Japanese Kotatsu Culture：A winter tradition that warms both your mind and body

Hello! Kawara Edition Japan!Writer of、It's fancy。
There's a cold breeze outside、A winter day when you breathe lightens。In the meantime、While walking into the kotatsu inside the house、Laughing with family and friends with mandarin oranges in hand、This is the warmth of Japan's winter。This time、We bring you the charm of "kotatsu" which is indispensable for the winter in Japan!

1.What is a kotatsu?

Kotatsu (kotatsu)、This is a traditional heating furniture created to make Japan's winter comfortable。A heat source is installed under a low wooden table.、A thick futon hung over it locks in heat、Warm people sitting。The mechanism is、It removes the cold as if it envelops the entire body。

The reason for its popularity is、It's not just a heating appliance、Family and friends gather naturally、It is about creating a "bond place" where you can share time together。

Kotatsu's mechanism

Kotatsu is、It consists of the following elements：

table：A low wooden table is the basic。The top plate is removable、Food and work、It also works as a place for gathering。

Heat source：In the past, we used charcoal and charcoal.、In modern times, electric heaters are the most common.。

Kotatsu Futon：A thick futon locks in heat。Recently、Many futons with high design quality、There's fun to choose according to your interior。

Tracing the history of kotatsu

The origin of kotatsu dates back to the Muromachi period (14th century).。At that time、The basic method was to put a futon over the hearth to keep warm.。after that、The "horigotatsu" that allows you to dig into the floor and stretch your legs is developed.。It became popular among ordinary households during the Meiji period.、Since the Showa era、The current mainstream "Okigotatsu" has appeared。

Kotatsu has evolved with the times。Electricity is now the norm、Models with improved energy-saving performance、More and more kotatsu with modern designs。Kotatsu is、This is a unique Japanese furniture created by the fusion of tradition and modern technology.。

Types of kotatsu

For kotatsu、There are two types:。

Placed kotatsu：Lightweight type for installation on the floor。Easy to move、Most popular in ordinary households。

Sunflower：Fixed type with a deep dive into the floor。The appeal is that it is comfortable to sit with your legs stretched out、Because installation is time consuming、It is often used in ryokans and specific homes.。

Changes in kotatsu culture in modern times

Kotatsu is not just a heating device、Family and friends gather naturally、It is a place of bonds where you can share heartwarming time。Especially winter days、I ate mandarin oranges around the kotatsu、The sight of watching TV、It is a tradition that symbolizes Japan's winter。

But in recent years、Due to the evolution of heating equipment and lifestyle changes、Fewer households using kotatsu。on the other hand、Increased attention overseas、Japan's "kotatsu culture" is being re-evaluated in a new way。Hybrid furniture that combines kotatsu and sofa、Energy-saving models etc.、Kotatsus are appearing one after another to suit modern needs.。

Memories of Kotatsu

In Hokkaido where I live、Due to the excellent heating equipment for cold climates、Few households use kotatsu。but、Kotatsu was a winter staple item in my hometown of Kyushu.。A cold night、The whole family surrounds the kotatsu、We laugh while enjoying a hot meal、That kind of time、It's still deeply engraved in my heart。

summary

Kotatsu is、Not only does it warm your body、Connecting people、It's a special thing that warms your heart。In that small space、It has the power to turn time with family and friends into something special。

This winter、Why not try incorporating kotatsu? In a warm kotatsu、Experience the warmth of Japanese culture、Have a special moment。The smiles and conversations that arise within the kotatsu、It's sure to make a wonderful winter memory。