Pit Workers in the Old Days #14: Bathhouse
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yamabito #14: Yokujo
[Pit Workers in the Old Days #14: Bathhouse]
25.4 x 35.7 cm Ink Painting

Text at the Right End
At that time, pit workers thought it natural for men and women to bathe together. Even the fixtures of the bathhouse were incomplete and all the people in the bathtub washed their bodies with soap [contrary to the Japanese tradition]. Therefore, water in the bathtub became so dirty later that it looked as dark as the indigo in a jar to dye cloth. It also smelled bad, though the water was not so clear originally because it was pumped up from underground. The water was forced up with some steam pumps step by step and the included cylinder oil made their skins sticky and the dirt and grime hard to remove.
Soap was sold at 3 sen (0.03 yen) per piece, which was solid lime and their eyes would ache and become inflamed if they were exposed to it. No western-style towels were used, only Japanese-style ones made of cotton.

Text at the Bottom Left
When it became cold (in winter) those who came to the bathhouse earlier would ask the bathhouse clerk to heat up the bathwater because they felt it lukewarm, and those who came later would ask him to add cold water to lower the water temperature because they felt it too hot.
Additionally, many pit workers (yamabito) jumped into the bathtub without cleaning even their bottoms as soon as they took off their clothes.

Lettering on the Notice Pasted on the Wall
Washing your bodies and singing loudly in the bathtub are prohibited.
-A Certain Pit

Tattoo on the Back of a Man Standing beside the Bathtub
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: I embrace and practice the teachings of the Lotus Sutra


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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