Irori いろり

An Irori, or a sunken hearth, which is a traditional Japanese-style fireplace without a chimney. It is a square cut into the floor in the center of the room.

A fire is made with wood or charcoal on ash in the sunken hearth. The smoke sealed the ceiling and could seep through the thatched roof. A pothook suspended from the ceiling hangs down over the middle of the Irori and can be used for cooking.

An Irori is seldom seen these days, even in the countryside. You may only see it in older farmhouses preserved as historical cultural assets. I recently found an Irori at Osawa-kan, a traditional Onsen Ryokan in Shiozawa. Sitting beside the Irori made me relaxed and I seemed to have slipped into olden times!

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