Tips & Facts About "Wa Style" Japanese Baths

I want to share the original painting I did for my new book, How to Take a Wa Style Bath: From the Onsen to the Comforts of Your Own Home, of the famous ♨️ onsen mark that signifies onsen or sento--hot springs and public baths on maps in Japan.

Did you know that the 3 wavy lines has another meaning besides symbolizing hot water? They are also indicators on how long you should soak in order to get the most out of an onsen bath. The left line is slightly shorter than the middle one, and the right one being shortest--this reflects what was the recommended duration for each soak: first you start off soaking for 5 minutes (represented by the left line), then 8 minutes (center line), and last of all, 3 minutes (right line) to wrap up an onsen bath.

When it's chilly out and despite most wanting to take a hotter bath, one at 40 or 41 degrees Celsius (104 or 106 Fahrenheit) can do your body lots of good. Bathing temperature is so important that I devoted a chapter just about it. And many people forget to stay hydrated before and after taking baths. It's important to have some water, or some warm herbal tea around 15 minutes before one, since that is the amount it takes for the fluid to travel throughout the body. It is said that a person usually loses approximately 500 mL of fluid from taking just regular bath! So drink up too, after taking one.

For more tips about wa style, or Japanese style bathing for at the onsen (hot spring) or at home, check out my book, available on Amazon & Blurb now! jodisam.com/books/wastylebath/

How to Take A Wa Style Bath

Available Now! Please visit here for the details:
jodisam.com/books/wastylebath/

I have been working on this project for over 2 years, much longer than expected. Who knew that a 58 page booklet on taking a bath can take this long to put together? However, am so happy with the results that I can't wait to share with you all and rushed the launch to end of 2017 instead of 2018. It's really a Christmas present to myself! Hahaha......

As you all know, am not a doctor nor a specialist in baths and bathing. Why I wrote and illustrated this book is to share with others, who have yet to discover the wonderful benefits of taking a bath, especially wa style. Wa 和 when used in combination form it means "Japanese" style, method, or way. Yet when used by itself, wa 和 can mean peace, friendship and harmony.

I grew up in the modern Western society that often takes fast, quick, and efficient over anything else. Having relocated to Tokyo in 2010 and later experiencing chronic body pain for an extended period of time, I was told to start taking baths every day by my Japanese friends and doctors. I did enjoy the occasional trip to the traditional onsen 温泉 (hot spring), but as a person who showered all the time, the option seemed not worth the trouble. However, I eventually gave in during one very cold winter and I have not looked back ever since. I have not been fully cured, but taking baths have helped me with my condition so that I can start off my day refreshed, and look forward to what is in store for me.

Because bathing has a long history in Japan, there are lots of information, customs, trends, what mom had said, and personal preferences, most of them are in Japanese. I have collected what I have known, heard, read, experienced and presented it here in a no-frill format along with my approach to this daily ritual, and hope you too can enjoy the wonders of wa style baths!

I haven't done this much research since university and let alone 90% of it was in Japanese. Yet creating this was one of the most amazing journeys that I have experienced, from the research to writing and illustrating, from all the technological aspects to the personal ones. I mean, I even met in person one of the authors whose work I highly admired, and now have become friends with! I'll do a separate post on that later, because it deserves one. I started this project in Tokyo and completed it in Vancouver--a heartfelt nod to both cities that I call home.

Thank you to all the wonderful people around me, and the others, who I have crossed and will cross paths with. Without you, nothing would be possible, yes, nothing!

Happy Birthday Lala!

It was exactly one year ago that "My Little book of Happiness" was released on Amazon worldwide. Here's a small Happy Birthday to Lala, and a big thank you to everyone who has read the story, and hopefully discovered a little happiness in your everyday life!

jodisam.com/books/happiness/

Spring, Sakura and Cherry Blossoms

Spring, my favourite season, well other than autumn.  And my favourite symbol of this beautiful season is the sakura, cherry blossoms.  So much so, that when I painted a different cover for My Little Book of Happiness, I decided to use the flower.  How can you not fall in love with these tiny little blooms, kissed with a touch of pink?

It was windy and pouring in Tokyo today, but I still managed to take a quick shot of these beauties.  Noticed the few drops of rain on the fresh petals?

What is also lovely is just right after they are in full bloom, the breeze will pass by, and it will be snowing cherry blossoms.  That was the inspiration for the cover.  Taking a relaxing stroll under the sakura trees, daydreaming, and feeling blessed.  Ah, I just wished the season can last longer......

Poetry & Paint Anthology - Lost

I often get lost, not only physically (just ask any of my poor friends waiting for me!) but also in my thoughts.  I don't necessarily find it to be a bad thing, especially when I can make new discoveries, be it a small cozy cafe, a beautiful stationery store, or about myself.

A couple of months ago, I received an email from Carmina, a lovely writer in London who puts together an anthology of poems and illustrations.  Her next anthology was to be around the theme "Lost".  What a great subject I thought.  So, am happy to be a part of her wonderful anthology, which features both my poem and illustration, and would like to share it here with everyone.  I hope you will like it!

There are also other enthusiastic artists who contributed to this collection.  Please do visit the following links for more information:

www.lulu.com/shop/carmina-masoliver/poetrypaint-lost/paperback/product-21257088.html
www.poetryandpaint.wordpress.com

My Little Book of Happiness

It's finally here!  My Little Book of Happiness is now available worldwide on various Amazon websites. Below are the direct link to Amazon.com.  For all other links, please visit this page:
jodisam.com/books/happiness. 

Thank you very much for your support, and I look forward to hearing your comments about my new book either here or on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/mylittlebookofhappiness

For readers without Kindle devices: below each icon for purchasing the book in your respective countries/area, is a link to download free Kindle Reading applications for your smartphones and tablets (Android for smartphones and iPad).  Please download and register your application/device before purchasing your copy. Because Kindle for PC and Mac cannot be used to read this publication, kindly select Kindle for Android, Kindle for iPad, or a Kindle device.

www.amazon.com/dp/B00EXK4YX2

Coming Soon: My Little Book of Happiness

This has been a long time in the making. Finally, it's almost complete--My Little Book of Happiness.  I first wrote this story several years ago, and come next month, it'll be available on Amazon Kindle worldwide.  And no worries, if you don't have an actual Kindle Reader, as there are various applications you can download on Amazon that would allow you to view it digitally.

It isn't only me that have poured heart and soul (sweat included!) into this project.  So, a big thank you once again to everyone who has supported me along the way.  The next feat, not an eBook, but an actually hardcover version with a dust jacket and all!

Coming Soon in Sep 2013 to Amazon Kindle worldwide! Stay Posted!

Website:
jodisam.com/books/happiness/

Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/mylittlebookofhappiness