Sunday, October 06, 2024

Grannie Chops Wood To Heat Water for180+- year-old Public Bath

I watched a TV program this evening about unique people and places in Japan. From Iwate Prefecture comes the story of Hiryusan no Yuu (飛龍山の湯) a 180+-year-old bath (not onsen) located in the mountains 40 minutes by car from the nearest city. Tsubuhari Kimi, who gave her age as 88, is the 7th- generation caretaker of the bath. Every day she cleans the bath and chops wood to heat the water. The bath is free, by the way. She explained that she does this out of a sense of loyalty and responsibility as well as a wish that the medicinal properties of the water heal the sick. I couldn't find a YouTube video, but there's this.

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