Maybe wrong forum, but help with kotatsu?

[MikoTanpopo]

I really wasn't sure which forum this would belong in, but I tried this one since the kotatsu table hails from Asia.

I bought a kotatsu table last year (I haven't got to use it yet. crying ) and I'm having trouble finding a proper futon for it.

I found one on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kotatsu-Futon-Quilt-Mattress-Space-saving/dp/B002USBA7W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391141670&sr=8-2&keywords=kotatsu+futon

But it doesn't look like the normal futon that you would see on a kotatsu. However, it is the cheapest one I've found which is good on my budget, but I also know that cheapest can usually come out being terrible. (It says $77, but you have to pay $78 in shipping.)

And then I found this one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Japanese-Kotatsu-Futon-Set-Reversible-Fine2-Green-Table-Not-included-/281237208760?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417b0b3eb8

Which looks like an authentic futon for the kotatsu! It costs $184 but you have to almost pay the same amount in shipping.

I just wondered if anyone else possibly owns a kotatsu and had the same problem and could probably give me some advice? I have a feeling that I need to go with the one from eBay, but I would like to make sure before I fork out the money for it.

[MikoTanpopo]

Bump??

[I Eat Dictionaries]

I never had a futon for my kotatsu.. lol just pillows

[terradi]

Sorry, I can't remember what measurements ought to be, but long as it's long enough for your table, should be okay. Don't worry if it's a little under, it just won't drape as nicely. I did that for an oddly-shaped kotatsu.

If you're not aware -- a Japanese-made kotatsu built for Japanese wattage is a fire hazard in the US because the wattage is higher. If you don't have a transformer, you'll need one.

[MikoTanpopo]

terradi

Sorry, I can't remember what measurements ought to be, but long as it's long enough for your table, should be okay. Don't worry if it's a little under, it just won't drape as nicely. I did that for an oddly-shaped kotatsu.

If you're not aware -- a Japanese-made kotatsu built for Japanese wattage is a fire hazard in the US because the wattage is higher. If you don't have a transformer, you'll need one.

I haven't really got to use my table yet so I haven't been able to check it out properly. Plus I bought it off of eBay from someone in the US so I may not have to worry about that but I was not aware of the whole fire hazard thing! Thank you so much!

[terradi]

There should be information on wattage somewhere on the kotatsu. I have the same issue with a hot carpet I brought from Japan. Can't plug it in because it may catch fire ... so I'm waiting until I have a transformer to step down the wattage a bit.

If it wasn't a heated thing it probably wouldn't be as big a deal. Dunno. Most of the stuff I brought back was battery-powered or didn't use electricity at all, so I haven't tested out how much damage the US wattage system does to Japanese-bought products. I know I was told to just not bring appliances (rice cooker, vacuum) to the US because they wouldn't work there.