foot-operated bellows; foot bellows
Traditional Japanese bellows operated by foot, used especially in iron smelting.
Tatara furnace; traditional clay furnace for smelting iron
A traditional Japanese clay furnace used with foot bellows for smelting iron; also written 鑪.
In tatara ironmaking, large foot bellows are used to blow air into the furnace.
In Shimane Prefecture, a traditional tatara furnace is preserved.
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms are rare or search-only.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
The origin is uncertain; the word is deeply associated with traditional Japanese iron smelting.