…Hello, this is Tohoku Kiritan.
Tomorrow, November 7th (Saturday), is Rittou.
On the traditional calendar, winter officially starts tomorrow.
It now takes me five minutes to get out of my futon in the morning. Last month, it only took one.
…So, I brought it out.
The kotatsu.
❄️ Rittou is Tomorrow at 10:57 AM
Rittou is one of the 24 solar terms, and it marks the beginning of winter.
According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan’s calendar, this year it’s at 10:57 AM on November 7th (Saturday).
They say the exact time is set because it’s determined by the sun’s position.
…This article is being published at 10 AM today, so that’s almost exactly one day beforehand.
From here, we’ll move on to Shosetsu (Lesser Snow), Taisetsu (Greater Snow), and Toji (Winter Solstice).
The winters in Tohoku are long.
That’s why I think the initial preparation is so important.
🐗 There’s a Tradition for When to Bring Out the Kotatsu
I did a little research before setting it up.
It’s said that during the Edo period, there was a custom of bringing out the kotatsu on the Day of the Boar in the Month of the Boar.
The Month of the Boar is the 10th month of the old lunar calendar.
Many explanations say that samurai families would bring it out on the first Day of the Boar, and commoners on the second.
So, why the Day of the Boar?
The tradition says that the boar (inoshishi) is an animal that avoids fire, or is associated with “water” in the five elements, so starting to use the kotatsu on this day will prevent fires.
The “ro-biraki” ceremony in tea ceremonies, where the hearth is opened for the winter, also happens around this time.
Nowadays, people often go by the Day of the Boar in November on the modern calendar. According to a calendar site, this year the first Day of the Boar is November 9th (Monday), and the second is November 21st (Saturday).
…So, if I were to follow tradition, I should have waited another three days.
I couldn’t wait.
It was cold.
Of course, a tradition is just a tradition. The date won’t actually reduce the risk of fire, so I’m being careful with the power cord and the area around the futon.
🍊 Checking My Kotatsu Gear
Once the kotatsu is out, it’s time for the gear.
| Gear | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kotatsu Futon | Thick | Aired it out before setting it up |
| Mikan Oranges | A basketful | Having them within arm’s reach is crucial |
| Game Console | Fully charged | I pulled the charger into the kotatsu, too |
| Zaisu (floor chair) | 1 | A backrest reduces the reasons to get out |
| Drink | Thermos | I’ll explain why later |
…Perfect.
When I was changing my wardrobe for the season, I wrote about how I have extremely few clothes for going out, but as long as I’m in the kotatsu, I don’t need outdoor clothes.
Structurally, the problem has been solved.
🦶 Leg Space is a Territorial Dispute
Thirty minutes after I set up the kotatsu, the green guy showed up.
Zundamon: “A kotatsu, nanoda! I’m getting in too, nanoda!”
Kiritan: “Go ahead. On the other side.”
Zundamon: “…Kiritan, your legs are long, nanoda. They’re reaching all the way to the middle, nanoda.”
Kiritan: “The person who gets in first has the rights.”
Zundamon: “There’s no such law, nanoda!”
There isn’t. I just made it up.
It’s cramped inside a kotatsu.
Where you put your feet is basically a battle for territory.
After a bit of a shoving match with our feet, Zundamon changed his strategy.
Zundamon: “If I can’t win with my feet, I’ll just get my whole body in, nanoda.”
Kiritan: “That’s not how you use a kotatsu.”
Zundamon: “It’s so warm, nanoda…”
He stuck just his head out and stopped moving.
…He’s melting.
🏮 Zunko-neesama and the Person Who Was Just… There
In the evening, Zunko-neesama came to check on us.
Zunko-neesama: “Kiritan, it’s time to come out. Dinner’s ready.”
Kiritan: “I want to eat here.”
Zunko-neesama: “No-ope. You too, Zundamon.”
Zundamon: “I’m part of the kotatsu now, nanoda…”
Zunko-neesama just laughed and went back to the kitchen.
And then, I suddenly noticed.
On the side of the kotatsu, between me and Zundamon.
My sister Itako was in it.
Kiritan: “…How long have you been there?”
Itako-neesan: “…For a little while.”
Kiritan: “I didn’t notice at all.”
Itako-neesan: “…It’s warm, isn’t it.”
She was quietly peeling a mikan orange.
She never even joined the foot-shoving match, but she secured the best spot.
…The person who sees all is also a master of claiming kotatsu territory.
💧 Rules I’ve Set to Avoid Sleeping in the Kotatsu
Finally, a little bit of serious talk.
They say that falling asleep in the kotatsu isn’t good for you.
The common explanations are that you sweat while you sleep and get dehydrated, or that the temperature difference between inside and outside the kotatsu is too large.
I don’t know the details, but I’ve definitely woken up with a parched throat before.
So, I’ve made some personal rules for this year.
- Keep a drink within reach and sip it frequently
- When I get sleepy, actually move to my futon
- Turn off the kotatsu switch when I get out
This is why the thermos was on my gear list.
…I have a feeling the second rule will be the hardest one to follow.
🍊 In Summary
- Rittou is tomorrow, November 7th (Saturday), at 10:57 AM
- In the Edo period, there was a tradition that putting out the kotatsu on the Day of the Boar would prevent fires
- This year’s Days of the Boar are November 9th (Monday) and November 21st (Saturday). I couldn’t wait
- Leg space in a kotatsu is a territorial dispute
- Don’t sleep in the kotatsu. Drink fluids frequently. Turn off the switch
Next Wednesday, Zundamon is scheduled to write the article.
Apparently, it’s going to be about the two of us making kiritanpo.
…Me, making a food that has the same name as me. It’s a little complicated, but I’ve decided to help.
You can find out more about me on Kiritan’s page, the person who became part of the kotatsu on Zundamon’s page, and the person who was just suddenly there on Itako’s page.
Well then.
I won’t be coming out of this kotatsu until spring.
…Except for dinner.