Futon

A futon is a traditional style of Japanese bedding. It is designed to be both functional and flexible for living in small spaces. A complete set includes two main components: the shikibuton and the kakebuton. The shikibuton is a thin mattress used for sleeping. The kakebuton is a warm quilt used as a cover. Because both pieces are pliable, they can be folded and stored in a large cupboard. This allows a single room to serve many purposes. It can be a bedroom at night and a living area during the day.

Traditionally, these bedding sets are laid upon tatami mats. Tatami are resilient flooring mats made of rush. They provide a much softer base than stone or wooden floors. These mats also play a role in moisture control. A single tatami mat can absorb and re-release up to half a liter of moisture. This helps manage the environment of the room. A standard tatami mat measures 1 by 0.5 ken. This is just under 1 by 2 meters in size. This dimension is very similar to a Western twin bed.

Maintaining a futon requires regular airing to ensure cleanliness. Owners must air the bedding to prevent mold from developing. This process also keeps the futon free of mites. In Japan, it is common to see futons hanging over balconies to dry in the sun. For those unable to hang them outside, a device called a futon dryer can be used. If a futon does not dry well, it can become heavy and moldy. The shikibuton is usually thin, similar to a Western mattress topper. If a sleeper requires more cushion, they may layer multiple shikibuton together.

Materials used in futon making have changed throughout history. Before recycled cotton cloth was widely available, commoners used different fillings. They used stitched crinkled paper stuffed with fibers. These fibers came from beaten dry straw, cattails, or silk waste. Later, makers used patchwork recycled cotton quilted with bast fiber. Eventually, cotton became the standard filling material. Today, manufacturers also use wool and synthetic materials. These modern fillings change how the bedding feels. Traditional cotton fillings feel heavier than feather or synthetic options.

The accessories used with a futon also have specific traditions. Pillows are known as makura in Japan. Traditional makura are generally firmer than Western pillows. They are often filled with materials like beans, buckwheat chaff, or bran. Modern versions may use plastic beads. These materials allow the pillow to mold to the shape of the head. In the past, some women used wooden headrests. These were used specifically to protect their hairstyles. During the 1800s and early 1900s, people also wore kimono-shaped bedclothes called yogi.

Futons eventually moved beyond Japan and became popular in North America during the mid-1970s. Western-style futons often differ from the Japanese version. They frequently resemble low, wooden sofa beds. These versions are often much thicker than a traditional shikibuton. Because of this thickness, they are too bulky to fold double and stow easily. Instead, they are often placed on a slatted frame. This frame helps air circulate around the mattress. This is important in centrally-heated houses where indoor air can be very dry.

The construction of these mattresses shares some history with American programs. The method uses cotton batting covered in cotton ticking. This is held in place with hand-sewn tufting, which are stitches that go through the entire thickness. This exact structure was used in the United States' 1940-1941 Cotton Mattress Program. That program was designed to use excess cotton production. It provided subsidized materials so people could make their own cotton mattresses. This shows how different cultures have used similar methods to manage resources and bedding.