Shaped almost like a miniature futon, the Zabuton mattress makes sitting or kneeling on the floor for long periods of time more comfortable.
In the past, zabuton was only for people with high status in society such as court officials or monks, but now this item has become a popular item in the daily lives of Japanese people. Ban and is indispensable in meditation as well as major sumo matches.
Zabuton is usually rectangular; in the middle bears the load to support the sitting posture. Zabuton has the ability to keep warm so you will feel much warmer than sitting directly on a tatami mat. Stepping on the zabuton cushion is considered impolite and if you are a guest it will be considered rude. So please pay special attention when standing up and sitting down!
The traditional way to sit on the zabuton is to sit on your knees and place your legs underneath the instep of the table. feet pressed to the floor.
Closely related to tatami mats – which represent a person’s power and wealth – zabuton was originally just a mat. Small square mats are placed on tatami to sit on. During the Edo period from the 17th to the 19th century, tailors began to stuff cotton to make sitting comfortable and create the popular and luxurious seat cushions we use today.
The factor that makes zabuton sturdy and stable is the unique way of creating it. Zabuton is made from many layers of cotton folded together. Although it sounds simple, the process is much more complicated and requires skill and patience to complete. Zabuton covers are usually made of cotton or silk.
There are many styles of zabuton with their own characteristics. For example, Kyoto zabuton cushions have sampo-toji, or three-cornered stitches, in the center of the cushion. This is a sign to determine which side of the mattress is on top. As for high-end zabuton, you will see tassels at the four corners that mean luck.
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