thanks to all of you who have given some information. Really fascinating it is too.
I am particularly interested in permanent residents homes in Japan-- family homes etc. apart from apartments etc. It was my present Japanese friend who described the fire in the centre of the room and the hanging Pot.
Nyrororin as usual extremely helpful.
the other thing that I wonder about is about seating around a table If it is not a western style home, do people have to kneel down to eat around a very low legged table?
I know that I would find that impossible to do if I did come to Japan.
everything is amazing really.
Are japanese people mostly smaller or shorter than many Westerners?
Space or lack of space seems to be something that has to be accommodated as the most practical and suitable as possible.
There seem some great idea regarding using the bath water to wash clothes.
HOw long have there been showers available in Japan? daft question maybe-- but I was brought up to have a strip wash.
When I was in childrens homes we all queued up in turn to have a very shallow bath-- water just a few inches deep-- but we did not wash beforehand-- but it seems really sensible to have a wash or shower first.
It was years before I had a shower here--
I do find this whole subject of deep interest. sounds pretty uncomfortable for many of you having to squeeze inside a bath way too small for you.
also there used to be public slipper baths for people who did not have a bath tub at home which was very common back then