In the West, people perceive a visit to the sauna (or any other bath) as an opportunity to relax, and of course, to wash. A completely different meaning is put into this ritual by a person from the east. To visit the Japanese baths ofuro and furako for him means cleansing not only the body, but also the soul. The Japanese believe that the body and mind are one, which is why it is so important to relax not only (and not so much) physically during cleansing. It is necessary to direct your thoughts in the necessary, calm direction. Only in this case ofuro (Japanese bath) will give a positive result. You will feel a sense of peace and tranquility.
A visit to an ofuro is a ceremony that consists of several stages, each of which affects the body in its own way. It consists not only of water procedures, but also of several special types of massage.
How does ofuro work?
This Japanese bath is quite original - a barrel that can be made of larch, oak or cedar. It has a round or rectangular shape. Its height is about eighty centimeters, diameter(round container) - about a meter. If the Japanese ofuro bath (you can see the photo in our article) is rectangular, then its dimensions are 100 x 150 cm.
In this container, a person reclines in hot water. The water is heated to the required temperature by a special stove, which is most often built into the bottom of the barrel. In ancient times, hot stones were used for this, or a barrel was adjacent to the wall of the furnace and thus heated.
What are ovens?
Stoves for the Japanese bath ofuro are external (they are attached to the side of the bath or installed nearby) and submersible. In this case, they are mounted inside the barrel. The choice of furnace depends on the ease of use and the volume of the bath.
Different from saunas
Japanese bath ofuro differs from saunas in the way of heating the human body. In the sauna, this happens due to the high temperature of the steam, and in the ofuro - with the help of hot water. More precisely, such a bath could be called a bathhouse than a steam room, but the water temperature is too high, so you won’t be able to soak in it for a long time.
Bath ceremony
The ceremony begins with a bath. The attendant sits the guest on a low bench and washes him, dousing him with warm water. Then he is taken to the first font. It can be designed for one or several people. Seats are located inside the barrel. Water fills the container so that its upper level is just below the heart of a person sitting in the font.
Bath complexes in Japan are equipped not only with a furako font, but also with an ofuro bath- a rectangular container filled with sawdust. In appearance, this design resembles the most ordinary, but with rather thick walls, a box. It is made from heat-resistant wood and equipped with an electric heating system. Today, many craftsmen make ofuro on their own and install it in a country house, in a country house and even in a city apartment.
Traditionally, crushed cedar (less often linden) sawdust, mixed with the most fragrant herbs, is used for ofuro. This composition is moistened with water and heated to 60 ° C. A person is placed up to the neck in fragrant sawdust for thirty minutes. The body warms up well, active sweating begins, toxins are removed, which are absorbed by sawdust instantly. The skin becomes fresh and smooth, its appearance improves, rashes disappear.
Second stage
Then the person is taken to a second hot water bath (45°C). At the same time, it is recommended to put a cap on your head, after moistening it in cold water, since such a high temperature of water can cause heat stroke even in a familiar person, not to mention beginners. Sea s alt is sometimes added to this container to achieve a relaxing effect. At such a temperature, even if desired, it is difficult to stay for a long time. That is why the second stage lasts no more than five minutes. There are lovers who can withstand up to fifteen minutes in such hot water, but one should not endure through force, as this can seriously harm the body.
Massage
Then comes ofuro with sea pebbles. Immersion in this container creates the effect of a soft massage. After it, a real massage is performed with the help of bamboo. It perfectly relieves spasms, relaxes muscles, relieves stress.
Recreation room
After the massage, the person puts on a light bathrobe and can go to the relaxation room. After the end of all procedures, it is necessary to remain in a state of complete rest and relaxation for some time. To do this, you can listen to quiet calm music, drink herbal or green tea. It is for this purpose that special rest rooms are set up in Japanese baths.
Benefit
Ofuro is a Japanese bath that has many healing properties. It improves the functioning of the kidneys, heart, heals and strengthens blood vessels, normalizes the metabolism in the body, relieves excess weight and removes toxins. It is considered an excellent prophylactic against colds. Essential and aromatic oils, decoctions of medicinal herbs have a rejuvenating effect, calm the nerves.
Cautions
Despite the obvious advantages of such procedures, for an unprepared body this is quite a serious stress. Such high temperatures often affect the body negatively. Ofuro (Japanese bath) have a much more powerful effect than traditional baths or saunas. Therefore, even if you are a big fan of such establishments, a Japanese bath should not be visited without consulting a doctor.
Hot water can cause serious harm, even if you have not complained about your he alth before. Therefore, beforevisiting the bathhouse, do not be too lazy to undergo the necessary examination, especially if you go to the ofuro for the first time.
Specialists believe that ofuro is an excellent analogue of Western options and a wellness complex with massage. If doctors have not identified contraindications, try its relaxing effect. Furako and ofuro are Japanese baths suitable for frequent visits and often part of a single complex.
Ofuro (Japanese bath) in Moscow
Japanese baths have found their fans in our country. We have already said that it is not difficult to make such a design, so it has already appeared in many country houses.
And residents of the capital who do not have summer cottages do not have to go to Japan to experience the miraculous effects of ofuro on the body. Relatively recently, the Taiga Baths complex was opened in the capital. It is located at the address: Volokalamskoe highway, 89, building 1.
Here you can visit a Turkish steam room, a hammam, a Japanese ofuro bath, a Russian bath, a dry Finnish sauna, etc. The complex has six separate two-story wooden log cabins on the banks of the Moskva River, accommodating up to forty people. On the second floor there are billiard tables, table tennis, lounges. You can go through the whole magical ritual, you will be massaged by experienced specialists and offered to relax in the tea room.
After the completion of the bathing ceremony, you can continue your vacation in the Taezhka karaoke bar. Waiting for youmodern art deco interior, professional Karaoke Evolution Pro system with more than seventeen thousand songs. The menu of the karaoke bar offers dishes of European, Japanese and Russian cuisine, various drinks. Here you can celebrate a holiday with friends, hold banquets and theme parties.
On the territory of the complex there is a small hotel "Tayozhny". It has only ten cozy, modernly furnished rooms of different categories.
Ofuro (Japanese bath): reviews
Today, many Russians have already appreciated the merits of this unusual bath. Her first visit causes a lot of positive emotions, a feeling of purity (not only physical, but also spiritual). Most people note: after visiting the ofuro, there is such a burst of energy that you want to fly.
In addition, the beneficial effect of this procedure on the condition of the skin is quite obvious. It becomes velvety, tender, smooth. Improvement in he alth status is noted by people with certain kidney diseases. And of course, women note that ofuro helps fight overweight.
As for the Taiga Baths complex, where you can visit the ofuro, the opinions of visitors and their reviews are divided. Some of the guests are satisfied with the most bathing procedure, the good work of bath attendants and massage therapists.
At the same time, visitors have quite a few complaints about the cleanliness of the premises of the complex, the quality of dishes (cups with a chip), unreasonably high prices. It is to be hoped that the administration of the complex will take into account all the criticisms and eliminate the shortcomings.
