Kotatsu

The kotatsu (Japanese炬 燵or火 燵) is a heated table in Japanese houses, which today represents one of the main sources of heat in the winter and is a place of family togetherness.

Function

A present-day kotatsu consists of three parts:

• A low table frame, into which an electric heater is mounted
• A table top
• A blanket that is tucked between the frame and plate and extends on all sides to the floor and insulated, the heat generated.

The kotatsu is usually positioned in a traditional Japanese room with a floor made of tatami mats (which are warmer than the "Western" wooden parquet floor ). To warm up, you have to slip as low as possible under the kotatsu and under the kotatsu blanket with the body consequently.

Heating in Japan

The vast majority of Japanese households have no central heating and no insulation in most regions, so that each household makes use of different point solutions to keep warm in winter. In addition to the Japanese Kotatsu heating primarily with small oil heaters, air conditioning, electric or gas-fired radiant heaters or electrically heated carpets. In addition, in recent times have underfloor heating and the Washlet (for the toilet) on the rise.

Overall, however, the Kotatsu comes to meet a different view for heating: In Europe, it should be warm there, where to move, so in the extreme case in the whole house. In Japan, it moves to where it is warm, so to a certain place.

History

The Kotatsu said to have come from China, but has since also an old tradition in Japan. He used consisted essentially of a designed as pit fireplace (most houses had only one storey ), was produced in the charcoal heat. About the hole table was made in the course of time. Kotatsu, which consist of a table with recess below and a heater at the bottom thereof, represent a rather rare special form, the Horigotatsu (掘り ご たつlit.: " Pit Kotatsu ") that are generally customary nowadays Kotatsu, based on the flat bottom are provided and have an electric heater under the table top.