thumb|240px|right|Irori
An irori (, ) is a traditional Japanese sunken hearth fired with charcoal. Used for heating the home and for cooking food, it is basically a square, stone-lined pit in the floor, equipped with an adjustable pothook – called a jizaikagi () and generally consisting of an iron rod within a bamboo tube. It is used for raising or lowering a suspended pot or kettle by means of an attached lever which is often decoratively designed in the shape of a fish. Historically, the irori served as the main source of residential heating and lighting, providing a place to cook, dry clothing, and act as a communal gathering location.
Function
The irori () has the following functions.
; Residential heating
: The irori was generally located in the center of the room and used for heating the whole room.
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; Cooking
: The irori was used for cooking. The seat furthest from the doma (the entryway) named yokoza was the seat of the family head. The children sat in the seat closest to the doma named kajiri. The guests and the head's wife sat on both sides of these seats. High rates have been observed among smokers and rural Indian farmers who practice stubble burning.
Gallery
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File:Japanese Traditional Hearth L4817.jpg|Irori
File:Irori - sankei-en - sept 5 2021.webm|thumbtime=13|An actively used irori
File:長瀨家 Nagase-ke - panoramio.jpg|Small irori
File:2013 Japan - Takamori Dengaku Hozonaki (11148675595).jpg|A jizaikagi hearth hook with fish-shaped counterbalance
File:囲炉裏.jpg|An irori in use
File:Yunokami-Onsen Station 006.JPG|An irori in a train station waiting room, 2010
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