01x09 - Lucius Meets a Fellow Architect in Japan

[bunniefuu]

It was a request from the client.

And,

you're making lots of baths these days
that are gaining lots of attention.

Augustales Society.

A society of emancipated sl*ves
who have built a fortune.

I don't like the nouveau-riche.

Don't be so cold.

They're not bad people. Okay?

I'm not sure
if I'll accept this job, Marcus.

This job pays very well.

We have older ones and subcontractors
working at our workshop.

So it's hard to make ends meet.

I need you in order to accept this job.

I feel bad for saying this

but think of it
as helping out your friend.

Please!

Hello.

I'm a mason, and he's a thermae architect.

Your master requested to see us.

Wait there.

"This is where

Augustales provided food for the poor."

Thank you.

This is a big help.

It's the charity work done by Augustales.

Their popularity will rise
by providing food for the poor.

They used to be sl*ves,

so they must understand
the feelings of the poor.

Come in. Master is waiting.

How… gaudy.

Hey, I've been waiting.

You guys are the emperor's
personal mason and thermae architect?

That's right.

You have a wonderful house.

Right?

-This vase here--
-Please lead me to the bathhouse.

This way.

This is enough space, right?

We can build a huge bathhouse here!

I mapped out my vision here.

I'm imagining Domus Aurea.

A dazzling space,
which will seem otherworldly.

I want you to build a bathhouse

the blessings from god with my whole body.

As for the statue of the goddess,

I want her to have large breasts and butt,
like you've never seen before.

Large breasts, huh?

Full and voluptuous, right?

That's right! Full, voluptuous and plump!

Once it's completed…

He's asking me to build
such an embarrassing bathhouse?

-I'm sorry, but I can't--
-Can't refuse, right?

Right, Lucius?

But…

I'm begging you, Lucius.
Please accept this job.

Fine.

Two servings of wine. Thanks for waiting.

I don't think I can build a bathhouse
that will satisfy that owner.

I'm sorry.

I'm not looking forward to sculpting
large breasts either.

But since we agreed to do it already,

I will do the best I can

in order to help out your workshop.

Thanks for saying that.

I'm really sorry.

A golden bath

within this luscious greenery…

I'm really happy
that you accepted this job.

Because I heard that

all the bathhouses you make
are guaranteed to become popular.

Will the people be happy

with a golden bathhouse?

I would never step into a bathhouse
that doesn't have a good atmosphere.

Mr. Lucius.

Your way of thinking is being
affected by the emperor.

That's why you're unable to understand
the feelings of the citizens.

How many of the citizens
do you think really understand

the emperor's sophisticated
way of thinking?

I know and understand
what it's like to be in the lower class.

They find joy in simple things

that are easy to understand.

By the way,

I heard that Emperor Hadrian's
health isn't doing so well…

Emperor Hadrian is doing very well.

This is just a suggestion…

but after Emperor Hadrian passes away,
would you be interested

in becoming an exclusive
thermae architect for Augustales?

I'll pay double of what the emperor pays.

I…

take great pride
in working for Rome and the emperor.

I apologize.

I will never leave the emperor.

Wait. That's the…

TSUKIMI HOT SPRING IS UNDER RENOVATION
I LOVE YOUTOPIA - SUPER ROMAN SPA

The shabby Tsukimi Hot Spring Inn

will be completely renewed
into something much more modern.

Then, it will make me
rich and happy. That's my plan!

Come here.

These koi are so cute.

Especially Marilyn,
who's worth 2.8 million yen.

-Come here.
-Um…

This area will become the ground
for the Roman bath,

so this pond will need
to be reclaimed, right?

Of course I won't reclaim this pond.

That's ridiculous.

What? But there were no koi
in ancient Rome…

They didn't have these types
of ponds either.

It doesn't matter if this
existed back then or not.

But the concept of this bathhouse

is a realistic portrayal
of ancient Rome, right?

Stop it. Just stay quiet.

Ancient Rome equals extravagance!

Gold and sparkly things!

It's completely acceptable to have
these koi here too!

Why are you getting him upset?

Look at this.

The extravagant highlight of our bathhouse

is this right here!

And…

the voluptuous statues of Venus.

And the koi.

This is my idea of the Roman bath.

Stop talking nonsense,

and please get to work.

I'll be off now.

Hey, Yoshida.

I feel bad for bringing along
a Japanese building specialist like you.

But you know that our company
is going through a rough patch, right?

Yes.

But…

I heard that he wanted to build
an authentic Roman bath.

So I did a lot of research.

I never would have imagined that
he wanted to build something like this.

Let's not think too much about it.

Don't forget that you're just an employee.

I know.

Let's wrap things up. You should go home.

-I'll be off.
-Okay.

Their main attraction is
the "Roman fantasy spa

that portrays the world of ancient Rome."

If someone from ancient Rome saw this,
they would definitely cry.

I don't think this will work.

The three-million-yen koi!

This is about 30,000 yen worth of damage!

What's with that foreigner?

Rome. Is this a copy of the Roman bath?

Did you say Rome right now?

Finally…

the time has finally come!

Just as I thought,

this place has influences
from the Roman Empire!

My brother!

I understand! I will help you out!

I'll bring you some clothes.

They made sure to hire
a foreign architect, huh?

But why didn't he tell us about it?

This design is very well made, but…

Is he saying that this isn't good at all?

Do you even understand the Roman
culture of bathhouses to begin with?

I don't understand what you're saying.

This is the basic architecture
of the Roman bathhouse.

That's a bathhouse design
that uses solar heating.

Wow!

He drew this in no time!

This guy is a professional after all.

This is identical to the Roman bathhouses
that I had researched.

What are these tasteless,
and gaudy sculptures of Venus?

These are the appropriate
sculptures for bathhouses.

Male gods should be
placed near the baths as well. Next!

This is the bathing area

and this is the changing area.

Here onward, is the hallway
that leads to the kitchen…

This person is very passionate.

It almost feels like

he really came from ancient Rome.

The tiles on the floor should be mosaic.
Do you understand?

I see. Mosaic tiles, right?

The ceiling must be like this.

I see, the ceilings are arched.

This is…

this is becoming really fun!

I don't know why,

but when I'm with this person,

I can see the bathhouses in ancient Rome

unfold in front of my eyes.

Sorry to make you wait, Sir.

Lights are only available
in the other construction areas…

Sir.

How beautiful.

The moon in your world is very beautiful.

It feels like Goddess Diana will appear.

I don't know what he's saying…

but the moon is beautiful tonight.

I came up with a good idea.

Flat-faced architect,

come with me!

It seems like he thought of something.

This will be the wall of the bathhouse.

We will install a window here
that can open and close.

I think I understand
what he's trying to say.

The beautiful moon that can be seen

from this bathhouse should be offered
to Goddess Diana, don't you agree?

What is this large object?

That's…

You're going to place this gaudy tub

in Goddess Diana's bathhouse
with the view of the sacred moonlight?

He seems to be mad. I should explain.

Wait a minute.

I hope this will help him understand…

that I didn't choose this.

MONEY

My brother.

Sir!

I guess it's the same everywhere.

Create steps like this

on the borders of the bathtub,
so that people can sit down.

You understand, right? It's like a bench.

Oh, that makes it possible to sit down.

This design will make it easier
for the elderly to use the bath.

I think that's a good idea, Sir.

There's only one problem left.

What should we do with this?

This has such a strong presence.

Right, Sir?

Kinkaku-ji!

There's an air of modesty to it, without
the gold throwing its weight around.

But it has a luxurious tone and shine
that no other color can replicate.

But a bath in ancient Rome
definitely won't

blend well with
the traditional beauty of Japan.

Is he talking about this
gold building that looks like a temple?

I see. Although it's gold,
if it has an indication

of a sacred presence,

it will provide an air
of dignified beauty.

An indication of a sacred presence.

This is what I'm trying to explain.

Diana?

Diana is the Goddess of
the moon and the hunt.

If you place her on top of the bathtub,

I think the golden splendor
will look very divine.

Basically, he's telling me to
combine this statue of Goddess Diana,

with the bathtub?

Yeah, that's a great idea. But…

I wonder how mad that old man will get,

if I use this as part of the decoration?

This is no good!

Sir, are you okay?
I'll go get some hot coffee.

I want to wash my face somewhere.

What was that sound?

It sounded like something fell
into the pond.

Oh? Sir, where are you?

Where did he go?

Maybe he left
because it's morning already.

I'm sure that old man

will never approve of this.

But I'm still going to do it!

I'm going to go through with this!

I LOVE YOUTOPIA
SUPER ROMAN SPA

To tell you the truth,
I liked the former Tsukimi bath,

so I was pretty sure I would never come
to this western-style bathhouse.

I thought a Roman-style bathhouse

would be bright and disorderly.

But when I actually came here,
it's so nice.

This is comfortable in its own unique way.

I agree.

Although it's western, and extravagant,

there's an air of
simplicity to it as well.

Yeah, and it's especially excellent

at this time of the day.

It still has the elegant atmosphere
of the Tsukimi bath.

The western goddess
is bathed in moonlight as well.

It's absolutely beautiful.

It almost resembles the beauty
of Kinkaku-ji.

Young man.

You created something really amazing.
Thank you.

Thanks to this Roman-style bath,

I'm being featured
on so many TV shows and magazines.

I'm so glad.

It's all thanks to you, Sir!

I will work even harder so that I can
become a wonderful architect like you.

The Augustales bathhouse is a hot topic.

But why does it open at sunset?

You'll see when you go inside.

At first glance it seems like
a normal bathhouse, if not a little old.

-Now, now…
-It's old-fashioned and plain.

And if it only opens in the evening,

we can't exercise either.

There isn't anything special
about the bathroom either.

If anything,

it's unnaturally dark here.

It's almost time.

Keep your eyes on that door.

Well? Isn't it wonderful?

That contemplative back view is very nice.

It makes you wish she would look back.

And that mysterious carving
on the gold tub,

adds a mystical touch.

You were right,

Mr. Lucius.

No matter how large the gold is,
it doesn't come close

to the divine glow
that's emitted from a small nugget.

Gold is truly the color of the gods.

I understand why the emperor
doesn't want to let you go.

Thank you.

But I was only able to realize
the true value of gold,

because of the beautiful moonlight
in the world of the flat-faced people,

and that shirt with the golden temple.

I wonder if that flat-faced architect
is working hard right now…

Thermae Romae. The Hot Water Pilgrimage.

Author Ms. Mari Yamazaki,

embarked on a journey to rediscover
Japan's bathing culture.

EPISODE NINE - KAISEKI CUISINE

Enjoying the cuisine, is one of
the highlights at the hot spring inn.

Today,

we will enjoy the kaiseki cuisine
at Hoshi Onsen.

Whenever I stay at these inns,

there are delicious meals waiting for me
after relaxing in the hot spring.

I think

it’s the perfect way to spoil myself.

I'll… start with these sashimi.

As for the sashimi, that red fish

is a type of rainbow trout

called ginhikari ,
and it’s a local specialty.

I'll try it.

I believe it has a very moist texture.

-It's delicious.
-Thank you.

It has a mild flavor.

As for the hot pot, we use a brand of pork

called the Josyu Mugibuta.

Oh, I see.

In foreign countries,

it’s rare to cook your own food
like this as you eat.

-I see.
-I’m sure everyone will enjoy this.

I see.

Let's try it.

-It's so soft.
-Yes, isn't it?

Yes.

It's delicious.

I can tell right away that it's good pork.

I'm glad.

What is this?

That is called okkirikomi .

What's an okkirikomi ?

It’s similar to udon .
It’s a local Gunma specialty.

That's why we added this dish.

I'll try it.

It warms me up.

Yes.

All of the dishes have
a gentle flavor to it.

This is called the "char kotsuzake ."

-Char kotsuzake ?
-That's right.

The char is grilled

and hot Japanese sake is poured over it.

Oh, you're right.

-Wow, the char is steeped in sake!
-It's grilled.

-May I try it?
-Yes, please.

Wow. This is addicting.

It’s a soup-style sake.

That's right.

-It's very smooth.
-This char makes excellent stock.

Yes.

It's wonderful.

Thermae Memoria.

Ms. Mari Yamazaki

sketched a memorable moment
from this trip.

THIS IS THE BEST PART OF
STAYING AT A HOT SPRING INN

This drawing describes how
I was taken over by Lucius.

I can enjoy the hot spring,
eat delicious food,

and let go of all the fatigue and troubles

that tend to build up day by day.

So that I can renew myself
and start afresh.

Right now, I am realizing the true value

of the hot spring and the hot spring inn.

What kind of adventure
awaits us next time?

Ms. Yamazaki's journey will continue.