What the heck is a "loofah?"

I love Japanese hotels; I especially love Japanese hotel _bathrooms_. The amenities are incredible, the hot water is infinite, the water pressure is *strong*, the toilet seats are warm, the toiletries are voluminous, and the ceilings are low. Woo-hoo! What's not to love?

Actually, the bathroom construction is quite interesting. They're installed as a complete, enclosed unit. The walls are entirely plastic, as is the ceiling - there's no need for drywall or seals or any other mold-inducing items. It seems to me that Japanese construcion technology is far superior to ours... probably comes with the "no-land-must-always-build-*up*" territory.

So, what *is* a "Loofah?" Oh, and anybody have any idea what the heck *this* faucet does?

Let me know,

---Jason

P.S. - This last picture is a sculpture in front of Hotel Hanshin, where we staying right now. Nice, huh?