I found this amazing traditional hearth (irori) when I stopped by a noodle house on the way back from Shiobara. As you can see from the picture, the hearth is made out of a massive tree trunk roughly 5 feet in diameter. The trunk has been carved out and has a huge carved koi fish above it for hanging cast iron kettles and teapots.
Traditional Japanese hearths were usually built in a square shape and placed in the main part of the house. Families would gather around these hearths and enjoy nabe (clay or cast iron pot) dishes, skewered fish, or drink tea/sake. Usually nambu tekki cast iron kettles or cast iron pots were used. The grandmother that ran the noodle house also shared some interesting information regarding the irori (hearth). The reason fish are used (as part of the decor) is to protect your house from burning down (since fish represent water). She also said that you usually point the mouth of the fish toward your front entrance for good luck. I don’t know how much is really true but it was an interesting piece of Japanese tradition and folklore. B