Japan is a mountainous country, and in the past had an abundant supply of quality woods. In addition to furniture making, Japanese craftsmen have a long history of wood artistry, creating a wide range of items for everyday and specialized use, including hibachi, boxes of all sorts, figures, signs, stands, items for ikebana, the tea ceremony, and the garden.
Hibachi, which come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials, were not used for cooking in Japan, rather as room heaters, and perhaps to warm water for tea.