(いろり)

いろり
noun
sunken hearth; traditional fireplace
buildingculture
1. sunken hearth, traditional Japanese fireplace
A square pit cut into the floor of a traditional Japanese house, used for heating and cooking. Charcoal or wood is burned in it, and a pot can be hung above it.
囲炉裏(いろり)(かこ)
To sit around the hearth.
囲炉裏(いろり)(さかな)()いた
I grilled fish over the hearth.
Old farmhouses had a sunken hearth where the family would gather to eat.

Cultural note

The 囲炉裏(いろり) was the center of daily life in traditional Japanese homes, serving as a source of warmth, a place to cook, and a gathering spot for the family. Today they are rarely found in modern homes but can be seen in traditional inns (旅館(りょかん)), folk museums, and rural restaurants. Some modern restaurants feature 囲炉裏(いろり)-style seating as an atmosphere element.

Common collocations