Traditional Japanese Beds

Traditional Japanese beds may seem sparse to Westerners, consisting mainly of a simple mattress laid out on the floor. This bedding arrangement, however, allows the Japanese to use any room in the house as sleeping quarters.

Futons

The Japanese use a mattress called a futon as their traditional form of bedding, using this mattress to sleep directly on the floor. According to Asian Lifestyle Design, sleepers use foam or cotton mattresses paired with a kakebuton, or blanket and a small buckwheat-stuffed pillow called a makura.

Storage

The Japanese do not leave their futons out during daytime hours. They store the mattresses in a closet, laying them out only for sleep and then returning them to an oshiire, or closet, the next morning, according to Japan-Guide. This allows them to make maximum use of their home's floor space during the day. This is especially helpful given the often tiny space available in Japan.

Care and Cleaning

Futon owners keep their futons clean by hanging them on a balcony rail and beating the dust out of them at regular intervals, according to Asian Lifestyle Design. Hanging the futons in the sun also gives them a chance to dry, discouraging mold formation.

References

• Japan-Guide: Japanese Furniture
• Asian Lifestyle Design: The Pros and Cons of the Japanese Futon