the bathwater is too hot, cold water from the faucet can be added-though traditionally the Japanese bath is hotter than baths taken in America, usually tending to be about 110 degrees (43.33 degrees Celsius). One slowly sinks into the water, and after a while, the body becomes used to the water, feeling gradually as though the heat has penetrated to its core. The tingling sensation disappears and changes into a mildly dull pleasant feeling. Usually this is the sign that the body is ready to be scrubbed. In winter, the first soaking can take up to ten minutes; in summer, it can be as short as three minutes.

Feeling somewhat heavy, as if one has been cooked, the bather gets out of the tub and sits down on the stool again. This time he or she gets a bucketful of water from the faucet. Rubbing soap onto a loofah,³ washcloth, or sponge, he or she completely rubs him or herself all over from head to toe. While still sitting down, the shampooing begins, and it is not unusual at this point for another family member to come in and help scrub the bather's back. The feeling is that now one has been cooked, it is time to vigorously scrub-to get every possible inch of dead skin and dirt scraped off the body. Most Japanese remain seated while soaping the body, taking care not to splash any soap scum into the tub water, and depending on mood, this scrubbing can take as long as ten to fifteen minutes.The bather completely rinses off the soapsuds, then rinses once again. At this point, he or she is ready for the last soaking. Since the body is already warmed this time, it is easier to descend into clean water. The body feels smooth and soft after the vigorous scrubbing, and the muscles and nerves begin unwinding from accumulated tensions of the day. After this last soak, one might take a cold shower or simply splash some cold water over the shoulders. In the datsuiba, the bather dries off and puts on a yukata or comfortable clothing. Finally, the Japanese bath is finished and the rest of the evening awaits.

Taking a short bath is looked down upon-in Japan it is taking a Karasu no gyozui, or raven's³ bath, with the implication that it is done hastily and without care. The Japanese put the American shower into this category. Bathing is to be done with care, taking time and pleasure, and should be valued as a prescribed part of one's daily routine.