WC Japan

Presenting an article:        

Today’s presentation is inspired by an article from the economist titled: Japanese loos, the world’s greatest toilet culture.

Facilities are not a really alluring subject in our everyday life. Indeed, it has not any particular functions or amazing technologies that can flabbergast us. However, Japanese toilets have nothing to compare with ours.

Here are the main features that make Japanese toilets so unique:

• Firstly, a lot of the toilets have automatic lid lifter which is highly hygienic in public establishments.
• Secondly, the facilities are equipped of heated seat. This option is very comfortable during cold season and can be turned off in summer.
• Thirdly, a toilet sound system called “Oto-hime” (sound princess) is becoming popular. Oto-hime is a preregistered sound which can be activated to mask offending sound when using the loos.
• Finally, the most popular feature is the Washlet system. On a control panel, you can activate a water spray with multiple modes. You can change the water pressure, the height or the temperature.

In Japan, many artists consider the loos are architectural wonders. For example, a project called The Tokyo Toilet renovated 17 public toilets in Tokyo Shibuya with the help of well-known Japanese architects such as Ando Tadao or Kuma Kengo. They transformed casual facilities into magnificent piece of arts in the middle of the city.

Furthermore, in “In praise of shadows”, a 1933 essay about Japanese esthetics, Tanizaki Junichiro described the toilet a “place for spiritual repose”. He explained that the greatest Japanese poets got their inspirations there.

The Japanese toilets are also part of the cinematography. In “Perfect days”, the new film of Wim Wenders, the main protagonist is a Japanese sanitary worker named Hirayama. Thru this 2 hours long drama-comedy, you will see the secret side of public facilities in Tokyo and learn about their fascinating structures. This film will arrive in theatre on the 29th of November.

In conclusion, Japanese toilets are wonderful pieces of innovations and are considered a part of everyday culture in Japan.

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