- Design
A Japanese bath is a special design for bath procedures, which is used for washing, healing, and relaxation. The main difference from traditional baths is the sequential adoption of two procedures - in a barrel of hot water (furako) and in a bath with hot sawdust (ofuro). The latter procedure gave the name to the traditional Japanese bath - “ofuro”. Another important difference: the body is heated by water, the temperature of which is strictly 45 degrees. There are no other heating devices in the room. The Japanese bath is a home bath, so the buildings are designed for a small number of users, but there is always a supply for guests.
Varieties
Conventionally, there are 3 types of Japanese baths: furako, ofuro and sento. In fact, everything looks different. This classification can only be understood after a more thorough study of each type.
Furaco
The Japanese bathhouse furako involves a voluminous round or oval wooden container in which the procedures take place. A mandatory attribute of the barrel is a heating element. In home versions it is an electric (or more economical gas) heater, in outdoor ones it is a wood heater.
Japanese outdoor bath Source pbs.twimg.com
Interesting! In traditional Japanese baths, the water was always heated with wood.
Inside the container is divided into 2 parts. One is for bathing, the second contains a heating device. There are designs in which the heater is located outside the container. The “font” is equipped with a bench and can accommodate from 1 to 10 people, depending on the size.
Water is heated evenly and can reach 55 degrees or more. For maximum effectiveness of healing properties, herbal infusions, aromatic oils, and flower petals are added to it. Please note that the barrel of a Japanese bath should be made of natural wood; the use of other “dead” materials will not have such healing properties on the body.
Construction of a barrel for a Japanese furako bath Source static.wixstatic.com
The advantages of the Japanese furako bath are as follows:
- Removing waste and toxins released as a result of excessive sweating.
- Stimulation of metabolic processes and immunity.
- Improving skin condition, opening and cleaning pores.
- Normalization of the activity of the heart muscle and blood vessels.
- Prevention and therapy of the genitourinary, nervous systems, musculoskeletal system, respiratory organs.
Healthy! When arranging a furaco bathhouse in the garden, it is advisable to provide a lid. This will prevent foreign debris, dust, and leaves from entering during its downtime.
Ofuro
Healthy! Ofuro bath is called the best natural procedure for rejuvenation and weight loss.
In most cases, it is made in the form of a rectangular wooden box with a side height of 50-60 cm. Ash, cedar or oak are used as materials for assembly. The lower part is equipped with a heating system with a thermostat.
A kind of font is filled with sawdust and shavings, into which a person immerses. To increase the healing effect, medicinal herbs, aromatic oils, roots, and essential oils are added. The composition is heated to a temperature of 45-55°C.
Wooden container for Japanese ofuro Source banya-expert.com
During the procedures of the Japanese bath ofuro, a person is immersed in the mixture and stays inside for 10-30 minutes. During this time, the process of accelerated sweating begins, when increased release of toxins and salts absorbed by the shavings occurs.
Immersion in heated sawdust Source sdelatbanyu.ru
At the same time, wood releases beneficial substances and volatile compounds that have a positive effect on the body. Germs are destroyed, wound healing is accelerated, and irritation is relieved. Aromatic components help improve metabolism and can slow down the aging process of the epidermis.
What is furaco?
Furaco is a large barrel made of wood. The container has a partition. In one part there is a bench on which you can sit. In another branch of the furaco there is hot water. It is heated by the oven to 50 degrees. Before the procedure, you need to take a shower, then lower yourself into a container. The procedure time is a maximum of 15 minutes; beginners can wait up to ten minutes. It is important that the barrel should be immersed only to the level of the heart. Due to the high temperature of the water, the load on the heart muscle increases, and this leads to increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. Furaco is visited to relax and relieve stress. Regular visits solve problems with the kidneys, joints and promote the removal of toxins.
What is included in a visit to a Japanese bath?
The popularization of Japanese life and wellness procedures as an effective method in the pursuit of beauty and rejuvenation of the body has made furako and ofuko one of the most popular in modern spa salons. Let's look at a standard service package using a specific example.
Important! A package of additional services (massage, aromatherapy, gymnastics, lifting, etc.) is not considered in this case, since we are talking only about a bathhouse.
Ablution
At the first stage of the Japanese bath, a person is immersed in a huge wooden furaco barrel filled with hot water, the temperature of which must be at least 50 ° C. However, before entering the “font” you must take a shower and cleanse your body of dirt and sweat.
Interesting! Despite the fact that the Japanese baths ofuko and furako are called saunas, they do not involve washing procedures. Their main purpose is relaxation and treatment.
After a shower, a person is placed in a Japanese furaco barrel filled with moderately heated water (35-41°C). Only after the body “adapts” to the temperature does the thermal effect begin to increase. The heating of the liquid increases evenly and reaches 50°C. The process can occur in 2 ways:
- By transplanting from one barrel (with “cool”) water to another, with “hot” water.
- The entire cycle is carried out in one barrel with a built-in heating system and a temperature controller, which controls the temperature.
Immersion in hot water without preheating can cause burns and dizziness.
Important! During a visit to a Japanese bathhouse in an unfamiliar spa, the first thing you notice is the number of barrels. The only container into which boiling water is immediately poured is evidence of a violation of Japanese traditions and the quackery of the institution.
Japanese bath in a spa salon Source fitorelax.ru
Ofuro font with stones
After the procedure with sawdust, you must take a session with heated stones. To begin with, they are laid on their stomach. To avoid getting burned on them, they are covered with a sheet. Heated stones are also placed on the back along the spine, but of a larger size, so that they do not cool down quickly.
The procedure is then repeated after turning over. While in such a stone bath, a light massage is performed. Thus, the muscles of the body not only warm up and the tension goes away.
Benefits and contraindications
The benefits of the Japanese bath, culture and life in general are confirmed by the fact that the Japanese are among the leading countries in terms of life expectancy. In 2021, the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) published analytical information about the entire population of the globe. According to the data, in Japan this value is 87.3 years (in Russia 72.9).
The healing Japanese bath process also makes a certain contribution to long life. The most visible effects on the body include the following:
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Prevention and treatment of colds.
- Restore strength, relieve fatigue, nervous excitement.
- Charging with a good mood, relieving stress.
- Improved metabolism.
- Cleansing from salts and toxins.
- Skin rejuvenation.
- Losing weight.
Visiting the Furako and Ofuko baths is contraindicated for the following problems:
- Skin diseases.
- Chronic, infectious and aggravated diseases.
- High blood pressure.
- Oncology.
- Epilepsy.
- Pregnancy.
- Individual intolerance to individual components.
Important! As can be seen from the list presented, there are enough contraindications to visiting a Japanese bath. Therefore, before your first visit, we recommend that you consult with your doctor or therapist.
Assembly technology
The technology for manufacturing and assembling a sauna barrel is based on traditional cooperage technology.
assembly of frame elements (rivets)
A barrel is assembled from frame elements (rivets) and the rivets are secured on the outside with hoops. The number of rivets is pre-calculated based on the diameter of the intended container. The rivets are then prepared by bending to create the required configuration of the bath barrel circle.
Let us tell you, the larger the diameter of the container, the less effort is required to create the bending radius of the wooden die and the easier it will be to assemble the container. The barrel rivets must be butt (tongue-and-groove). The tongue and groove will ensure tightness and preserve the natural breathing of the wood. The rivets are assembled around the perimeter of the small hoop.
It is recommended to use clamps for this. With eurolining there is no such need, because assembly is carried out using a tongue-and-groove joint.
installation of fastening hoops and the bottom of the container
After assembling the entire diameter of the future container, the hoop is moved to the middle of the riveting - to the center. Then the lower part of the rivets is heated for 20 minutes and placed inside a large hoop.
This installation is carried out on a flat and smooth surface, eliminating distortion and possible deformation. Using strong twine, we tighten the resulting structure until the rivets are butted together. Now we put a small hoop on top.
The assembled frame of the barrel is leveled. Then the lower ring is loosened and the bottom of the container is installed with the siphon prepared and installed. The lower hoop is returned to its original position. If necessary, the container is ground and treated inside and out with thermal oil (linseed oil), followed by coating with wax.
Hoops for the container are made from strips of hot-rolled tool steel 30 mm thick. The strip is bent on a pipe bender to the required bending radius. Holes are drilled at the ends of the hoop strip and a lock is installed. The outside of the assembled container is decorated with an ornament burned into wood or stylized painting. For the convenience of visiting the bathhouse, a convenient staircase is installed or a podium is built.
To install a furaco bathhouse, you need a prepared, solid foundation, because the weight of a wooden structure with water is significant. You can place baths anywhere in your garden plot or private house, having thought through the convenience of water supply and its discharge.
To drain water from the container, use a siphon for a shower tray or bathtub, equipped with a debris mesh and a removable siphon liner. The choice of connection should be standard, for example, for a tank Q=0.9 l/s - DN50.
installing a submersible hot water furnace
For Japanese baths, it is preferable to use wood-burning immersion stoves with a lid, made of food grade stainless steel 304 with a wall thickness of 20 mm. The stove can be purchased ready-made or welded from steel sheets according to the rules for assembling wood-burning stoves.
Fuel is supplied to the water heating furnace from above. Heating of water in the barrel is carried out due to contact of the internal part of the firebox with a heat exchange area of up to 2 sq.m. To increase heat transfer, 2-3 pipes are placed at an angle in the firebox.
To remove combustion products from the firebox, a chimney with an umbrella, also made of food steel, 1.5-2 m high, is used.
The submersible furnace is installed to the font container using fastening petals and a flange.
Additional accessories
To care for a furaco barrel, you need simple equipment. They are offered by manufacturers of bath equipment:
- Barrel lid. Protects from debris and heat loss during heating.
- Long-handled poker and ash scoop
- Pump for quick drainage of water (or natural flow drainage system)
- Thermometers
- Paddle for stirring water
A floating tray table is useful for receiving guests. They even offer light and music lighting for furaco baths. But a disco in a bathhouse is not Japanese. A set of aromatic oils and herbal mixtures will come in handy. To combine fun and wellness on a frosty bath day.
Great Britain
At the beginning of the century, the word glamping appeared on the islands. This is the name for a glamorous outdoor recreation. The most comfortable conditions are created in tents, wigwams or yurts. Guests are guaranteed a warm toilet, shower, kitchen and walks along ecological trails.
Furaco baths immediately fit into the life of glamping camps. This is all-season fun for couples and groups. In England, even in summer it can be damp and chilly. It’s nice to plunge into the ofuro plunge pool in this weather. In the heat after a hot bath, the body breathes easier and sweats less. Reviews of visits to barrels of all types are always enthusiastic.
Fly in the ointment in a barrel of steam
It would be unfair to note the main advantages of such a product as a barrel steam room and remain silent about the shortcomings. But they exist, and for some they are important:
- Small internal space. As mentioned above, from a lot of advantages comes a lot of disadvantages. In any case, this is not an option for a large noisy group of vacationers in a wide and noisy area.
- The absence of not only a full-fledged rest room, but also a dressing room - a vestibule - will cause a very rapid cooling of the internal volume, which includes the steam room barrel. And if you can constantly keep an electric heater in good shape, then it is not very convenient to constantly fire a wood-burning stove.
- In single-volume structures such as a steam barrel, ventilation does not always work correctly. Insufficient air flow is not able to dry the steam room properly; excessive air flow removes heat.
- The designs of such a system require increased attention to protect the wood from unfavorable environmental conditions, from all sides.
