Technology is in the can
I am so excited to be in Japan. We never planned to come here since we didn’t think we’d have the means–I probably still don’t have the means but I’m here anyway.
I find myself fascinated by everything here. When we arrived at the airport I kept WD waiting while I amused myself with the high-tech hand-dryer.
WD got revenge on me later when I could not seem to get her out of the bathroom at our hotel. We wanted to get out and wander the neighborhood as soon as we dropped our bags but all I heard were giggles and screams of laughter coming through the bathroom door. “What the hell are you doing in there? Let’s go!” Nothing but more laughter.
Only later when I went in myself did I figure out what was going on. The space age toilet has an armrest with a control panel that resembles and airplane cockpit. I was looking for a seatbelt when I saw a button labeled “shower’ amongst all the Japanese writing. I thought “Maybe I can turn on the shower from here to speed up the daily three ‘S’ process?”
This curiosity suddenly vanished when I was hit in the back door by a surprisingly accurate jet of water. I quickly searched for the panic button before the mechanical arm with the scrub brush appeared to finish the job. Having escaped further molestation by the toilet I had time to reflect upon my experience with Japanese technology.
Who designed this ultra-hygienic bathroom of the future and why didn’t they think to include an electronic newspaper or digital TV? How did they design such an accurate stream of water? Are we all built that much alike or were volunteers and precise measurements involved? Did they actually sit around a board room and brainstorm design ideas for a high tech toilet? Were there diagrams shown in the meeting? I assume there were which explains why we don’t have this in the States–once Human Resources got a hold of these diagrams the project would be crushed and the pink slips would rein down on those responsible for such immoral pictures.
Shoot a straight guy in the ass with water and he goes off on a rant–sorry.
I’m not the only one curious about all this. WD was able to report back from the ladies room with this interesting newsreel:
What is that all about? A flushing noise? For modesty or inspiration? Ah, the things we are learning out here.
I leave you with this final picture of the control panel (there were even more options available).
Anyone else taken by all this?
Theresa said:
I’d heard of all the crazy functions of the toilets in Japan, but I love seeing the pictures. The images on the buttons are amusing. I’m not so sure that fancy toilets is where we should all be focusing our creative energy, but what the hey. It’s funny to think that right there in Japan they have such high-tech toilets, and in nearby countries they’re using the good ol’ squat system.
Alex said:
My kind of throne! Hey Happy Belated Birthday Sean. I swear my Internet access had been out since Monday and I could not get to wish you a happy B-day. B-day get it! Iknow that was pretty bad.
When I see the pics of the geisha’s I can’t help thinking of Allan Alda on shore leave…”If I knew you were coming , I’d have baked a cake…”
Later old man. Enjoy.
Alex
Cristina said:
Wow, and I thought the toilets in New Zealand were hi-tech when I first got here.. they had automatic flushing..
That’s NOTHING compared to this!
Gretchen said:
OH my god. I could not stop laughing.
Tracy said:
Yes, yes, yes!!! I ran into this at the Tokyo airport yesterday. I was so amused that I also had to take a picture! The one at the airport also came with instructions for “cleansing the buttocks.” A laugh and a half for sure!