Zabuton

Traditional Japanese chair with a zabuton and a separate armrest

A zabuton (座布団) is a Japanese cushion for sitting. The zabuton is generally used when sitting on the floor and may also be used when sitting on a chair. In a more casual setting, the zabuton can be used in conjunction with a zaisu (座椅子), a type of Japanese legless chair, with or without an accompanying kyousoku (脇息), a Japanese-style armrest. Ordinarily, any place in Japan where seating is on the floor will be provided with zabuton for sitting comfort. A typical zabuton measures 50–70 cm (20–30 inches) square and is several centimetres thick when new.

Zabuton are found throughout Japan and enter many aspects of the culture.

• In Zen meditation, practitioners sit on zafu, which is typically placed on top of a zabuton. The zabuton cushions the knees and ankles.
• In sumo, members of the audience throw zabuton toward the ring after the upset of a yokozuna by a lower-ranked wrestler, despite the dangers.^[1]
• In rakugo, performers are not allowed to rise from their zabuton for the duration of their skit.
• In yose, notably on the long-running television show Shōten, comedians receive zabuton as a form of scoring.
• In jidaigeki, according to a stereotype, the boss prisoner in a jail cell receives all the zabuton from his or her cell mates.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zabuton.

• Futon
• Zafu

References

v t e Elements of Japanese architecture Styles Buddhist Buke Daibutsuyō Gassho Giyōfū Hachiman Hirairi Hiyoshi (also called Hie) Irimoya Ishi-no-ma Kasuga Kibitsu Nagare Ōbaku Zen Setchūyō Shinden Shinmei Shinto Shoin Sukiya Sumiyoshi Taisha Wayō Zenshūyō A model of Himeji Castle Building types Butsuden Castle Chashitsu Dō Haiden Heiden Hokora Hōkyōintō Kura Kyōzō Machiya Main Hall Minka Setsumatsusha Shōrō Tahōtō Tō Yagura Roof styles Hidden roof Irimoya Karahafu Structural Burdock piling Chigi Disordered piling Engawa Fusuma Hisashi Irimoya-zukuri Irori Jinmaku Katōmado Katsuogi Kuruwa Mokoshi Moya Nakazonae Namako wall Nightingale floor Onigawara Ranma Shōji (see also washi) Sōrin Tamagaki Tatami Tokonoma Tokyō Tsumairi Shibi Gates and approaches Genkan Kairō Karamon Mon Nijūmon Niōmon Rōmon Sandō Sanmon Sōmon Torii (Mihashira) Rooms Chashitsu Daidokoro Mizuya Shoin Toilets Washitsu Furnishings Butsudan Byōbu Chabudai Emakimono Furo Futon Getabako Kaidan dansu Kamado Kamidana Kichō Kotatsu Misu Noren Sudare Tamaya Tansu Zabuton Zafu Outdoor objects Chōzuya/Temizuya Ishigantō Komainu Tōrō Measurements Ken Koku Ri Shaku Sun Groups Architectural Institute of Japan Japan Institute of Architects Metabolist Movement See also Groups of Traditional Buildings Iki Japanese garden (zen) National Treasures (castles residences shrines temples) Ryokan Sentō Wabi-sabi Yabo