Quote:
Originally Posted by steven
If you really want to get a feel for it, come to Japan.
I think the last statement that Columbine made was important... in fact, in rural Japan disposal of human waste was probably not that much different in the 1980's as it was in the 1600's, believe it or not. What that implies is that the waste was taken from... well the shit-tank, and then put into the fields as a kind of fertilizer.
As for other kinds of smells, remember that you'll often find a "butsudan" inside of houses, and in my experience the older the house, the more elaborate the butsudan usually is. That means that you'll get the smell of incense on certain occasions.
Also, if you have an irori, that has a very particular smell and frankly I couldn't describe it. I would imagine that back in the 1600's they didn't have kerosene heaters... so I think (but honestly have no idea) that an irori would be the main source of heat.
Also, depending on the season certain smells can change. As a general rule, smells are amplified during the summer (which is hot and humid) and maybe a little less poignant during the winter (which is cold and dry... because the moisture freezes).
Another thing to keep in mind is that, even today, rural Japanese often dispose of their trash by burning it. That also means that after the rice harvest in the fall, there is a lot of burning going on, so you get a lot of smoke and haze.
I'm sure there is no end to describing these things about Japanese houses... I imagine that certain things have been the way they've always been while other things have completely changed since the 1600's. Keep in mind that Japan has a culture that is very different from western cultures. On the surface it is very similar, but when you really get down to it there are a bajillion little nuances and characteristics that have nothing to do with western culture. Keep in mind that rewinding the tape 400 years would basically removed any modern western influence making it even more complicated!
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were futons used in those days?