Antique Japanese 19th Century Sugi Wood Kotatsu Table 34”

Antique Japanese Kotatsu 炬燵 table. This frame was placed over a very small portable brazier with hot coals inside to keep the legs warm under a table during the winter months.

Length = 34.5" (87.5cm)

Width = 34" Square (86.5cm)

Height = 14" (35.5cm)

The Kotatsu (炬燵) is a low, wooden table frame covered by a futon or blanket, in modern days, with a heating element underneath. It originated in Japan during the Muromachi period (14th to 16th centuries). Traditionally, a charcoal brazier was placed underneath for warmth, but modern versions use electric heaters.

Families and guests sit around the kotatsu with their legs underneath the blanket, enjoying warmth during cold seasons. It's a cozy and intimate space for socializing, eating, studying, or simply relaxing. The kotatsu embodies the concept of "irori" or a sunken hearth, which was historically central to Japanese homes for warmth and cooking.

The kotatsu remains popular in Japan, especially in older homes or during winter months. It's cherished for its warmth and communal atmosphere, often symbolizing comfort and togetherness in Japanese culture.