the art of the bath

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Bathing was historically a public and communal domain around the world, but the recent cult of showering has relegated the washing of the body to a private act devoid of any social possibilities.

While many public onsen and sentō still operate all over Japan, they are less popular with the nation’s younger, more time-poor generations. Last year, in a move to reinvigorate the culture of communal bathing and connect Naoshima’s local residents with the island’s ever increasing influx of visitors, the Fukutake Art Museum Foundation commissioned the local artist Shinro Ohtake to design a brand new public bathhouse.

Built in collaboration with the Osaka design/architecture firm graf, I♥湯, (I love yu – ‘yu’ meaning water in Japanese) stands in the back streets of Naoshima’s sleepy residential district near the ferry port, taking the form of a three-dimensional scrapbook in keeping with Ohtake’s signature style of chaotically bricollaged images.

Like a townhouse on LSD, it comprises an aircraft cockpit, the bottom of a ship, pine and palm trees, neon signs, a cactus garden, an elephant statue from a museum of erotica, painted tiles and mosaics, vintage postcards embedded in the walls and furniture and, yes, steamy baths where members of the local community and visitors to the little Inland Sea island can enjoy the ancient social tradition of sentō up until 9pm.

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Images 1, 3, 5 and 8 courtesy Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum Foundation (Photographer Osamu Watanabe).
All other images by Amelia Groom.
Posted by amelia groom 9:32 AM, April 5th, 2010 5 comments

5 Comments »

  1. I love the idea but it’s not very pretty …

    Comment by Amanda B — April 5, 2010 @ 8:39 pm

  2. No way, I love his style. I have been there and it’s an amazing experience, he also has a restores house/art work on Naoshima:http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopemeng/3776428618/

    Comment by Shiro — April 5, 2010 @ 8:42 pm

  3. Wabi Sabi Sento… so cool!

    Amelia I met you at post TWS opening izakaiya the other night. I love your blog! I discovered it a few weeks ago. Enjoy your stay and hope to see you again…. lets talk Nippon daisuki!

    Comment by Kate — April 9, 2010 @ 12:02 pm

  4. Hi Kate. Thanks! See you next time. x

    Comment by admin — April 9, 2010 @ 9:18 pm

  5. Cool place!

    Comment by Davi A — April 12, 2010 @ 8:35 am

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