I've been researching how ancient civilizations cleaned their butts after pooping (I'm writing a book!) and y'all, the Ancient Greeks were SUPER punk rock. They used bits of broken ceramic like a scoop (don't worry - the edges were smoothed out) and sometimes THE BITS OF POTTERY WERE INSCRIBED WITH THE NAMES OF THEIR ENEMIES.
They literally wiped their butts with their enemies' names. I am in awe.
@everywhereist
So sort of a dual-purpose ceramics function! Very efficient to think of that.
Are you aware of the medieval Japanese thing where they used balls of clay? I can provide info if needed.
@AndyLowry Hadn't seen that one!
@everywhereist
In the first half of the 13th century, the Soto Zen master Dōgen wrote instructions on bathing and cleanliness for his monks. The text is in chapter 7 of his masterwork Shobogenzo. He's very specific about how many balls to prepare and use. A good free translation can be had here if you'd like to look at it:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pq2MCIiUnLUZepRE0OLs1ptkCCWziq6c/view
That translation is broken into four volumes, and this first volume contains fascicle 7, which starts on page 47.
@everywhereist @AndyLowry Me too. This is the best shitpost i've seen on Mastodon.
@AndyLowry @everywhereist those instructions are very detailed!
@gowin @everywhereist
There's a point in there where the math doesn't add up and there would be leftover clay balls. This strikes me as funny, given his overall OCD style approach to detail. Something of a peculiar fellow!
@AndyLowry @everywhereist I read that part, and the translator was wondering about it, too.
@AndyLowry I love this website.