Yuzu bath

A yuzu bath, also known as a yuzuyu (柚子湯), is a bathing tradition that is celebrated on the winter solstice in Japan. Yuzu fruits, citrus fruit of East Asian origin known for their characteristically strong aroma and the fragrant oil from their skin (nomilin), are floated in the hot water of the bath, releasing their aroma. The fruit may also be floated cut in half, allowing the citrus juice to mingle with the bathwater and color it yellow-orange, or enclosed in a cloth bag. Alternatively, yuzu-scented bath salts are used.[1] Yuzu baths are believed to guard against colds, treat the roughness of skin, warm the body, and relax the mind.[2][3]

History

The custom of sitting in yuzu baths on the winter solstice originates from the Japanese tradition of adding seasonal plants to bath water for medicinal or therapeutic purposes as well as general enjoyment. Yuzu baths, originating to the Edo period (1603–1867), may have been inspired by the goroawase (語呂合わせ, lit. "phonetic matching") of the characters for the words “winter solstice” (冬至) and “hot-spring cure” (湯治), both of which can be read as tōji.[4]

Capybara baths
Capybaras swimming in the yuzu bath at the Izu Shaboten Zoo.

In 1982 at the Izu Shaboten Zoo in Itō, Shizuoka, Japan, an employee cleaning the capybara enclosure with hot water noticed the animals huddling together in a warm puddle. Continuing on since the year it started, employees will prepare a yuzu bath for the capybaras during the winter. The Izu Shaboten Zoo is the first zoo to have this, and other zoos now also feature it.[5] Since 2020, videos of the capybara baths have been heavily shared across the internet on websites such as Twitter and YouTube and have gained millions of views.[6]

References
  1. "The Yuzu Bath: A Complete Guide to Japanese Yuzu". Slow Soak. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  2. Mohan, Chander (18 December 2018). "Japanese Traditional 'Yuzu' Bath wards off Winter Cold & Flu". Krishi Jagran. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. "Yuzu - A Magical Onsen Bath". The Yoku Glow. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  4. Emi, Doi (21 December 2016). "Soaking and Seasoning: The Aromatic Pleasures of "Yuzu"". Nippon. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. Murakami, Sakura (4 February 2020). "Olympics and Year of the Rat give starring role to Japan's capybaras". Reuters. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. "Watch: Capybaras Enjoying a Warm-Fruit Bath Is Exactly What We Want This Winter". News 18. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
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