Do you ever wonder where Japanese people lie down to go to sleep? In traditional Japanese houses, there are usually no regular beds found in each of their rooms. You can only see wide space in the middle, with some furniture such as table and cabinet neatly placed at the corner of the room. Even in movies, they sleep on the floor using that soft mattress, not the typical beds we used to see. These are called Futons.
Futon, originating in Japan, is their traditional term to refer to the padded mattress with quilted textile and pillows used primarily as beds. The Japanese culture used these Futons for several running years. Filled with soft materials like cotton, wool and synthetic batting, Futon is made comfortable for sleeping. Futons are usually placed in the floor for people to sleep on, yet, people find it soft and cozy just like the regular beds placed on bed frames. Futons are often seen in Japanese specialty store sold in packages including the padded futon mattress, and the quilted comforter or blanket.
Other than the softness and comfort it provides to the person using it, futons come in handy for keeping the room more spacious and serves the room other purpose other than as bedroom. These can be folded and kept in a cabinet while not in use. Also, by storing them, environmental dirt and dust are kept away from them.
As they become popular, futons are already adapted by the Western culture. It is based on the Japanese bed, yet with some difference. First, Japanese futons are placed on the floor for sleeping. Now, Western people built futon frames, usually made of plywood or metal frames where the padded mattress is placed. This makes the futon of dual purpose. It can be used as a bed during the night and a comfy couch during the day since the frames can be adjusted either on a sitting or reclining position.
Western-style futons are also made with several layers of foam and batting, making it much larger and thicker than the Japanese futons. They come with lovely futon covers. Futon covers make the mattress clean, and these are available in different designs and colors to match with the theme of the room. Futon covers also keep the padded mattress durable for many years.
Nowadays, futons are not only used by the Japanese, but among all sorts of races around the world. People find futon the best form of bed, especially for families that are living in a small house or in an apartment where there is a limited space for some furniture and beds altogether. Perhaps, instead of saying, “I will go to my bed”, people will prefer saying, “I will go to my futon.”