The history of 'bidet' from France which became the source of washlets

TOTO's bidet is now common in Japanese families, but originated in French " bidet ". French bidet was transmitted to the United States, but popularity did not come out and spread widely by being transmitted from the United States to Japan, but why has traced such a history is written by Maria Teresa Hart .

Why Do not Americans Use Bidets? - The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/03/the-bidets-revival/555770/

When staying in a European inn, some people may have been perplexed as "two toilet bowls ..." in the bathroom. This is called " bidet ", which is a tool for washing the lower body including the feet.

The bidet was born in France in the 1600s and was kept in the bedroom and dressing room at that time as an item to use after the bedroom toilet. The initial bidet was like a four-legged wooden washbowl, it was like a decorated ottoman . The lid of the washbasin is also made of wood, and it seems that leather was often used for sitting part.

The name "bidet" derives from the French "pony". There are also reasons that it seemed to be like when the bidet straddles the horse, but it is also said that the nobility often used bidet after horseback riding is the reason. At that time, the task of carrying water was very painful, but people in the upper class seemed to wash the lower body regularly using bidet.

In the painting by Louis Leopold Boiie , the state of the woman using the bidding at that time is drawn. Marie Antoinette was executed guillotine after sending an impassable life, but he says that he was allowed to use the bidet even when he was infected.

In the 17th century, a bidet equipped with a handle for sending out water was used, and in the 18th century the bidet which was in the bedroom moved to the bathroom. At this time, a bidet of the form "a small faucet with a faucet attached to one side" that was used in modern day was born. Although it was originally used only in the upper class of France, it is gradually spreading to other classes, Western European countries, Latin America, the Middle East.

However, in the US bidet was not used much. This is related to the situation when Americans first saw bidet. Americans first saw bidding during World War II, when soldiers staying in Europe saw a prostitute using a bidet when visiting a brothel It is said that it was first. Because bidet and sex work have been linked, even after the soldiers returned to the country, it is believed that bidet did not spread much in the United States.

Also, from the time before World War II the fact that vaginal irrigation was thought of as a method of contraception also leads to linking bidet, sexual activity or scandal. Norman Haire, then doctor, said that "the appearance of bidet is a symbol of sin". In addition to this, as menstruation was still considered as "dirty", bidet tended to be avoided as evoking three of "women's sexuality" "unwanted pregnancy" "menstruation" .

by Tofros.com

In 1964, the American Bidet Company thought to create a better image by using a bidet in combination with a toilet and using a spray function. Originally Arnold Cohen, founder of the American Bidet Company, developed a device for his father, looking at the research results that "washing with bidet helps treat rashes, hemorrhoids, inflammation". Mr. Cohen thought of changing the habit of "using toilet paper" proposed to install a bidet called Sitzbath in the toilet, but "Advertisement was almost impossible task".

However, there was a person who listened to Cohen's message. The representative of Nichimen in Japan will meet with Mr. Cohen and eventually create Sitzbath of its own design. And in the 1980s TOTO devised "Washlet" which is a hybrid of bidet and toilet, and the bidet will be accepted into Japanese family. Washlet made from "technology" and "cleanliness" opened up the future of bidet, Cohen's Sitzbath became the father of washlet. However, TOTO's imported toilet with washlette imported to the United States is relatively expensive with the most basic model being $ 499 (approx. 56,000 yen), and when it was introduced at Google headquarters it was said that it was called "space toilet" about. The toilet with washlette is like a symbol of the top class in society, "Washlet made the bidet again for the upper class," Teresa Hart wrote.

by WikiImages

Meanwhile, in the United States, "wet wipes" of the type that can be sent to the toilet became popular. Wet wipe is a baby's ass wiping item, replacing bidet. Originally devised instead of toilet paper, in modern times it is also used instead of handbaking in the case of a beekeew. A wet wipe that grew into an industry of 2.2 billion dollars (about 248 billion dollars) is said to be "Big Wipes" "Dude Wipes" in response to the impression of bidet's "what women use" against men before sexual activity Some suggest refreshing.

However, there is a drawback that when wet wipe is flushed to the toilet, it combines with other fat-containing substances to enlarge and damage the sewer system. This repair cost is enormous, and in London there are cases that required about 67 million yen to repair one damage. For this reason, a lawsuit arises over the phrase "can flow", and in May 2015 the wording "can be drained" from certain products was removed.

And newly there is an item called "Tushy" that can add a washlet function to the existing toilet and can be detached. Tushy is 69 dollars (about 7000 yen) and the point is cheap. As Cohen managed to sell Sitzbath somehow since the circumstances changed significantly, Tushy simply launched a message "for the puppy" without fighting the image of "remembering sexual acts" It is said that it is.

Bidet Attachments by TUSHY | For People Who Poop
https://hellotushy.com/