―― Following our visit to Enya’s beloved Kinsenyu, we stopped by Matsunoyu on Waseda-dori near the west gate of Waseda Campus. Enya visited this sento only once during her time as a student, but there’s a Waseda-esque reason for this.
Enya
Nishiwaseda Campus was like a second home to me, and for this reason, I felt comfortable walking around in my pajamas without makeup. On the other hand, you have to put on makeup when you go to Waseda Campus and Toyama Campus. The students there are full of self-assurance, and I didn’t feel very comfortable being there. That’s why I only visited Matsunoyu once, when, by chance, I had an errand at Waseda Campus.
But recently friends have said positive things about Matsunoyu’s cold baths, so I’ve been wanting to come back.
―― Students at Nishiwaseda Campus feel their campus is inferior to Waseda Campus, which is where Matsunoyu sento is located. Upon entering the bathroom, we are greeted by a wall mosaic painting of red-crowned cranes.
This used to be a tile painting of red algae, but the tile paintings changed 23 years when the sento was renovated. So why did they go with red-crowned cranes? Surprisingly, the owner told us there wasn’t a particular reason. In fact, it was the renovator’s recommendation.
Enya
You don’t find many sento owners who speak openly and passionately. Even if they have strong predilections, they tend to be a bit socially awkward and don’t share them.
Personally, I have a stronger affinity for the “awkward” sento than those designed to be expressive. That’s why I’m very insistent on talking with owners when I visit.
―― Many things stand out at Matsunoyu. Among these, what stood out to Enya was a small lever for a water faucet.
Enya
This kind of push lever for faucets is commonplace in Kansai, but I rarely see them in Kanto. Look, it has a ball-shaped knob! That’s the first time I’ve seen this!
―― In the men’s bathing area, Enya fixed her attention on utaseyu, streams of water that cascade onto bathers’ backs. Upon first glance, it looked like typical utaseyu, but for some reason they were arranged to face each other.
Enya
This utaseyu has a lot of character. It’s these things and other clumsy aspects that stick out and make this sento so lovely. If I were to create an illustration, I would want to depict this “clumsiness,” giving particular attention to this utaseyu.
―― Although the owner of Matsunoyu, a “clumsy” sento with 70 years of history, isn’t very talkative, the sento appears to have a plethora of stories yet to be told.
Information
■Matsunoyu ※Currently closed
Address: 1-4-12 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku
Access: 5-minute walk from Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
Tel: 03-3203-1655
Hours: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Days Closed: Mondays
