Many people never truly realize how differences in culture can effect the way we view or use certain everyday items. A bathtub, for instance, is a part of everyday life, used to maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene. In other cultures, however, a bathtub can be perceived as much more than just a bathroom fixture used to aid in the cleaning process. Soaking tubs, popular in Eastern cultures, actually have a very rich background, steeped in ritual as well as functional purpose. Japanese soaking tubs, are a prime example of the various differences between the symbolism and meaning behind the bathing process.
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