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Progress Public i ay inikako Yatabe Associated Press Writer TOKYO ? Affluence and changing lifestyles seem to be sending another Japanese tradition down the drain ? the public bath. Many would lament the passing of what for generations has been a centerpiece of social activity and a symbol of togetherness in these islands. The latest statistics show that in Tokyo alone, 248 public bath houses have closed down since 1968. WHILE 2,400 remain in the city, a number are hanging on only through side activities such as coin laundries nr thrnucrh tho lovolfv w* longtime customers. And the cause behind their disappearance? rapid growth of modern apartments with private baths ? con- _ tinue to grow. It is part of a trend in which reinforced concrete has put the stamp of anonymity on many of JaDan's cities, and individualism ie taking over increasingly from the old ways of doing things in a group. The sento ? "money bath" in Japanese ? dates back more than six centuries. In earlier days, men and women used the same facility without the barrier of modesty, false or otherwise. Outside influences and changing times hmnilVit a** am/1 1 4?1 mauu^iiv an ciili Li/ iI?Olr| ttJIU UKlfly mixed bathing is found only in a few remote hot springs resorts. THE BATHS provide two huge tubs, one containing hot water and the other, near scalding, to meet individual desires. 'I'hOPO ic o " 1--1 iiiviv ?o a UUUMUC U1C IUDS where taps provide water for actual soaping and washing and rinsing off. This is never done in the tub itself, which is only for soaking and relaxing. Like everything else, the cost of the public bath has gone up. Today ^^ccen^nE Just what ijou've Cannady ( 1231 Hamp Columbia, S s: tubs 'scrub be it costs the equivalent of about 80 cents. Ten years ago, it cost 8 cents. BUT THERE is more to the public bath tradition than just a place to Decome clean. It has been a place where people meet to discuss the day's happenings, gossip about neighbors while scrubbing another's back, and share the feeling of being together that has been important to the Japanese. The density of population in Japan's major urban areas ? 47 million people, or almost 42 percent of the total ? live within a 30 mile radius of TnWvn Ocotro ?.vnjV) V/IJMUU CU1U Nagoys which has helped keep the public bath in business. While Japan's economy has boomed, housing has lagged. Millions still live in tiny houses or r ? ?- clip this j I TWO RIT I SALE!!! | Buy a set of guitar I price and get a sec( S for 25*. Any brand I ad and bring it to C j music store. Offer A I MUS I 732 Saluda Ave. I Five Points clip this ~ I wrmmm????? WlH*? been looking fori opticians ton Street C. 292Q9 I II d9 in Japan apartments without individual baths or sewer connections. IN MOST new housing developments, a private bath is taken for granted. Many Japanese aspire to such a living as soon as they have the means. An ambitious five-year plan calls for 8.6 million new housing units by 1980, miniature in size, astronomical in cost, but modern. But those who still use the public Datn oecause they have no choice are legion, and they can be seen regularly on the streets carrying their pans and towels for the day's bathing. There also are those who do not look lightly on the passing of such institutions. Some have formed bath clubs to encourage the con- | tinuation of what they feel is one of the delights of Japanese life. coupon ? ?1 I i ??????i ? I f I I I ; I strings at retail | nd set just like it I or style. Clip this olumbia's favorite | rv y/-vrv ? ? 2xpiresy/Z3/78. I j C CO., INC. I I 799-6860 j coupon? ? ? ? ?- ? ? 1 I |'thes] IMP ON THE WATER VI Need Extra Money? I Receive up to $80 a month by being on a regular blood plasma program. Call or visit Hyland Laboratories Donor Center 1620 Gervais Street Telephone 254-2280 New Hours: 8-3 Mon.?Fri. ? -J \ Pre-Game Buffet \ ^| \ Saturday, Sept. 16 4:00-6:00 p.m. \e\ \rA \ L> , ,\ \B\ \El\Make sure \ fj \ \W \ 1 you have a \ fjl \ place at the T?p\r""jfL i rt.l n r I I i orn floor otCapstone dorm\ Call 777-8198 \ jM for Reservations. \ fcjj Over 40 different Seafood dinners, jjg| m op# many "All You Can Eat". |g|j ASS Cocktails and Beer available. g|p| IMUDV OPEN LATE AFTER THE GAME jl mil 111 NEW HOURS: Saturdm/