The requested URL /?p=759 was not found on this server.See, that’s what the app is perfect for.Clear all selections Departments Futons $ to $ Clear all selections $ to $ Clear price Mid-Century Modern Daybed (Assorted Colors) | Espresso Leatherette Twin Daybed with Twin Trundle | Lauren Camel Back Antique Dark Bronze Daybed | Layton Futon (Assorted Colors) | CordaRoy's Bean Bag Chair - Full Sleeper, Terry Corduroy (Assorted Colors) | Sophia Curved Back Antique White Daybed | Big Tree Fargo Sofa Sleeper | Cameron Camel Back Antique Cherry Brown Daybed | posted by John Spacey, July 04, 2012 Sometimes Japan likes to keep things simple. Case in point: Japanese futon beds. They may not look impressive but they're much adored in Japan.Bed Culture Shock After a long day of onsen, touring temples or urban exploring you return to your room — and more culture shock.Most hotels in Japan have western style beds. Ryokan, minshuku and hostels may have Japanese futon.
Japanese futon are thin. This means they're effectively harder than a firm western mattress.Locals will tell you that a soft bed makes your body soft. Futon are thought to be good for body and mind. You won't catch a Japanese monk sleeping on a fluffy bed.Luckily, most foreign travellers enjoy futon and report an excellent night's sleep. The Futon LandscapeFuton must be aired out in sunlight on a regular basis to prevent them from becoming moldy.As a result of futon culture, buildings in Japan never have a regulation against hanging clothes and beds from windows. The Japanese sense of mottainai means that most people prefer drying their clothes by hanging them.Japan's urban landscape is a sea of futons on sunny days.Many people beat their futon with a special bamboo stick called a futon tataki to shake the dust off. In rainy season, there aren't many nice days to air out your futon. Some people own futon dryers for such occasions.Futon EtiquetteFutons should be folded up and put away in the morning.
This prevents them from molding. It also frees up space for use during the day.If you stay at a ryokan you can leave your futon in the morning — someone will fold it for you. Many guests fold it themselves out of habit or to free space.If you're a guest at someone's home it's considered good manners to fold your own futon in the morning. Japanese homes have special deep closets for futon. However, as a guest it's best to fold it and leave it in a corner of the room out of the way.Futon Terms to KnowIn Japan, both the futon mattress and futon comforter (blanket) can be referred to as "futon". Other terms to be aware of include:ShikibutonA mat that sits on top of the futon mattress. It's usually stuffed with cotton, wool or synthetic fiber.As mentioned, this can also be called a "futon". The comforter cover often has a net that allows air to flow through on one side. This side should always face up.MakuraA small pillow that's often filled with beans or foam.TatamiTatami are traditional Japanese mat flooring.
In Japan, the type of bed you get is driven by the type of flooring you have. Futon are for tatami. Western style beds are used on western style flooring.ZabutonZabuton are thin mats for sitting on. They are often thrown by angry fans at sumo matches. 17 Classic Features of Japanese Houses Tatami: Japan's Love Affair With Sleeping On The Floor What is a Shoji Screen? 27 Tips For Renting An Apartment in Japan 16 Traditional Japanese Fashions Tokyo Weather By Month: When Is Best To Visit? Recently on Japan Talk What is a Gokon? Prearranged parties in Japan that have an equal number of men and women. Benzaiten: Japanese Goddess of Love The goddess of everything that flows including water, music, words, eloquence and love. Meet the Gods: 13 Japanese Kami There are said to be eight million kami. Kami can be good or bad. They can be incredibly powerful or relatively benign. What is a Miyamairi? A rite of passage for newborn babies in Japan — their first visit to a shrine.
102 Things To Try In Japan 104 Things To Do In Kyoto 81 Interesting Cities In Japan 67 Reasons You Won't Like Japan 30 Things To Do In Japan At Night 127 Things To Do In JapanTHE futon mattress, a version of the sleep mat traditionally used in Far Eastern countries, is becoming a popular alternative for many Americans. In Japan, futons are usually about 2 inches thick and are used in layers on the floor. American versions usually have the same construction, cotton batting held by hand-sewn tufts and covered with heavy cotton, but are 6 to 8 inches thick. In Asia, the mattresses are simply rolled up and stored during the day. However, in America, convertible wooden frames are being sold and used with the futons during the day. Futon mattresses were first popularized in the United States in the mid-1970's and began as a cottage industry. ''In the beginning we wanted everything all natural and pure, including what we slept on,'' said Randi Young, president of New Moon Inc., a Boston futon manufacturer.
''So I learned how to make futons from a Japanese woman and began to make a 2-inch version for myself and my friends in my own apartment.'' Mrs. Young incorporated her business in 1980 and now owns two retail outlets in the Boston area as well as a wholesale and mail-order business. Mrs. Young expects to gross more than $2 million in sales this year. ''Futons started as a life-style item for many of us who were involved in Eastern psychology,'' says Irv Wieder, a former sculptor who, with his wife, Tamara, owns the Arise Futon Mattress Company. Mr. Weider estimates that he will sell close to 8,000 mattresses this year in his two Manhattan retail stores. As futon makers have proliferated, so have the varieties. Most manufacturers now offer all standard mattress sizes, as well as custom versions for yacht bunks or children's beds. The classic all-cotton hand-tied construction is still the most popular, but versions are made with horsehair, foam, wool and even metal springs.
Some manufacturers use machines to stuff and tie the mattresses, others use hand methods, especially in all-cotton constructions. ''Futons are clearly bedding products which are subject to state regulations on content labeling and flammability,'' said Nancy Butler, vice president for communications at the National Association of Bedding Manufacturers. ''At this point conventional bedding manufacturers are not involved in the business at all. We have no shipment figures on futons.'' According to the Cotton Batting Institute, cotton used inside the mattresses must undergo treatment with boric acid for flame retardancy. Tony Marolo, assistant regional director at the northeastern regional office of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said all futons must have filling content labels on them, as must any bedding product. ''Because there are no quality standards for covered mattress and it is difficult to tell just what is inside, you really have to shop around,'' said Arthur Greenspan, executive secretary of the Cotton Batting Institute.
''For futons, the only thing you can really do is to lie down on them. Then buy as expensive a mattress as you can afford and hope.'' The mattresses have caught the attention of some major department stores in recent years. J. C. Penney and Conran's include futons and futon furniture in their current catalogues. All-cotton futons begin around $90 for a twin, $115 for a full, $135 for a queen and $180 for a king. Many futon stores carry frames in a variety of styles and woods as well as all-cotton sheets, quilts and futon covers. Here are some stores specializing in futons. All will do custom orders; many have catalogues and offer guarantees. Arise Futon Mattress Company, 37Monday through Saturday 11 A.M. to 7Sunday from 1 to 5 P.M. at 265 West 72d Street, 212-496-8410. Monday through Saturday 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., Thursday 10 A.M. to 8 P.M., Sunday noon to 5 P.M. Laytner's Linens, 2265 Broadway at through Saturday 10 A.M. to 6:30 P.M., Thursday 10 A.M. to 7:30