Here is a link to read about this man. He lived a very strange and violent life and yet spent apparently a considerable amount of time studying the arts. In today's world he would quite probably be locked away for life. I can almost picture the FBI agents asking him questions through the plexiglass. Having lived in Japan for a while, and knowing the Japanese love for going to the onsen, I find it rather disturbing that this guy didn't take a bath. Of course a Geisha painting her teeth black is not a nice thought either haha, but that is another story. http://www.samurai.com/5rings/ Well, anyway my post was about bathing and the social bathing of Japan. At first the culture to me was really difficult to feel comfortable in, but now it's a delight to be part of, and I think I shall feel quite the stranger upon returning to the states. If I ever build a house in the US, the first item will be a huge Japanese style bathhouse. For those of you who have never experience a Japanese public bathhouse, I can only say that it is wonderful. In fact, I can remember when they were still coed. You have a 6ft 3in man to walk naked into a coed bathhouse with a wet towel on his head and tattoos all over and you can imagine the stares I got. Anyway, my kids and I always loved going there, and they are set up so that the whole family goes then afterwards you can get some nice food and a cold beer. Many people living in the city area go to these vice bathing at home, and it's not unusual to find a bathhouse very close to the home you rent in Japan. I would be out walking the dog and always see some people walking to or returning from the bathouse with their shower buckets filled with soap and shampoo. For Gods sake dont go to the bathhouse wearing knee high laced up boots because you must take them off at the door. I suggest some slippers. You also need indoor slippers, dont forget those. Most bathhouses sell tickets to enter from machines. You go in and buy the tickets and give these tickets to the man or woman at the desk. This gets you a basket, key, and robe (not a kimono, just a japanese bath robe). You dont get a towel. Some bathhouses have soap and shampoo in dispensers on the wall too. After this exchange the family now splits up, mom going one way and dad (usually with the kids the other). Girls go with dad and boys go with mom up to a certain age usually 4 then the girls hang out with mom exclusively. Next is the changing room filled with small lockers. Here you deposit all your clothes and move into the bathhouse proper. A large tiled room lined with faucets and shower nozzles is the first thing you will encounter. All the washing, scrubbing, shampooing and yes teeth brushing is done in this part of the bath. Some baths will just be one big room, others separate this room from the main bath. Of course, Japanese do not was in the bath water. NO NO! that is very bad. You must was your body outside the tub sitting on a small plastic stool or in the posh places a wooden one. There is a small hole in the center of the stool to let water drain off it, although many foreigners think it is for the release of gas (gasp). Men often was their fathers backs and vice versa. This is very important, and if someone offers to wash your back, then that is a great respect given and should be returned. Baths have various temperatures ranging from damn hot to God damn hot! LOL. Really, you come out of there like a Maine lobster. There is often a cold shower room as well to close the pores. You may see multiple forays into the pools mixed with repeated scrubbings of the body at the stools. After your completely clean, and believe me you are. You proceed back to the clothes room, change into either your clothes or the bathrobe and head out to the waiting area where it is 99.99% guaranteed that the wife will not be waiting. Here you can buy a beer, soda, or juice and the kids will run around like crazy while you cool off and have a smoke.