[desertblues]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Not just vintage... Old! From back when everyone used charcoal fires for their cooking. These were made to sit on the iron holders that go right into the coals. Instead of chimney fireplace cooking, the fires were made in the center of the room, on a bed of sand, the smoke going up and out through a hole in the roof. For old wooden houses with paper walls, there sure were a lot of fires inside. For warmth, the kitchen and living rooms had charcoal heated 'kotatsu,' pits about 4-5 feet deep with burning charcoal at the bottom. Folks would sit with their feet dangling down into the pit, a table over the top of it, with a quilt holding the warmth inside.

These days folks use an electrically heated kotatsu. but it's still a very common way to keep warm. Many people will even sleep under them!

I prefer the old charcoal ones... as long as I'm not the one who has to wake up early to get them started!

Stitchawl

Thanks Stichawl; that is very interesting to hear. I think I would sit all day, with a good book and some cold Arabica-coffee with my legs under that cosy warm, table.