Text／陳頤華

The origin of culture comes from the exchange and transmission of information among people. This is especially true in public bathhouses, where people gather to bath with sincerity and unreserved attitudes. In the past, when information was not as readily accessible as it is now, people had a window to understanding society through these public bathhouses. This issue of "Bathhouse on the Street" starts with "Japanese public bath". It explores the appearance of daily life in Taiwan and Japan’s public bathing places. It also introduces how to re-innovate and reconstruct public bathing culture and bathhouses to meet current needs while continuing to use the space as one of local cultural exchange in these changing times. 

Japanese public bathing culture from the Edo Period’s initial mission of "social communication" has shaped the driving force of Japanese culture: travel writer Dato and designer Hally Chen explore how Japanese public baths were popularized amongst intergenerational travelers; Shitamachi nobles explain experiences of local culture by working in the bathhouse; and finally, Stephanie, a French public bath ambassador, delves into the precious value of public bath art beyond nationality.

 In 1913, the Beitou Public Bathhouse became the largest hot spring public bath in East Asia. After its decline and subsequent revival, the Beitou Hot Spring Museum came into existence. No matter whether a Japanese public bath or public bathhouse, bathing culture faithfully connects common feelings between Taiwan and Japan. Through the blueprint of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum by curator Zhao-Jia Zhong, you can experience the past, present, and future of the Wallless museum. Additionally, a first-time international exchange of Taiwan and Japan’s public baths place happens through a connection between the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and the time-honored KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS in Tokyo, starting a dialogue across the sea. Moreover, the exhibition will be held in both Beitou and Tokyo, leading people to experience the spirit of innovation and local culture. 

Telling the story of the coexistence of one person and a block through bathhouses, as well as continuing to write the story of Beitou’s baths through the connection between Taiwan and Japan, is important. In the current changing times, the sincerity of bathing culture brings the public bath closer to home, in turn, opening the mind and body.

《浸北投》

第三期｜街道上的浴室

【目錄】

●泡一回北投文化｜特輯主題

An Interview with Beitou Hot Spring Museum Curator Zhong Zhaojia
The past, the present, and the future of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum

—北投溫泉博物館 館長．鍾兆佳　口述

"Welcome to the Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" Taiwan-Japan exhibition process records
A Beitou bathing pool in Tokyo

—小杉湯 主理人．平松佑介　口述

●浴場閑談｜跨界對話

Designer Hally Chen & Travel writer dato
We Love Sento!The Cross-generational Conversation of Sento Fans!

—設計師．Hally Chen　口述
旅行作家．dato　　　 口述

●時光案內｜文化帶路

專訪建築學者李清志
A shuttle between tourism and daily life - exploring bathhouses in the city

—建築學者．李清志　口述

●熱力發信｜台日浴場文化觀點交流

Follow the Taiwanese Woman Shitamachikizoku into the Japanese Sento
The bath and the undressing site are my battlefields! A Sento Jobber's Diary

—台灣人錢湯打工仔．下町貴族　撰文

Stephanie, a French Woman, Turns into a Japanese Sento Guide
Follow the Sento Goodwill Ambassador and Feel the Charm of the Bath!

—日本錢湯大使．Stephanie Crohin　撰文