Bathing, Japanese ritual of body and mind purification

Le bain, rituel japonais de purification

Did you know that in Japan you already have to be clean to enter the bath?


Indeed, bathing, whether public or private, is considered an activity of purification of the mind. An active meditation for let go of your concerns and refocus. This is why bath water, which brings calm to the mind, should not be contaminated.

This old tradition of 2000 years draws its origins from the Buddhist religion and the numerous hot water springs that punctuate thevolcanic archipelago. In the 6th century, temples were the first places to use these natural hot springs and steam for purification of body and mind.

This art of living which has spanned the centuries is practiced in dedicated places and is accompanied by very specific rules and objects. The first being tobe clean before immersing yourself in water.

For the Japanese, the action of ridding the body of all traces of perspiration and dirt also has the effect of cleansing the mind.

The three types of Japanese baths

Onsen:

Hot water springs naturally heated by the volcanic soil (between 39° and 42°) converted into traditional inns (Ryokan) or in thermal spas (Onsen) in nature.

Sento:

Public baths where we meet with friends and neighbors to relax, create social connections and meditate.

FurĂŽ:

The individual bathtub that you enter is also clean so that the water can be used by the whole family.

Photo of Romeo A. on Unsplash

In practice:

Every evening, two hours before bedtime, allow yourself a moment for you with you.

You must first stripping oneself of one's clothes and one's worries, before washing and rinsing carefully using soap and exfoliating towels.

These gestures are usually practiced in the anterooms of the baths on small stools with basins made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood.

Only after completing these acts of purification can relaxation in the warm water of the bath begin. A bath of 10 minutes around 39° is ideal for boost the immune system.

The water can be enhanced with purifying bath salts which have numerous benefits for the skin, muscles and joints.

The selection Bijo;

Dead Sea Salts, regenerating and rich in minerals, associated with the synergies of essential oils SHIGETA.

Bath salts of the strait of Tsugaru infused with the relaxing and anti-bacterial essence of pine wood Hiba Aomori of Cul de Sac.

Much more than just a shower head, the OXYGEN MICRO MIST SHOWER is a real beauty tool designed for deep cleaning of skin pores and hair fibers.

Thanks to its advanced micro-bubble technology, it generates ultra-fine bubbles that eliminate impurities embedded in pores while providing intense hydration to the skin.

Washing gels and solid soaps with Japanese silk Cokon Lab and their refined perfumes.

Bath brushes SHAQUDA and their long wooden handles to clean the back or cotton towels and washi paper to gently exfoliate the skin.

To complete the bath ritual and finish with a touch of delicacy and softness, bath slippers SASAWASHI and the towels Olsia, acclaimed for their high absorption capacity despite their lightness.