01x02 - The Thermae Architect Who Leapt Through Time

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INARI BATHHOUSE

128 A.D. in Rome.

Many Roman provinces

were acquired during the reign of
Emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan.

Rome expanded their territory to
an unprecedented degree

and reached new heights of prosperity.

With the enthronement of
the new emperor, Hadrian,

the period was soon described
as "Pax Romana,"

named after the goddess Pax,
who represented peace and order.

Due to the prosperous era,

the architecture industry became
very competitive.

Among them, is one field
that deserves a special mention.

That is… the thermae.

The doors were open to everyone
from sl*ves to emperors,

and everyone enjoyed their baths.

Romans began to yearn for
newer styles of thermae,

and architects competed
with their intelligence.

This story

is a record of a thermae in ancient Rome,
that unfolds and progresses

due to a strange occurrence experienced by
one thermae architect.

Why is this proposal being denied?

I'll be straightforward with you, Lucius.

It's unfortunate,
but your ideas are old-fashioned.

What?

These types of public bathhouses

were popular 100 years ago.

That's why I purposely chose this design.

I know that Rome's wealth
offers exuberant possibilities.

But I'm trying to recreate

the good old days that this
society has forgotten about!

Just because you feel that way,
doesn't mean that

the rest of the citizens
share your opinion.

Look.

Ever since Hadrian became the emperor,

many innovative buildings have been built.

The Emperor himself

is a wonderful architect who
reconstructed the Acropolis.

If you build something random that
clashes with current trends,

it could be the end of your career.

Something random?

I went to Athens,

and mastered the highest
architectural techniques,

but you're saying that my plans
are "random"?

That's not what I said.

But I won't be able to use your plan
at my place.

You better not regret letting me go.

Damn it. You better remember that.

Why can't he understand my ideas?

It's true that Rome has never been
this prosperous before.

All around town,

there are high apartment buildings,
reaching for the sky.

There are wide varieties of races
mingling with each other.

Just how far have the borders of
the Roman Empire expanded to?

Darling. Finish up your work,
and let's go to bed.

Livia, I'm working on something important.

Go to bed first.

I ignored my wife
to work on this layout design,

but this is just trash.

Or so I was told.

Please give me one.

Here you go.

It looks delicious. Thank you.

Is that…

Hey, Lucius.

-Marcus.
-Why the long face?

I've been thinking.

Did you have another fight with your wife?

Actually, I just lost my job…

That's not good.

Then go to a different office.

I don't have a place
in this industry anymore, Marcus.

Don't be so negative.

I'm sure there are places
that will hire you.

At times like this,
we should go take a bath

and get refreshed! Right?

All right! We're here.

There are over 1000 bathhouses
just within this town.

Even though Romans love to bathe,

building another ordinary bath
in this situation

won't interest anyone.

Don't just stand there.

Hurry up.

The grilled chicken shop owner
is going to be a father of three.

No way!

All right, let's go in.

Oh, Lucius. Don't forget to hire the guard
to watch our clothes.

Here you go.

Work up a good sweat.

Look at all this grime.

This bathhouse is always so noisy.

Who wants a waxing?

Over here. I'd like a waxing.

Okay.

The Roman bathhouses are very well made.

The ceiling is specially designed,
so that the steam

from the bath would roll down
as water droplets.

I can feel the architect's love
for the bath through this design.

Start with the tepidarium,

then move onto the calidarium,

and cool down at the frigidarium.

What an excellent way to enjoy a bath.

What kind of bathhouses
will interest people

who are used to this style of bathing?

Are there any good ideas?

Nothing is coming to mind.

We have so many provinces now.

If there was even one province
that focused on the bathing culture…

Then it might provide me with an idea…

What? What is that?

Let's see how this is constructed.

What is this suction force?

Ouch!

What is this place?

Where… am I?

It's Mount Vesuvius of Pompeii.

It's amazing.

Hey there, Mr. Foreigner.

Were you under the water all this time?

His face is flat!

He's not a Roman!

This is a problem.
He doesn't understand us.

Did he come with anyone?

This must be a public bath for the sl*ves.

The bath water from that drain,

is flowing to this bath,

being used by these flat-faced sl*ves.

I see.

Hey, Mr. Foreigner.

You've been in the hot water for too long,

so you should step out.

Yes. Step outside.

Outside. Okay?

I guess they're saying,

"This is not a bath for the Romans.
Please get out."

That makes sense.

Because this is the only place
where sl*ves can relax.

There are lots of things that
appears to be advanced and civilized.

It's made of materials
I've never seen before.

What a beautiful yellow color.

Are baths in Japan that unusual?

If you want to take that back
as a souvenir,

I can ask the facility.

What is this man saying
with a smile on his face?

The world famous Roman

can't even make a pail like that?

He's most likely looking down on me.

The owner here is my childhood friend.

So I'm sure he'll let you
take home one pail.

What?

-Hello.
-Welcome.

You're always full of energy.

It's so hot, isn't it?

-Hey.
-What? You're out already?

What?

A large full-length wall mirror?

What is this advanced level
of civilization?

And what is that? A notice for events?

There is a craftsman with these
types of skills?

T-This is where the clothes are placed?

This is something we can
reproduce with our skills.

What? This is creating wind?

How is it constructed?

These sl*ves are full of surprises.

This sl*ve bath will be useful!

If I put this idea into shape,

it will appeal to the Roman citizens

who are searching for something
new and innovative.

What's wrong?

Did you lose your clothes?

Can I bring my friend?

I have no idea where your clothes are.

This foreigner says that
he can't find his clothes.

-Do you know anything about it?
-No.

All I did, was ask if I can
bring a friend along.

But they seem to be flustered.

Are they worried because they don't
want us to copy their style of bathhouses?

This sure is a problem.

I just replaced my husband at this post,
so I have no idea.

My husband went to play the slot machines.

It's too bad…

I understand that these flat-faced people

cherish their bathing culture.

But now that they're
part of the Roman Empire,

they must understand that the Romans

have the right to take in their culture.

What?

You can't go out naked!

Young man! Wait.

Stay there. I'll go look for it.

Holler at me all you want, you sl*ves.

I need to have Marcus take a look
at this place.

I need to make a move
before anyone finds out about this place,

so that I can make that office

regret their decision of letting me go!

Is this a shade to block out the sun?

I'll take this idea too.

Strike the iron while it's hot.

Oh my. What is he doing?

Young man, just trust me
and come back inside.

What's wrong?

It's a smell I've never
breathed in before.

This town in Rome was
invaded in an instant…

No, that's impossible.

Then it must mean that
something has happened to me…

I bet he had lots of other belongings
aside from his clothes.

Probably.

Look how depressed he looks. How sad.

What happened?

I feel sick all of a sudden.

Young man.

Here you go.

My treat.

You have to drink this

when you visit a bathhouse in Japan.

Delicious!

He drank it first,
so it shouldn't be poisoned.

Sorry about that,

I forgot to remove the lid.

Hold on.

Here you go.

Drink that, and you'll feel refreshed.

That's right.

I should start by quenching my thirst.

It's delicious!

And it's cold and sweet!

It tastes as if

sweet fruit juice was added to milk.

This tastes otherworldly.

You liked it, huh?
Do you want another one?

This sweet flavor makes me feel
as if I'm in a dream.

I hope that made you feel a little better.

Lucius!

Are you okay?

You sunk to the bottom of the bath.

What?

Where are those flat-faced sl*ves?

What are you talking about?

Drink some water.

I guess that was a dream…

FRUIT MILK

A WHILE LATER

So I just place my clothes in here?

The guard will be watching over it,

so you can be at ease.

Oh, these are the notices
for the shows this week.

How elegant.

Mount Vesuvius has the Gulf of Naples,

and the Gulf of Naples has pine trees.

Hey, don't cut in line.

Hey, I was here first.

This is cow milk with fruit juice.

Only one bottle per person, please.

It's delicious!

You were so depressed after
losing your job,

but now you're the most popular
architect in Rome.

What on earth happened to you?

I feel bad towards Marcus,

but I don't think I can explain
what I experienced.

And there is something else
I still can't understand…

Lucius…

We must procure another cow,
or else we won't have enough milk.

Okay. I'll arrange it.

But that artwork is amazing.

As for this artwork, it's better than
what I saw in that other world.

But…

this bottle that I brought back
from that world,

is shaped so perfectly.

Compared to this,

even the most skilled craftsman here
can't do any better than that.

You know…

it's so hot today,
and it's also hot inside the thermae.

If only this was cooler.

I'm trying to keep it cool,
by using the groundwater.

In order to prevent spills
during delivery,

I made a lid by
layering two papyrus sheets together.

Oh no, my finger went inside.

I can only peel off the first layer.

That man used a small tool that time…

and lifted that lid so easily…

Those flat-faced people…

I'm afraid I have many things

that I must yet learn from them.

It went "pop".

Oh by the way, Lucius,

a big hole was found in that bath
you drowned in last time.

So they're going to demolish it.

What?

What's wrong?

I have to go back one more time
to at least find out

how that thing went "pop".

Where are you going?

Lucius.

Lucius!

Thermae Romae. The Hot Water Pilgrimage.

In search for new inspiration,
author Ms. Mari Yamazaki,

embarked on a journey to rediscover
Japan's bathing culture.

-Nice to meet you.
-Likewise.

Do you know how long this
hot spring has been flowing here?

I'm guessing it's been a very long time.

-It's before the Roman Empire.
-Before the Roman Empire?

The water flows from
bedrock that is 5000 years old.

-5000 years ago?
-Yes.

-From the dawn of civilization.
-Yes.

What is this, to begin with?

There are seven water troughs there.

This is a natural hot spring,

but it's about 52 degrees Celsius.

-52 degrees?
-It's too hot to go in.

By letting it flow through those troughs,

the air lowers the temperature
of the water.

-I see.
-Then it's circulated to various pools.

That's how it's done.

This hot spring

is supplied by the snow that has
melted at Mount Shirane.

How long do you think that takes?

Well, it travels through the bedrock
as it's filtered…

-How long is it?
-The water here is from 30 years ago.

-30 years ago?
-Yes.

It's similar to how stars are

tens of thousands of light years away.

-Indeed.
-What was I doing 30 years ago?

I was a poor student in Italy.

-This water is from that time?
-Yes.

This is created solely by using the energy
generated on earth.

Yes, it's all natural.

Hot springs are one of Earth's blessings.

We visited a natural hot spring
where we can experience that.

KUSATSU ONSEN SAINOKAWARA PARK

-Sainokawara hot spring?
-Yes.

-This is another hot spring?
-Yes.

This may look like a lake,
but it's a hot spring.

-A hot spring lake?
-Yes.

Yes, everything is a hot spring.
Please touch it.

It's so warm.

-It feels good, right?
-Yes.

This is wonderful.

Kusatsu has over 100 natural hot springs.

-100?
-Yes.

You saw the Yubatake hot spring,

and the Sainokawara hot spring.

The other famous spot is

Shirahata hot spring.

The water coats your skin.

There's also a place called
Bandai hot spring.

It's the largest hot spring in Kusatsu.

-Out of the 100 locations, right?
-Yes.

It's a well-known spot.

It's amazing.

All of these are hot springs.

I want to sit right there
and meditate under the water.

Thermae Memoria.

Ms. Yamazaki sketched
a memorable moment from this trip.

I drew a scene where Lucius
is deep in thought

while staring at the hot spring waterfall.

I've seen many natural hot springs
all over the world,

but this one is very Japanese.

It really matches
the cultural climate of Japan.

I think that's Kusatsu's charm.

Thermae Romae. The Hot Water Pilgrimage.

Ms. Yamazaki's journey will continue,
as she searches for more hot springs.