Okay, more apologies for the lack of updates; the new book has suddenly needed some big rewrites so I've been pushing it hard recently. Got a few updates ready, will turn them loose as soon as possible. Today we're going to look at one of Japan's most popular inventions (inside Japan, at least!): the kotatsu. A centuries-old device, the kotatsu is essentially a table with a small electric heater underneath, covered with a duvet (the pictures will give you a better idea of how it works). Then a wooden tabletop is placed on the top, and you sit with your legs under the duvet and use the table as normal. Even without the heater activated, it's a very snug and warm experience, especially in the depths of winter. Because of the size, it's also possible to sleep underneath the kotatsu, and in the colder parts of Japan many old people do so. However, it's also important to be very careful when using the kotatsu; the warmth and comfort are accompanied by an intense sleepiness and a general reluctance to leave. One person I know has been known to spend days under the kotatsu, emerging only to use the bathroom and make sure there are enough snacks within arm's length. In Japan these people are known as 'kotatsu turtles'. The pictures show me assembling our kotatsu, using a fold-out sofa bed as a base: