We were chatting with a friend who spent several years in Japan about the Japanese proficiency for maximizing usable space in the home when he mentioned the kotatsu, a low multipurpose table that transforms for warm or cold weather configurations. In winter time, the wooden tabletop is removed to be replaced with a heavy blanket and heating unit placed into the middle of the framework, effectively creating a cocoon of warmth to work at while on the computer or enjoying television...
Interested in building your own kotatsu while weathering the colder climates of wintertime while WOWing or watching the telly? You'll need a few materials to get started, including a kotatsu heater unit (do not use a regular heater, as they may not properly vent and may cause a fire), a table, some cushy futon seating, and large blanket to drape across. Throw in a space heating mat for each of your guests, and you've got the hottest place to be on a cold winter LAN party night.
A great 3-part resource for a DIY kotatsu set-up was written at mantilo: a miscellany, listing a variety of kotatsu construction alternatives for the heating unit and resources for other kotatsu supplies (including some cute photos of pets enjoying the warmth the ingenious heated workcenter provides). Considering our better half complains that Los Angeles falls and winters are "arctic", we think we might be making our own DIY version soon.
[Images: 顔なし, jujuo, Mariano Ulibarri and hikikomorix]
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Comments (6)
We love our kotatsu. My husband says it's one of the best purchases I've made. Our pug loves it too.
I'd say everyone in Japan has one as it comes in handy on those chilly nights. So easy to fall asleep under one too.
I purchased mines in SF Japantown for about $150. I'm thinking of getting a larger one. As the smaller one just is a bit crowded with the 3 of us huddled together.
Despite living in Japan for almost 20 years, I have never been a fan of the kotatsu for several reasons and I don't have one. First of all, it encourages you to just sit in one space for a long time because it's the only warm spot in the room and it's harder to extricate yourself from so you just sit there like a warmed lump. Second, I am not a fan of sitting on the floor.
Personally, I don't think people in Japan ever sleep under them as has been suggested in the previous comment, though I have spoken to people who sit under them for hours on end (sometimes during the entire day). They're not particularly energy efficient for the area of effect either. They just are cheaper than central heating which uses more energy because it heats a far greater area.
It's really not a whole lot different than staying under an electric blanket. The only difference is that all the heat is on your legs and feet with a kotatsu.
I always wanted to try one of these but I'm more interested in the Korean version of heating- ondol. All of my Korean friends say its so nice and you don't have to crack open a window to help the humidity/dry air in the room.
I just don't think I could get over the fire hazard.
But then I live in Canada where it is cold for about 6 months, bone chillingly cold for 3 full months. The pipes would freeze and we'd likely never eat because it would be to cold to get out from under it.
I just noticed all of the shots of kotatsu include "hot carpets" as well as kotatsu. That is a good reflection of how inefficient the kotatsu is. You have to sit on an electric carpet as well to be sufficiently warm. Also, the woman in the second picture is so cold while using the computer that she's also wearing gloves.
Mainly, I think these appeal to sedentary heat hounds - the sort that are always cold.
I see these and futons, quilts, covers and cushions advertised in the Marukai store circular here in Los Angeles. Not all the stores stock these items so the Torrance store would be your best bet.