Furo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A traditional private ofuro in a Ryokan in Kyoto.

A modern acrylic ofuro in a Japanese apartment.

A Furo (風呂), also known as ofuro (お風呂), is a traditional Japanese bath, which originated steep-sided wooden bathtub. Baths of this type are found all over Japan in houses, apartments and traditional Japanese inns, or Ryokan.

A furo differs from a conventional western bathtub by being of a deeper construction, typically in the region of 0.6 m (25 inches). The sides are generally square rather than being sloped. Traditionally, furo were heated by a wood-burning stove below. Furo are usually left filled with water overnight and emptied the next day. In the old days the same water would remain in the bath for a few days, however due to today's health regulations, this no longer happens. It is Japanese custom that all members of the family use the same bath water each night and therefore it is important be completely clean before entering the bath. This type of ofuro was the precursor of the modern western-style hot tub.

Furo are part of the Japanese ritual of bathing and are not used for washing but for relaxing. Washing is carried out separately outside the ofuro, and only when completely clean does the bather enter the water. Generally Japanese bathrooms are quite small compared to western standards so the bathroom is set up much like a walk-in shower area containing an 'ofuro.' Since the bathroom is a complete wet-area heating is usually provided by air conditioners overhead.The water is hot: usually approximately 100 to 108 degrees F (38 to 42 degrees Celsius).

Modern furo may be made of acrylic, and are generally equipped with a re-circulation system which filters and re-heats the water. This system is connected with the hot water heater, both for gas/propane fired or electric/heat-pump types.