Futons: A Brief History
Futons are originally from Japan, shaped like bed mattresses but used and made than in their home country.
- Japanese Futons
Japanese futons are two inches 5 cm) thick and filled with cotton and/or synthetic batting. They are typically flat and are designed to be spread out on tatami flooring. Tatami flooring is a special kind of flooring indigenous to Japanese architecture. The futon mattress (shikibuton), a comforter (kakebuton) or blanket (moku), a summer towel-like blanket (towelket), and a bean- or plastic bead-filled pillow (makura) are included in Japanese futons sets as they sold that way. The western bed set is equivalent to this.
Japanese futons must be left to air in the sunlight when not put away and usually stored in a closet. to keep them in shape, these futons are typically beaten with bamboo.
- Western Futons
Western futons are stuffed with multiple layers of foam and/or batting with no springs and closer to mattresses. Western futons are adesigned in the fashion of a sofa-be to be used as a couch and a bed and placed on an adjustable frame resembling that of a couch. They are cheap compared to regular mattresses or bed and are constructed larger and thicker than Japanese futons.
Now, western futons are common in Japan. These futons are stuffed primarily with cotton, handmade and have no synthetic filling. In Japan, western futons are sold as “earth-friendly,” and are not composed of any chemicals whatsoever, distinguishing them from the traditional bed set.
Like sleeping bags, futons are very comfortable and can also serve as portable or transportable beds, depending on their size and weight. They can more easily be repaired than a traditional mattress even though they can be damaged. It is because its interior matting is packed in a structured, layered way. Futons are preferable to people on-the-go or living in small spaces since they are most convenient and economical. So nowadays, futons are not only for Japanese only.