Types
There are two kinds of kotatsu used in Japan today, differing in the configuration and the type of heating:
- Electric: The modern style of kotatsu (oki-gotatsu (置き炬燵?)) consists of a table with an electric heater attached to the underside of the table. This evolved from a clay pot with hot coals placed under a table. The kotatsu is usually set on a thin futon, like a throw rug. A second, thicker futon is placed over the kotatsu table, above which the tabletop is placed. The electric heater attached to the underside of the table heats the space under the comforter.
- Charcoal: The more traditional type is a table placed over a recessed floor (hori-gotatsu (掘り炬燵?)). The pit is cut into the floor and is about 40 centimeters deep. A charcoal heater is placed somewhere in the pit's floor, walls, or, as in the modern-style kotatsu, attached to the table-frame. There are pit type kotatsu with an electric heater too.
Read more about this topic: Kotatsu
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