the japanese bath

one of the books i picked up while i was on vacation was the japanese bath. it's not only beautiful, but gives a very interesting peek into a very different way of approaching something we probably don't give a second thought.

i honestly love the idea of a family, or even a couple, being close enough to wash each other's backs without fuss. and the ritual of cleansing? i could easily succumb. because at the beginning and end of the day, there's nothing better than sitting under a stream of hot water, with my forehead leaning against the cool tile.

and beyond bathing and aesthetics, i found the book to be a simple reminder that we are so very much a product of our culture. and there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing things your own way. there's a good bet it's acceptable somewhere.

{photo by heddaselder}