fire place

the kotatsu is quintessentially japanese - given the preference for sitting on the floor this heated table with blanket is the main substitute for lack of central heating during the winter. I'm so glad that it's 'that' time of the year again when we can lounge about under it to keep warm and not feel guilty. in the summer it's just too bloody hot to do anything else and you kind of get depressed about the fact you never have the stamina to do anything - even though it's 'nice' out.

everyone comes together around the kotatsu as we would a fire in scotland but the lack of flame is certainly missed. traditionally these used charcoal but now it's dry, electric heat. despite this it's very cosy and the chances of falling asleep under the kotatsu on most nights in winter is about 90%.

I stumbled home from the pub last year at my in-laws house and thought no-one was around. so I grabbed a nightcap from the fridge and headed for the living room where the father-in-law emerged like a vampire from a coffin from under the blanket to scare the wits out of me. the old 'dozed off during the baseball game' story is one that most japanese families can relate to.