Public Bathhouse Illustrations

Honami Enya, who worked as a receptionist at Kosugiyu, a public bathhouse in Koenji, Tokyo, has continued to illustrate the charm of bathhouses as architectural structures from her unique perspective. Based on this experience, she created "Sento Zukai," a book that accurately and warmly visualizes everything from the structure of the bathing area and the mechanics of its facilities to the flow of movement and the detailed designs, all through hand-drawn illustrations.

The precision of architectural drawings and the keen observational eye cultivated through daily work at the bathhouse intersect, bringing the interior of the sento to life in three dimensions. The mechanisms and innovations beyond the steam are organized, allowing readers to truly appreciate how meticulously designed these spaces are and how they have supported people's lives.

Beyond its captivating explanations, the book also holds high value as an archive documenting a disappearing urban landscape. It is a book that quietly resonates with anyone who loves public bathhouses, is interested in architecture, or follows urban culture.

[Title] Sento Zukai
[Publisher] Chuo Koron Shinsha
[Publication Date] February 25, 2019 (First Edition)
[Page Count] 128 pages
[Size] Approx. 21 x 15 x 1.3 cm, 0.25 kg
[Format] Softcover
[Title Reading] SENTO ZUKAI
[Author/Editor] Honami Enya (えんや ほなみ) / Author
[Printing] Dai Nippon Printing
[ISBN] 978-4-12-005169-2
[Condition] Used 【5】Good (Cover: slight dirt, slight water damage on bottom edge)
[Accessories] Obi
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Honami Enya

After working at an architectural design office and then at "Kosugiyu," a public bathhouse in Koenji, she became active as an artist.

She gained widespread attention by posting her "Sento Zukai" series on social media, in which she illustrates the internal structure of public bathhouses using isometric projection, an architectural drawing method, and transparent watercolors. After publishing a book compiling this series with Chuo Koron Shinsha, she expanded her theme beyond public bathhouses to create illustrated works of other buildings such as restaurants, galleries, and tea rooms.

She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including TBS "Jounetsu Tairiku" and NHK "Jinsei Design U-29," and in 2022, a drama based on her life, "Yuagari Sketch," was broadcast. Her books include "Sento Zukai" and "Yuagari Mitai ni, Hotto Shite." Her preferred bath water temperature is 43 degrees Celsius.

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