After 6 years here, I finally bought one. Actually, I didn't know about them until recently. Yutanpo is the Japanese version of a hot water bottle. They are made of totan (tin), yes, like the totan roofs some of our houses have in Hawaii. There are plastic yutanpo too, but I think the metal ones hold the heat longer.This one is about 12 inches long and 10 inches wide and holds about 3 liters of water. Heat water to just before boiling. Add it carefully to the yutanpo, cork it tightly and slide it into the fabric bag.
Be careful! If the water is too hot, you could get mild burns.
It is best to put the yutanpo into your bed to warm it up, then when you are ready to sleep, take it out. This is to prevent burning yourself while sleeping.
In the morning, the water should still be warm, and you can use it to wash your face or dishes.
I'm hugging mine as I type.
How interesting! I wish we had cold enough weather to do this...really I do! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, the last sentence, "I'm hugging mine as I type" - just put the biggest smile on my face :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! My husband told me last week that his grandparents used to take hot embers from the fire and put it into a sort of metal box before placing it at the foot of the bed. He kidded with me that perhaps we could do that when we finally get a fireplace but then I said, "You kidding? There's gonna be ashes everywhere, no?" hee hee
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of your weather, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteGlad to send you a warm fuzzy post, Kathy!
Gosh, I would have burned the house down if I had to put embers in, Rowena!
Take care everyone.
Kat
i never had one..what i miss in japan during cold season is kotatsu.. :-)
ReplyDeletewarm hugs n kisses,
dhanggit
Dhanggit,
ReplyDeleteWe haven't used our kotatsu for years now, winters are still a bit warmer than when we first got here.
Take care.
Kat
oh! how cute! Your last sentence on hugging it as you type brought a smile to my face too when I read it :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I could use this water bottle. :-)
ReplyDeletePaz
Hey Kat - For some reason, I initially thought it looked like a hand grenade...... Looks good, and probably better than the two dogs I've been using to keep me warm!
ReplyDeleteGlad to send a smile, Ilingc.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they have these in the U.S., Paz??
Hey Kirkk, I guess it does look like a grenade. I'd take the two dogs to keep me warm if our building allowed pets :)
Take care all.
Kat
Oh cute, I used to have one like this too in France. I am sure my mum still has it somewhere.
ReplyDeleteOoh I wonder if yours is smaller or larger, Bea? Would be cute to see the one you used to use.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
nothing beats a nice warm bed and a hot water bottle. I had one when I was in boarding school... I think I made it explode doing god knows what!
ReplyDeleteLina, Oh my!
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Ah... it may sound cruel but I can't bring myself to think about cold weather! =P
ReplyDeleteIn any case, keep warm!
It is not cruel at all, Monique! :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat