Japanese People, Machines and Bathtubs
In lieu of the dyeing photos that I forgot at home today, I have more photos from Japan. So much is visually and graphically expressed in Japan that the oft-mentioned contradictions and contrasts are made even more apparent. In Kyoto, we bumped into a Maiko getting her photos taken by an American pro photographer…and then at Harajuku station in Tokyo, we found pockets of people all dressed up for the weekend in their costumes:
And here some of the girls that were sitting outside the GAP in Ometosando. Too shy to take a photo with these girls, I took a photo of other tourists getting their photo taken.
We spent quite a bit of time at the Robot Station at the Expo too…watching little Japanese kids play with the “child care robot”. This robot, called PaPeRo, actually responds to pats on the head and verbal instructions — it blushes and “plays” with the kids!
The yellow robot is Mitsubishi’s Wakamaru robot — a hospitality robot that speaks and understands four different languages. It can recognize faces and, in the shot below, was actually looking at me — creepy but very cool. Many of the robots on display at the Expo were actually in use onsite!
And finally, we spent on night at an onsen in Osaka called “Fushioukaku”. So relaxing. It was a perfect way to spend a day between train rides and luggage hauling. I mean, you take as many baths as you like in their hot springs…next to a waterfall…under cherry blossoms! The only thing you have to think about is when you’re going to have your next bath!
See the lovely stone bathtub on the hotel balcony outside our suite? I want one. We’re renovating our bathroom this summer and it’s starting too look like a real challenge. Our house is old old old to start with and the bathroom is tiny. I’ve measured the old bathtub and it’s 57″ x 27″. WHAT?!? All “standard” bathtubs are 60″ x 30″ (or 32″) nowadays! How will we find a new tub to fit our silly little bathroom? I was thinking of installing a tiny Japanese-style soaker tub instead!
wonderful photos, as always! i could sit in that tub for HOURS.
oh, and i think your muted plum skeins from the last post are gorgeous.
Wow, looks like you had a fantastic time!
If your bathtub is built in, it was probably put in against the studs BEFORE the plasterboard and tile (which is still the way tubs are installed now) - so it may actually be 60″ long. Regardless, I’d expect to have a hole in the wall, if you rip it out and put in something smaller. If you find a Japanese soaker tub that you like, please do blog it - this architect would love to try one out!
Japanese teens are wonderful to watch. I just love how interested they are in expressing themselves. Their fashion is endless, inspiring, and like you said, contradictory. Thank you for sharing your photos.
Ooooh! I want a soaker tub too! Thanks for sharing the stories and the pictures.
what a tub. i love it. great pics.
My friends put up a teepee in their backyard and installed a Japanese bathtub in it (I’m not kidding!) I have to figure out a way to take one bath in it - I love Japanese baths! (Your pics are great BTW. As usual!)
Hi Felicia,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but haven’t posted any comments yet. I love your hand dyed yarns and your hand spun yarns look great!
I also live in Vancouver,BC and love knitting. I noticed that you were looking for a small tub. I’m an interior designer and I came across one at work today. You can order it through Cantu Bathroom and Hardware, located at Main & Kingsway. 604-688-1252. http://www.bette.co.uk. A model that may interest you is: BetteForm - 140×70cm. Cantu carries many european lines, so there’s probably more to chose from too!
Good Luck!
Olivia
For those looking for a Japanese tub, Kohler makes something similar, called a Greek soaking tub (model K-1490). It’s only 48″ long. There is also one 40″ long and wide (and 32″ deep) made by a company called Amitech (I think). saw it on http://www.plumbingstore.com
I am remodeling my house in northern California and we plan to install one.
there are wood ones also, nice to look at but I would find it hard to maintain and not get grody..
I LOVE this kinds of bathtubs!!! They are sooo much bigger than my parents!!! When I get my own house I’m making sure it has a Japanese bathtub!!!