Tsurigama no koro refers to the period in March when the kettle is suspended over the hearth from the ceiling on a chain rather than resting on a trivet. The hearth season is entering its final stretch, cold still remaining while the first signs of spring begin. A kettle hanging in the air and swaying slightly draws the image of a spring breeze into the room, producing a light, mobile atmosphere.
Timing
Most often between the awakening of insects around 5 March and the spring equinox around 21 March. By April, after the nagori of the hearth, preparations begin for closing it. Following the hanging kettle, April brings the sukigi kettle, and the setting of the kettle rises progressively higher as the season turns.
Why it works
The device is subtle and entirely non-verbal: nothing in the room says spring, but the fire is no longer held down. It is a good example of the practice conveying a season through a mechanical change rather than a decorative one.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
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Term info
- Category
- Seasonal