おひつ

おひつ
noun
wooden rice container; rice tub
1. wooden rice container; rice tub
a traditional wooden container used to store cooked rice and keep it warm
おひつにご飯(はん)(うつ)す。
To transfer rice to the ohitsu.
おひつを使(つか)うとご飯(はん)がべたつかない。
Using an ohitsu prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
老舗(しにせ)料亭(りょうてい)ではおひつでご飯(はん)()てくる。
At traditional high-end restaurants, rice is served in an ohitsu.

おひつ (also written 御櫃(おひつ)) is a traditional wooden container for storing cooked rice after it leaves the 炊飯器(すいはんき) or pot. The wood absorbs excess moisture, keeping rice at an ideal texture — neither too wet nor too dry.

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Traditionally made from (ひのき) (Japanese cypress) or (すぎ) (cedar). Still used in traditional 料亭(りょうてい) (high-end Japanese restaurants) and 寿司屋(すしや) (sushi shops). Some households use them for everyday rice storage.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • おひつに(うつ)す: to transfer (rice) to the ohitsu
  • おひつで()す: to serve in an ohitsu

RELATED ITEMS:

  • 寿司桶(すしおけ): sushi rice tub (wider, shallower)
  • 飯台(はんだい): wooden rice tub