Nothing like a hard drink after a hard day's work.
Aw, come on, have another one.
You there, bring us another round of drinks.
Coming.
Pwah!
So, you ready to spill what you and the wife fought about this time?
I suppose.
-Dear, Lucius. -What is it?
You've been working too hard lately, my love,
why don't the two of us take a little vacation together?
I can't. My schedule is full for the next three months.
Fine! Do whatever you want!
She gave me a shoulder colder than Oculus winds after that.
I told her I'd take her out tomorrow,
so that cheered her up.
Hey, that's great, Lucius.
But if you two kids patched things up, then why you so glum?
I can't waste time on leisure when there is work to be done.
Come on!
A day off is gonna do you good.
Marcus is right. You should take it easy, Lucius.
You know, I bet a woman or two could help you with all that stress.
I don't believe I asked for such a thing.
Hey!
What you think, gorgeous? You want to help my buddy out?
If you don't want her, I'll take her for myself.
No way.
Lucius Modestus.
Huh?
I have urgent business with Lucius Modestus.
Architect of thermae, is Lucius present?
Lucius Modestus, step forward.
Hm?
No need to shout. I am Lucius Modestus.
I see. I have a delivery for you from consul Lepidus.
This parcel, to be precise.
What is this?
A letter from the consul himself.
He believes you can assist him with a very pressing matter at his villa in Campania
and summons you posthaste.
We have prepared a horse for you.
You don't have to leave tonight
but the consul does request that you depart Rome by tomorrow.
-What? -You can consider yourself informed. Bye.
Tomorrow…
You in trouble or something, Lucius? What's up?
Trouble indeed.
Well, my wife… She certainly won't be pleased
when she hears that our plans have changed.
Oh my.
But if the consul himself has summoned me,
then I cannot refuse his request.
For I am a Roman
and Romans must faithfully abide by the laws of the empire
NEXT DAY
Master Lucius Modestus, we've been expecting you.
My name is Regulus and I am a servant of this house.
Its a pleasure to meet you.
The master has been awaiting your arrival. Right this way.
Good tidings, consul.
It is I, Lucius Modestus.
So you're the famed thermae architect I've heard so much about.
Thank you for travelling such a long way to meet with me.
Of course.
Forgive me for summoning you like this
but there is an urgent favor I need to ask of you.
What is it?
I would like you to build a bath outside where I can soak for the rest of my days.
Why outside?
Back when I was still able to stand and move about,
I visited one of the splendid thermae you designed in Rome.
There she is! It's Mount Vesuvius!
What a wonderfully novel idea, to give the bathhouse guests
such a breathtaking view in the form of a painting.
I was deeply impressed.
You honor me.
-Open the shutters and show him, Regulus. -Sir.
Wait, could that be…
The real Mount Vesuvius in all her glory.
I spent the best days of my youth in this villa
gazing out at that mountain.
And now here I am still gazing at her as my time draws near.
I can feel my life is ending,
so I want to live out the rest of my days doing what I love most.
I want to look upon that mountain from the peaceful waters of a bath.
That is my greatest and final wish.
Do you think you can fulfill it, Lucius?
Apologies for the rough terrain but the master insists
that we leave the brush untamed.
Yes, well, it seems the consul's visit to my bathhouse
planted some rather wild ideas in his mind.
What on earth could he be thinking?
There is no such thing as an outdoor thermae.
Let's head past that tree.
There's a clear view of the mountain over there.
Past that tree?
Yes.
Hmm. I see now.
The scenery here is spectacular.
No mere painting could ever do it justice.
No wonder the consul wants this for his bathing area.
Were I building a swimming pool here,
I would simply construct a tub and fill it with water.
But what's to be done about the temperature?
Supplying the water and then heating it as well
would be quite the undertaking.
Based on this villa's locale,
I assume that its water supply comes from the Aqua Augusta, is that correct?
-That's right, it does. -As I thought.
But I'm not sure why that matters. If a water source is what you're looking for,
there's spring right over that way.
What? What the? You've got a natural spring out here?
My, this is quite the substantial water source indeed.
That's it, the water supply problem may be resolved, but what of the temperature?
Hm? This water is warm..
What I've been told is that warm water has been naturally occurring here
ever since Mount Vesuvius erupted 50 years ago.
Suffice to say it's no ordinary water.
After all, there doesn't appear to be any fish that are willing to live there.
Hm.
Master Lucius. What are you doing?
-Don't go in there. It's dangerous. -It seems to be getting hotter.
Is the groundwater somehow rising to the surface?
By the gods, I must find the source of this heat!
Master Lucius!
Well, this is a surprisingly deep spring.
Is it possible the heat is coming from the bottom?
Hm? What happened to the surface?
This water is strangely difficult to see through.
I must find a way to use it in my bath.
Regulus! This water is incredible!
We can even use it without purchasing slaves to heat the…
Uh.
Uh, Regulus?
Hmm?
What are you hideous little satyrs?
Leave this place at once, away with you!
Alright! Everybody get out, shoo, shoo, shoo!
You like making trouble, do you, troublemaker?
This bath is for monkeys only. Didn't you read the sign?
Ah, it's a foreigner.
By the gods, his complexion!
This bath, monkey only. This is monkey bath, you got it?
He must be one of the flat faces.
Get out this. You go people bath now, okay?
I've done it!
Huh?
I've returned to that advanced civilization once again.
But how in Jupiter's kingdom did this happen?
I suppose the main event that preceded it was that
I slipped and fell into the spring.
Is it possible that I am able to enter this world by going underwater?
Alright, come on. Just follow me and I'll take you over to the human bath.
-Funny stuff. -Good times.
It seems the flat-faced folk bathe in this area as well.
You okay?
So that bath over there must be designated for those simian looking creatures.
Outdoor baths would be the height of novelty and luxury in Rome
and yet here, they appear to be as commonplace as lacing one's sandals.
Even the animals here are accustomed to such advanced comforts.
How can this be?
Focus, Modestus, this is no time to ponder.
I must absorb as many of these bathing practices
as I can before I am whisked back to Rome.
Hey you, where do you think you're going?
You need clothes. You gotta cover up your business.
Business?
Oh, geez. Just wait here a second, I'll find you some.
Hmm.
Okay, I'm gonna let you borrow this but you better return it to me.
Oh boy. This is worse than I thought.
You need help getting dressed?
What a peculiar development.
It seems this flat-faced fellow is unaccustomed to nudity.
But how did he acquire such luxurious linens to fashion this toga?
I'm sure it'll feel wonderful on my hot body.
Oh, man.
Hey! What are you doing? Stop!
A flat-faced tribe
whose pursuit of pleasure rivals even that of the Romans.
It is my duty to educate myself on their culture and bring it back to the empire!
Oh, check out this Greek statue. Think we ought to call him David?
You can try.
I can't tell if he's just a tourist or if he escaped an art museum.
Such a picturesque fountain of rejuvenation tucked away in the mountains.
The aesthetics of this place would put Polyclitis himself to shame.
And their sense of freedom, I feel, is overwhelming.
Surely this feeling cannot be replicated in a manmade thermae surrounded by walls.
At first glance, I confess that as a man of Rome,
I found these people rather vulgar.
But I cannot look down on them.
Nor can I remain clothed here for one more instant.
Oh, look, he's getting in.
Careful, big guy, looking a little wobbly there.
Hmm.
What manner of contraption is that?
Fascinating.
This wooden pipe must redirect the hot groundwater
to this caldarium.
The mechanism itself is quite primitive, but…
Wait. How on earth do they drain the water?
This phenomenon begs to be researched.
Oh, look at him go. I think it might be his first open-air bath.
Might be. I guess he's a hot spring spring chicken.
It all makes sense now. They're draining the water into the river!
Unlike these flat faces,
we Romans have failed to face where our customs fall flat.
While we have clung to our outdated aqueducts and massive conduits,
these people have harnessed the simple power of crude technology
to create this gorgeous, brilliant outdoor bath!
Should we help him? It doesn't look like he's doing so hot.
Hundred yen says he passes out.
No, I must not succumb to envy nor can I waver in my resolve!
I have been chosen to study this culture and use it to build the Rome of tomorrow!
My gods! What is that?
Some sort of woven basket on a stick.
And are these eggs?
Looks like our tourist pal found the hot spring eggs, huh?
Well, let's let him try one.
Yoo-hoo, Mr. Foreigner.
Crack that egg right in here.
-Hm? -Come on, give it a crack.
Here's the bowl.
What are you, waiting for it to hatch? Give it. Like this.
There you go, buddy, one hot spring egg.
It's an old Japanese classic, like me, ha!
Is he telling me to eat this?
Go ahead, eat up, sonny. I promise you're gonna love it.
An egg that's been boiled using the heat of the bathwater.
Well, it doesn't seem to be poisoned.
Delectable! What is this ambrosial texture?
It's so silky and smooth!
Nowhere in the entire Roman empire
could one find such a sumptuous soft-boiled snack!
Look at you gulping down the whole thing in one go.
While you're at it, why don't you wash that down with some sake?
This is the only way to get the complete Japanese hot spring experience.
Slam it down. Go on, we don't touch.
A tiny drink.
It has a strong odor of fermentation.
Don't look at me like I poured you an arsenic cocktail, just drink it.
Amazing! And it complements the egg so well!
Wow, look how happy he is, all liquored up.
He sure is.
And there's a lot more where that came from, buddy.
You just slam down another one and enjoy yourself.
Until now as a Roman, I truly believed
that I had experienced every single bock of alien pleasure this world had to offer.
But I was woefully incorrect.
You know, being a guy who looks like you around here is pretty rare.
Rare indeed. He's so rugged and manly,
you could cut glass with that jaw.
What's the matter? You can't keep up with us old folks?
Look at him, he's dozing off.
Oh gods, what a terrible mistake I've made.
I'm starting to lose control of my senses.
I cannot afford to lose my balance here.
A Roman must always keep his wits about him…
Here you go, dearie, have yourself another egg.
Don't be shy now.
Oh my, a handsome young foreigner is ogling my gazongas.
I feel like I'm 50 years younger.
He probably just figured out you're a woman.
If there's one thing that's clear
it's that these people have an aesthetic sense that rivals even that of us Romans.
There's no limit to what we could learn from their innovations.
Perhaps I should study abroad in this country.
-But after a quick nap. -Sorry, Sorry, darling, you couldn't…
Master Lucius. Master Lucius, wake up!
Are you alright? What happened to you down there?
Move slowly, sir. Are you certain you should be sitting up like that?
Once again, it ended as abruptly as it began.
-Regulus! -Yes?
We must begin construction of the outdoor bathhouse immediately!
Uh, yes, sir.
Then let us strike while the iron is hot.
A WHILE LATER
So, has Consul Lepidus's condition seen any improvements?
Yes, it's like a miracle. After you built the outdoor bath for him,
he started using it daily and now he has completely recovered from his ailments.
He was profoundly impressed by your genius, Master Lucius,
you should be proud. I think you just might have saved the master's life.
If only he knew the truth.
What I created was but an imitation of that world's design.
Lucius, my friend! There you are! Come on in! The water's fine!
No, Consul, could that really be you?
I was so certain I would die in this bath
but instead I found myself a wife and had another child.
I owe my life to you, Lucius, truly.
You and this marvelous outdoor bath you built
has done things I never thought possible.
I… I am very glad to hear it, sir, but…
How could a bath alone have this effect?
The suggestions you gave me have done wonders.
I started drinking warm wine
and eating these excellent eggs in the bath every day.
As for why I called you here today,
there's something that I'm concerned about.
Oh, and what troubles you, sir?
Well, it's that guy.
He seems like a peaceful little fellow, so he's not a bother.
Lucius, would you have any idea what he is?
Oh, no. None at all, what do you mean?
Well, then I suppose I'll just leave him be.
That creature…
How is it going to get back home?
Thermae Romae. The Hot Spring Tour.
Author Ms. Mari Yamazaki
embarked on a journey to rediscover Japan's bathing culture.
Hot springs are known for the onsen tamago .
In the anime, Lucius was impressed when he ate it.
I want to try eating it too.
Onsen tamago .
Hello.
-Hello. -Hello.
KUSATSU GARASU ZO
-Thank you for helping us today. -My pleasure.
I'm here to try the onsen tamago .
You're making a lot of them.
Yes.
These eggs are first cooked
for 12 minutes in a water that is 80 degrees Celsius.
Then it's placed in this hot spring for two hours to keep warm.
-A lot of work goes into these eggs. -Yes.
It adds a little flavor of the hot spring.
-It gives it that flavor? -Yes.
Flavor of the hot spring?
Onsen tamago
is an egg that is cooked for a long time in water that is 70 to 80 degrees.
Taking advantage of the fact that the egg white and yolk
cook at different rates, the hard-boiled egg, soft-boiled egg,
and onsen tamago each provide a different texture.
-May I try one? -Yes.
Please take one.
Which one should I choose? I'll take this one.
I'll crack it.
I'm going to crack it open.
-That looks good. -Please put this broth in it.
Lovely.
-I'll give it a try. -Yes, please.
I guess I can kind of taste the hot spring flavor.
It's very good.
It's good, but I really like the texture.
It makes me want rice with it.
I want to eat this with white rice.
-Sorry, we don't have any rice prepared. -No worries.
Thermae memory.
She sketched a memorable moment from this trip.
How did this trip appear in Ms. Yamazaki's eyes?
THIS KIND OF TEXTURE DOESN'T EXIST IN ROME!
I don't know how to express it, but this is how I really felt.
I don't think you can find this particular texture elsewhere.
Lucius will now return to Rome
and introduce these eggs that have a special texture.
I think it will go well with Italian cuisine.
I think Romans would like these things.
They love gourmet food.
So they love new textures and things like that.
This will become popular for sure.
Thermae Romae. The Hot Spring Tour.
Ms. Yamazaki's journey will continue, as she searches for more hot springs.