What is a traditional Japanese Irori Table used for?

Japan is a beautiful country that is enriched with many unique and fascinating customs and traditions. The local culture of Japan is what makes every aspect of the country and everything that is related to the country so special. One such interesting cultural fascination that belongs to the Japanese culture and traditions is the “Irori Table”.

What is an Irori table?

An irori is basically a traditional Japanese sunken hearth (fireplace). It is traditionally used for heating their homes and for cooking Japanese food. The irori table is basically a square-shaped, stone-lined pit in the floor that is equipped with an adjustable pothook which is locally known as a “jizaikagi” and it usually consists of an iron rod protected in a bamboo tube. The jizaikagi is used for raising or lowering a suspended pot or kettle with the help of an attached lever which is normally designed in the shape of a fish for traditional decorative purposes.

So what is an irori table used for?

The irori table, in fact, has many different uses. It is used to heat the living room and to provide a place at home to cook, grill, or prepare simple Japanese food. Locals also use the irori to heat and boil water as well. The traditional irori table is also a source that lights the living room in Japanese houses. The irori is also used in japan to dry clothes at home. In a typical Japanese household, the irori table is a great source to gather the members of the family in the living room at least once a day and it promotes the mutual communication in a typical Japanese household. It provides a simple representation of stability in Japanese culture.

A little household history: how was irori table invented?

The irori table is a deeply rooted part of the Japanese culture and is especially closely linked with Japanese cooking. In the city of Kyoto in Japan, you can easily find many houses with the traditional irori table installed in the comfort of the homes of local Japanese residents. Before the traditional “kotatsu” in Japan, the country had the irori table. It is typically a hearth that is set in a sunken depth on the floor of the living room in a traditional Japanese home. The irori is usually filled with fine sand. It is typically made of wood and the sand that it is filled with protects the heartwood from burning.

Although, it seems to be quite a bad idea if thought of in general but in Japan, the invention of the irori has made it possible to house an open fire inside a wooden fire pit that is located in the center of their houses which are also made of wood and have paper doors and straw mat floors; all that in an affordable and healthy sustainable way without any major hazards.

Back during the older times of Japan, the smoke of an indoor lit fire was quite an important deal to preserve the roof of a typical local Japanese house. It was also a common practice to use coal. However, as the locals of Japan began to become more and more prosperous with time, they started to prefer coal without the “indoor smoke” that it came with. Back then, the people would gather branches that had fallen off from trees. Though, they needed harvest the dead logs of trees as they were not permitted to chop off living wood from trees. Hence, it was easier for them to gather enough fuel for the irori.

Moreover, making coal was relatively more time consuming. It required additional effort in the process and although the job was quite simple overall. It seemed to be impossible for most of the families to collect and harvest enough wood to make coal. This is when the irori table came as a sustainable and easy solution to the problems of coal.

Where to find irori tables in Japan?

The irori is, as some might say, a rather innovative tradition and is a unique part of the Japanese culture. It provides great comfort and helps in preparing interesting and delicious local food at home. Unfortunately, it is very rare to find an irori table anymore. Many old houses has been demolished or iriori table has been replaced with modern living room furniture. Don’t worry though: if you are interested to see one, and have no Japanese friends who own one, we warmly welcome you to check our installation in Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei.

Moreover, during the winter, at our Ryokan Hotel you have the chance to try the more frequent version of an irori table: a ‘kotatsu’. “Kotatsu” is a table with a heater installed underneath and covered with a futon blanket. During the winter months many Japanese households use it to make the family dinners a more comfortable and cozy experience. It warms up your feet pretty fast when you put them under it. It is also great fun just to sit around and discuss the adventures you have gone through during your day of discovering Kyoto.

We hope to see you soon in Kyoto and serve you with a warm cup of tea!