Zabuton have an extensive and distinguished history in Japan, dating back roughly a thousand years.

Zabutons are rectangular cushions that make sitting or kneeling on the floor for a longer period of time extremely comfortable. They mimic small futons.

Zabuton are now a vital element of daily life in Japan, formerly confined to people with high status professions such as the imperial court or venerated Buddhist monks. They have historically been important in the biggest sumo battles and have become a requirement for prolonged concentration.

1.  What are Zabuton?

2. The Background of Zabuton

3. How Do You Define Zabuton?

4. What Are Zabutons Used For?

5. What are Some Other Ways to Use Zabuton?

They nearly always have a rectangular shape with a slightly rounded top; the weight is absorbed by the middle of the cushions, which helps posture, and they are often decorated with tassels at the corners. Since zabutons are designed to trap body heat, you will be significantly warmer than if you were to merely sit on a tatami floor. In this situation, an easy approach to standing and sitting is suggested because it is considered bad manners to walk on a zabuton and might be offensive if you are a visitor!

Zabuton originated as small square rugs placed on the tatami to sit on, and they are very similar to the tatami mat, which once was utilised as a symbol of a person’s wealth and status. The more familiar and opulent pillows we use now were first created by tailors during the Edo era, which spanned the 17th to the 19th century. They’re certainly not as simple to create as they first appear; the distinctive production method is what gives the zabuton its firmness and stability.

In Japanese, the word zabuton is written using the characters for both seat(座 za) and futon(布団), a substantial floor mattress. A zabuton is essentially a futon used for sitting! Zabutons can also be used cross-legged. The usual way to sit on a zabuton is in the seiza position, which involves sitting with your knees curled underneath you and your tops of feet resting on the floor.

A zabuton’s cushioning and support ease the pressure on the legs and knees, allowing one to sit comfortably for many hours. Zabuton are therefore particularly useful during prayer sessions and religious rituals performed by Buddhist monks and Shinto priests.

Zabutons have a colourful and fascinating past while being largely used for sitting. Crowd used to enthusiastically cheer (or jeer) winners by hurling objects at wrestlers during sumo battles, frequently grabbing the zabuton that was just next to them! Early in the 20th century, the practise was outlawed; however, nowadays, zabuton are tied down to discourage would-be cushion throwers!

A zabuton’s usage as an ergonomic cushion, particularly the ojami series, is one that is often ignored. A zabuton’s handcrafted layers support and improve posture while decreasing strain on the ligaments and joints. You can rest more comfortably and for a longer period of time by using it as a neck support or to elevate the lower limbs.

Zabuton are one of several traditional Japanese accessories that might serve several purposes if you’re trying to makeover a studio apartment. When not in use, a zabuton, like futon bedding, can be tucked behind a shoji screen divider to free up space in your room. Alternatively, you may lay your zabuton on top of a low tansu storage chest to turn it into a seat with storage!