Japanese toilet

From ArticleWorld

Japanese toilets are toilets that are commonly found in Japan. Several types of toilets are available in the country with the oldest one being the squat toilet, still used in many public toilets today. Modern models that have been imported from other countries are still used and high-tech toilet systems are currently providing the country with an important industry. Out of them, bidet toilets with built in electrical systems are the most popular.

History

Ever since the beginning of civilization in the region of Japan, toilets have been used. It is not known how they looked or how they were used and the earliest records found pointing towards a sewage system being built dates back to the Yayoi period. The Nara period portrayed a drainage system being created in Nara. Instead of toilet paper, wooden sticks were being used. As time passed it was replaced by seaweed and eventually an early form of toilet paper was created out of washi. One common practice in Okinawa showed toilets being attached to pig pens. The animals were being fed human wastes but this stopped after World War II. 1884 saw the beginning in using modern sewage systems, firstly in Tokyo. The year 200 showed 60% of the population being connected to a drainage network. The evolution in toilet manufacturing led to Japan producing some of the most high tech toilets in the world today.

Specific accessories

Some accessories can rarely be found outside the country:

• The Sound Princess – Many women in Japan hated the thought of somebody hearing them while in the toilet. Because of this they used to flush several times, creating a loss of water. The practice led to the introduction of the accessory that reproduces flushing sound as soon as one enters the toilet. Nowadays it is used in most public women’s toilets.
• Toilet slippers – A common practice in Japan is to divide clean areas from unclean regions. This is usually done by wearing or not wearing shoes in different rooms. In the past toilets were built outside the homes and this led to the creation of the toilet slippers. They were used for a trip to the toilet. Another practice that is still common nowadays is to have toilet slippers placed in front of the toilet room. One will use them when entering it and this will also create a sign that it is being used. Many Japanese tend to neglect them today and they are believed to be a part of tradition, which can be respected or not, based on the individual.