Photos by Tohoku Digital Archive

Historical Background

Washboard started being used in Japan around the Meiji or Taisho era. Washboards were originally invented in Europe around the 18th century when soap was already popular among the public there thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Then, it is said that a laundry man from Europe imported washboards into Japan around the end of the Edo period and Japanese people started using them for laundry. Washboards were used for laundry by Japanese people until the first 20 years of the Showa period, but they gradually faded away due to the advent of washing machines. 

Characteristics

Washboards are usually made of wood and have waves on their surface. You use them by rubbing your laundry on their wavy surface to remove the dirt and stains. It is said that the wood of cherry is the most suitable material for washboards. This is because it has a high density inside so it does not easily get soaked by water and lasts long. It also has a smooth surface, so the laundry that you rub on it does not get worn off.

Washboards in a current situation

While people once stopped using washboards after the advent of washing machines, it seems that washboards are now regaining a high reputation due to their usefulness. Washboards sometimes work better than washing machines when stains on cloth are really stubborn and tough. Such stubborn stains are pretty hard for washing machines to take off. Under that circumstance, it is much easier to wash them off by using washboards than washing machines because washboards enable you to do so manually and wash whichever specific parts you want to. Also, current washboards are very easy to carry with you due to their variety in sizes and materials. Back in the Taisho to Showa period, relatively large and heavy washboards made of wood were common. Now, however, small handy washboards made of light materials such as plastic are invented. Therefore, you can now bring them wherever you want, so some people often use them for small laundry on trips.