Japanese Beds Tatami Mats, Silk Comforters, Shoji Screens & Lamps
When purchasing a tatami mat, the main aspects you will consider are the price and aesthetics. Like any piece of furniture, you will find mats for every budget and every taste. In the end, it comes down to what you want it for, how you will use it. Whether you have a tight budget or if you put comfort and look first, here are examples of mats you can easily buy online. read more
Thinner version of a tatami mat, a **bamboo rug** can be used to furnish and brighten any interior. It also works well as a base for your futon. read more
Noren are Japanese traditional curtains composed of one or more vertical panels. In Japan, you can see them in front of shops and restaurants with the name or logo of the place or as a protection from the sun, heat, cold, wind and dust. Noren curtains are actually a sign that the place is open for business. They can also be used as room dividers (if you are interested in room dividers, see our post on shoji screens as well as doorway or window curtains. As a room partition, it won’t be your way since it is usually split so you can easily walk through. read more
If you are used to camping, you already know the benefits of sleeping on a flat surface. We easily adopt the “western habit” of slumbering atop a frame, box spring and mattress. Today’s typical mattress tends to be so thick and plump but if you are researching Japanese beds and futons, our traditional mattresses probably don’t fit your idea of a healthy and comfortable sleep. read more
A buckwheat pillow is a natural and ecofriendly product. Filled with buckwheat hulls (sobakawa in Japanese), it has been used in Japan and other Asian countries for centuries. It has then become very popular in western countries for its health properties. You will easily be able to personalize your pillow and make it your own by adding another pillow case or a decorative cover. read more
If the design and especially the sturdiness of your shoji screen are your priorities, I recommend that you have a look at the products Oriental Furniture has to offer. This company specializes in authentic Asian furniture with a large collection of modern and traditional Japanese shoji partitions. Their room dividers present superior features like a durable fiber reinforcement paper screen and two-way hinges panels. They are very elegant and they all come in different sizes and colors so the choice is vast. read more
Shoji lamps are traditionally composed of a wooden frame and rice paper shade panels. They instantly add a traditional Japanese look to your interior and set an atmosphere in the room. They provide a soft and non-aggressive light for the most relaxing ambiance. Floor lamp, table lamp or even hanging lamp, they come in various shapes and sizes and you will find a lot of different designs. read more
A Platform bed is composed of a bed frame with slats or a solid panel to support a mattress or a futon. There is no need for an additional box-spring which makes it economical and solves the problem of the squeaky springs. Like any piece of furniture, they come in a variety of designs and the Asian style is the most popular. read more
A Japanese zabuton is a large, usually square-shaped cushion used to sit or kneel on the floor. It brings support when sitting crossed-legged and is designed to avoiding any pressure on your ankles and knees. It is traditionally used to sit on the floor, to enjoy the warmth of a kotatsu table for instance. You will also need zabuton cushions for meditation. In that case, you can use it alone or as a mat to support meditation bench or meditation cushion (zafu) for more comfort. read more
In the Japanese tradition, a tatami mat is a woven rice straw mat used as floor covering. Luxury item and sign of wealth, they were used in Japanese rituals and ceremonies. The number of mats and their arrangement in a room were not left to chance – a “T” shape disposition being auspicious and “+” shape being negative and a sign of bad fortune. read more
A folding shoji screen is a particular type of Japanese room divider. It offers an efficient and elegant way of separating distinct areas. You can use it to divide the main room of your small apartment, to decorate your home, to hide a storage area and even to add a touch of class and privacy in your work place. This very versatile and decorative item can transform a space and follow your creativity. read more
In the purest Japanese tradition, a kotatsu is a low wooden table covered with a futon and set over a charcoal heater in the flooring. Kotatsu tables are still used nowadays but the materials can vary. They usually include an electric heater built in the frame. You can sit on a cushion with your legs under the table to keep warm during the cold months. read more
Most find this floor mattress is so comfortable, that they don’t need additional padding, but if you do, consider buying a tri-fold as under-padding to accustom your body to its new style of sleeping. read more
Tansu are traditional Japanese storage furniture. They were initially used to store clothing, futon or even food. In the Japanese tradition, tansu chests would give information about the social background and professional occupation of its owner. These chests are built with or without drawers and they sometimes include wheels attached for more mobility since they can be quite heavy. read more
Unlike its western counterpart, a Japanese platform bed is composed of many different elements to ensure an enjoyable and overall improved sleep. Here is what you need to know to put together your first Japanese bed. read more
A kakebuton comforter, also known as “kakefuton” or “kake futon”, is a crucial element of a traditional Japanese bed. Similar to western duvets, kakebutons are traditionally made of **hand-pulled silk** and are thus a great choice if you suffer from allergies because of its resistance to moisture and inability to host creatures like dustmites and mildew. read more