Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

Despite being a grown adult, and someone who has lived in New York City all his life, somehow I let winter sneak up on me every year.  I’m the last one ready with his sweaters, winter jacket and wool socks, but also the first one who will start complaining (go figure).  Thanks to Chopsticks NY however, I seem to be off on the right foot this year.  I’ve got a Haramaki belly warmer (see the November issue) and this month, I have with me a nifty little thing called the Yutanpo.

Look at it carefully, and it should seem familiar.  Does it remind you of a hot water bottle?  Well that’s what it is.  The Yutanpo is the Japanese version of the soft, rubbery hot water bottle that is a staple in many American households.  The major difference in design however is that the Yutanpo takes a hard body approach to it, so it’s more like a turtle shell rather than a pillow.

The origin of the hot water bottle is unclear, but one can trace the inspiration back as early as the 15th and 16th Century in Europe, when metal containers filled with coal would be used as a method to warm beds prior to sleep.  Eventually this developed into the use of hot water, which would remain warm for several hours and were presumably safer – unless it sprung a leak.  In Japan, Yutanpo were originally made of earthenware, then eventually metals like tin; paired with a cloth bag or blanket, they were a popular household item that would keep sleepers warm all through the night.  But with the advent of gas and electric heating systems, Yutanpo slowly faded away from public consciousness.

Today, Yutanpo are back in vogue in Japan, although more commonly available in plastic form.  They are safer than the original metals ones as they do not transfer heat in the same way – fill it with boiling water, close it up with the stopper, and cover with a pre-supplied cloth bag.  Environmental awareness is a major reason why Yutanpo have found resurgence, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that it is also the many kinds of bags and covers you can buy that have sustained its return.  You can get everything from Hello Kitty Yutanpos to Totoro covers and more.

My bedroom can get a little drafty, so it turns out the Yutanpo is perfect for me.  After filling it with some boiling water, I put the Yutnapo under my comforter to first warm my bed up.  Then I cuddled with it, gave it a nickname and eventually kept it by my feet – this is indeed a great way to keep your feet warm without having to wear socks in bed.  Add a little instant coffee and it’s also a great way to wake up. Ok, that last part is not true, but if someone tries to patent that idea, you heard it here first.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, and energy saving solution to keeping warm in the winter, keep an eye out for the Yutanpo – you can find it online or ask you local Japanese goods store to order some today.

This particular Yutanpo featured in the article can be picked up at MARS NY (www.littlejapanusa.com).

SPECIAL NOTE: Always be careful when using items that produce heat – you don’t want to suffer from low temperature burn.

—————– Reported by Nobi Nakanishi

Add water, close and wait three minutes for the noodles to…
woops, that’s for another article.
But in case you were wondering, no you should not cook any food in the Yutanpo.

If you knit, making a special cover for your Yutanpo can be a fun endeavor.
Santa Claus would probably appreciate this one, don’t you think?