Irori is a Japanese hearth made in the floor of the living room of a farmhouse. It normally measures four or five feet square and has, instead of a chimney, a pothook hanging over it. Firewood is burnt for heating and cooking purposes.Family members may sit around it and enjoy a fireside chat. The top seat facing the entrance of the room is called yokoza, which is taken by the head of the family. Recently, modern heating systems have brought about its rapid disappearance.