Japan is famous for its traditions, modern technology and comfortable way of living. The kotatsu is a traditional Japanese table that is used in the times of winter as a heater. If you have watched Japanese movies, anime or some travel videos then you may have seen people sitting around a table with a thick blanket covering it. That warm table is called a kotatsu.
So if your question is what is a kotatsu then it is not just a table in Japan. It is a comfortable place where families or friends sit and spend time together during cold winter days by eating or watching TV. Even today there are still many houses in Japan that use a kotatsu because it keeps people warm without heating the entire room by using less electricity.
In this guide you will learn how it works, where it came from, the different types of kotatsu, its benefits, safety precautions you should take and whether it is a good choice for your home or not.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Kotatsu
It is a wooden table with a heater inside it and a thick blanket on the table where people sit and cover their lower body with the blanket. The blanket helps keep the heat inside and makes the place under the table warm and comfortable.
When you sit in it you should keep your legs under the blanket and the heater keeps your legs and lower body warm while the blanket prevents the heat from escaping.
Instead of heating the complete room it only warms the area where people are sitting and their lower body inside the blanket. This helps you to save electricity and keeps you warm at the same time. Today most kotatsu tables use safe electric heaters but in the past people used charcoal to heat themselves.
The History of the Kotatsu
To understand what is a kotatsu you must know where it came from. it has been used in Japan for hundreds of years. Long ago in Japanese homes there was a fireplace on the floor that people used for cooking food and keeping themselves warm.
Later people started keeping a wooden frame with heat and covered it with a cloth to keep it warm inside the blanket. Slowly this simple idea became the kotatsu that people in Japan are using.
And after so many years more and more families in Japan started using the kotatsu. Later when electricity became common in Japan the old charcoal heaters were replaced with electric heaters. Kotatsu is safer, easier to use and more convenient.
Even though there are so many heating methods the purpose of the kotatsu has stayed the same. It is still a simple, comfortable, and easy way to stay warm during the winter.
How Does a Kotatsu Work?
After learning what is a kotatsu many people also want to know how it works.. A kotatsu will keep heat under a thick blanket by making the place under the table warm and there will be so much space for the people to sit around it and have some good time in winter.
A modern kotatsu has four main parts:
Wooden Table
The wooden table is the thing that holds everything together. It’s a small table kept on the floor.
Electric Heater
A small electric heater is fixed under the table which gives heat. It uses less electricity than heating a whole room and is easy to use.
Thick Blanket
A thick blanket is used to cover the table so it keeps the heat inside and stops it from escaping. And this blanket is placed between the table and the top wooden surface.
Tabletop
The tabletop is a wooden block placed on the top of a blanket. This keeps the blanket in the same position without moving and will make you use the kotatsu like a normal table.
Why is the Kotatsu So Popular in Japan?
After understanding what is a kotatsu many people wonder why it is so popular in Japan. or watch Japanese movies and anime. After seeing it they will think why it is so popular. The kotatsu is still used in many Japanese homes because it is warm, comfortable and easy to use. Some of the main reasons why people love it.
Saves Electricity
A kotatsu only warms the people sitting around it instead of heating the whole room which actually helps you to save electricity and to keep yourself warm at a low cost.
Brings Family Together
This kotatsu is a place where it makes family or friends sit together to spend some quality time by eating or watching TV and enjoying.
Saves Space
Many homes in Japan are small so they cannot keep big items and to keep items that are necessary to save space. In that case a kotatsu works as both a table and a heater so it helps to save space.
Warm and Comfortable
Sitting under a warm blanket with a hot drink or spending time with family makes the kotatsu an amazing and relaxing place during winter.
Different Types of Kotatsu
Understanding what is a kotatsu also means that you must know that there are some different styles of kotatsu.
Electric Kotatsu
This is the most common type that people are using today. It has a small electric heater under the table and it has many options that you can adjust the heat according to your comfort.
Traditional Charcoal Kotatsu
In the past these kotatsu tables were heated with charcoal instead of electricity. It gives natural warmth but they have to be used carefully because of the fire and sometimes it produces smoke.
Horigotatsu
A horigotatsu is a kotatsu that is built into the floor. Instead of sitting with your legs folded under the table there is a hole in the floor below it. You can put your legs into that space just like you are sitting on a chair.
This makes it much more comfortable especially if you want to sit for a long time.
Modern Kotatsu
Modern kotatsu tables come in many styles and different designs. They look like regular furniture but still keep you warm which makes it a good choice for modern homes.
Are Kotatsu Tables Safe?
If you are learning what is a kotatsu you should also know how to use it safely. Most models have temperature control overheat protection and an automatic off feature which helps to prevent accidents.
To use a kotatsu safely then do not cover the heater. Keep the blanket dry. Do not place anything that can absorb fire under the table. Turn off and unplug the heater when you are not using it.
If you are using a traditional charcoal method you need to be more careful than using an electric kotatsu. Always use it in a place with good airflow because charcoal can produce harmful smoke.
Final Thoughts
Now I think you know what is a kotatsu and why so many people in Japan are still using it today. It is not just a table that keeps you warm. It is a comfortable place where people can relax, spend time with family and enjoy the cold winter season.
Today this kotatsu is becoming more popular in many other countries too. It is simple to use and also saves electricity and helps keep you warm without heating the whole room. If you want an easy and comfortable way to enjoy winter then a kotatsu is a perfect choice.