(ひばち)

ひばち
noun
charcoal brazier
1. charcoal brazier
A traditional Japanese heating device consisting of a container filled with ash and burning charcoal.
火鉢(ひばち)()(あたた)める。
To warm one's hands over the charcoal brazier.
祖母(そぼ)(いえ)には(ふる)火鉢(ひばち)がある。
There's an old charcoal brazier at my grandmother's house.
火鉢(ひばち)(すみ)をつぐ。
To add charcoal to the brazier.

ETYMOLOGY:
() (fire) + (はち) (bowl/pot)

DESCRIPTION:
Traditional 火鉢(ひばち) are often made of ceramic, wood, or metal. They contain ash ((はい)) with burning charcoal ((すみ)) placed in the center for heating.

HISTORICAL NOTE:
Widely used in Japan before the adoption of modern heating systems. Now mostly seen as antiques or decorative items, though some traditional establishments still use them.

IN WESTERN USE:
The word "hibachi" in English often refers to small portable grills for cooking, which differs from the traditional Japanese meaning.

RELATED ITEMS:

  • 炬燵(こたつ): heated table (another traditional heating method)
  • 囲炉裏(いろり): sunken hearth