The Emperor's Mobile Toilet
The emperor's mobile toilet is known as the "guanfang".
Shape and Material The guanfang consists of a stool and a basin component, with its overall structure made of wood or tin. Some guanfangs, to display royal grandeur, are adorned with gemstones on their surfaces and carved with auspicious patterns, demonstrating exquisite craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials. For example, the guanfang used by Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing Dynasty was carved from a single piece of sandalwood into the shape of a gecko, with its four claws firmly planted on the ground for stability and anti-slip, its eyes embellished with gemstones, and its mouth holding specially made soft toilet paper, presenting a lively and exquisite appearance.
Usage For daily urination, the emperor used a small and delicate huzi (a chamber pot), which was made of a warm and smooth material with a regular shape, placed in a hidden location in the imperial bedroom for easy access. For defecation, upon receiving the emperor's signal, the personal eunuch would immediately bring out the imperial guanfang. Inside the guanfang, a thick layer of agarwood ash and fragrant wood shavings was laid in advance. When the emperor defecated, the waste would be instantly wrapped and absorbed by these materials, locking in the odor. Throughout the process, the emperor would not hear the sound of water, smell any odor, or see any waste.
Post-Use Handling After each use by the emperor, the eunuch would immediately cover the waste with incense ash and quickly seal the guanfang. Then, a dedicated person would carry the guanfang out of the palace with both hands and perform a series of handling procedures, including cleaning, drying, and scentin g, to ensure that the guanfang was clean and odor-free for the next use.
Special Cases The guanfangs of different emperors varied in details. Empress Dowager Cixi's guanfang was not only unique in shape, resembling a gecko, but also thoughtfully designed in terms of functionality, with the specially made soft toilet paper in its mouth facilitating the emperor's use. This fully reflected the royal luxury and the pursuit of perfection in life's details.
