Irori
Photo taken on May 18, 2005 at 18:36:10 - (Clicking on the photo will show the next photo)
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A close-up of the irori. The irori almost always has a kettle suspended from
the ceiling and was traditionally used to heat water. The fish is actually
a clip that can be used to raise and lower the kettle. The fish is a common
shape for this "clip", and I believe it is because fish are supposed to
help ward off fire (which was always a worry to the Japanese in their
wooden houses).
