Shikimono: The Culture of Living on the Floor

Core Kyoto.

Removing footwear before proceeding into a home is integral to Japanese culture.

Shikimono, or floor furnishings, emerged to facilitate this custom.

Shikimono include cushions for seating, futon for bedding, and tatami for flooring.

Today, Japanese-style rooms are disappearing from homes due to the westernization of lifestyles and the use of chairs, sofas, and beds.

New initiatives are giving modern relevance to the tradition of shikimono in Kyoto, where ancient culture and customs endure.

It's best to make furnishings that are
convenient, comfortable, and relaxing.

Kyotoites had commonsense notions about how to rework and recycle shikimono.

Those ideas are enjoying a resurgence in today's push towards a sustainable society.

Kyotoites use
their possessions with care.

They'd rather breathe new life
into them than throw them away.

Core Kyoto explores shikimono industry artisans and their ideas for sustaining tradition.

Zabuton are essential furnishings in Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring.

Soft and comfortable cushions are a host's thoughtful gesture to prevent guests from sitting on hard tatami.

Kyoto has its own unique version of these traditional cushions.

The Saga-Arashiyama area, a favorite sightseeing spot, is home to a zabuton specialty shop.

Here, the cushions used in shrines, temples, and fine Japanese restaurants continue to be handmade, as they were years ago.

One feature distinguishing Kyoto's zabuton from those made elsewhere lies in the center of the cushion itself.

The center stitch is
the most recognizable difference.

It resembles an inverted "Y"
with the tail pointing toward the knees.

That is the proper direction to place it.

There are seams on three sides,
but not on the "knee side."

The cushion is strategically placed
before the guest sits.

That is the primary feature
of Kyoto-style "zabuton."

A stitch runs through zabuton to prevent slippage of the interior padding.

In conventional zabuton, this stitch is shaped like a cross.

In Kyoto-made cushions, however, it looks like an inverted "Y."

Kyoto zabuton have seams on three sides, but the front - the side nearest the knees - remains seamless so that when guests sit on one it enhances their overall appearance.

This three-pronged stitch in the center
produces a shadow, which augments the
zabuton's richness.

This, in turn, reflects hospitality.

Shape is another distinctive feature of zabuton created in Kyoto.

They are flat on the bottom but arched on top.

The arched shape helps
disperse the weight.

When someone sits on the cushion,
it flattens evenly - a unique feature.

Zabuton date back some 1,200 years to a time when large sitting mats were placed on tatami, solely for use by Kyoto's nobility.

As their usage spread, they gradually transformed into the zabuton we know today.

Later, the custom of using zabuton is believed to have led to them symbolizing a celebratory atmosphere and respect for guests.

Each zabuton passes through the hands of multiple artisans during its creation.

The key craftsperson is the padder, as this step requires the greatest proficiency.

Around 1.2 kg of cotton padding goes into each cushion.

The padding is initially spread out on top of the zabuton cover.

It is neatly torn off by hand, following the line of the fibers.

Padding is stacked in layers, alternating horizontal and vertical fibers.

First, the horizontal layer...

Next, the vertical layer.

This enhances the overall strength.

The process ends with extra layers in the center to create the arch.

This guarantees resilience when the cushion is used, while guarding against wear and tear.

The padding is then inserted into the cover.

Although the padding is firmly pressed in, the initial stacking process ensures that it maintains its shape.

No tools are used; experienced fingers guide the padding to ensure it fits.

The ability to achieve a perfect fit is the sign of a true craftsperson.

The four corners provide the necessary fulcrums to support the arch, which in turn supports the body weight.

When creating a "zabuton,"
the focus is on the corners, making sure the cotton
fills out each point.

One glance at a corner reveals
the "zabuton" artisan's skill.

The overall balance of the thickness enhances comfort for the user.

The next artisan seals the cover, sewing invisible stitches into the exposed sides.

The final craftsperson adds the inverted Y-shaped stitch to the center.

Sewing through the entire zabuton prevents slippage of the padding.

Finally, a tassel is added to each corner.

The tassels are not merely decorative.

They have dual roles.

One is to hold the padding firmly in place.

The second is to banish evil spirits.

It was once believed that malevolent energy could seep into the cushion's corners to do harm.

The tassels sealed the corners and safeguarded against the entry of such evil.

Kyoto's zabuton are the manifestation of their owners' goodwill toward their guests.

Zabuton sales have decreased along with changes in lifestyles in the last few decades.

In response, they are literally taking on new shapes.

Three-dimensional zabuton provide back support when sitting on the floor.

They elevate the lower back, allowing good posture and boosting comfort during extended usage.

This idea was originated by a shop established in 1919.

Although most cushions are now machine-made, this shop continues to craft them by hand.

Staff realized that more and more Japanese were unable to sit on zabuton for long periods.

Some people were instinctively
folding a second cushion - to slide under their hips
for added support.

We wondered if we could create a
product to provide that needed comfort.

That got us thinking.

The shape of the cushions was inspired by the mini beanbags used in a traditional Japanese game.

The cushions are made by sewing four pieces of cloth together to create a three-dimensional shape.

First, the fabric is carefully cut with an eye to grain and design.

Next, the four pieces are sewn together.

Again, the key point is the padding.

The cushions require the same amount of padding as that used in a thin futon to provide ample support and comfort.

As traditional padding techniques could not be used, it took staff a year of trial and error to learn how to pad the new zabuton.

The finishing touches
are extremely difficult.

The cotton padding becomes
stiff with over-handling.

The challenge is to position it
as quickly and accurately as possible.

The finished product provides excellent resilience.

The padding packs all eight corners, twice the number of a conventional zabuton.

Customers are invited to mix and match fabrics to produce order-made cushions.

The shop offers 1,400 choices among cotton fabrics alone.

Additional options include linen, silk, Nishijin brocade, and fabrics designed in collaboration with overseas brands.

Alternatively, customers may bring in a favored fabric to be reworked.

An obi or kimono rich with memories can enjoy a second life as a one-of-a-kind zabuton.

The cushions can also serve other purposes - as a back rest on a sofa, for example.

The 3-D zabuton come in endless varieties, and the company has even been commissioned by a restaurant and a hotel overseas to create interior items to boost their decor.

Motivated by the realization that cushions do not need corners, the staff created a round version 100 cm in diameter.

They are popular for infant care as well.

Initially marketed as "a special seat for dads," the zabuton received rave reviews as a perfect nap and diaper-changing spot for babies.

These innovations all depend on the skills of zabuton artisans and the pursuit of comfort.

It's best to make furnishings that are
convenient, comfortable, and relaxing.

We provide posture support
during relaxation.

We also cater to personal preference
in colors and patterns.

Kyoto's history of zabuton and of innovation spurs initiatives to restore the cushion's pride of place in today's modern lifestyles.

Shikimono also sustain ascetic practices in Zen temples.

Tenryuu-ji is a Zen temple in Saga-Arashiyama.

Built in 1339, it belongs to the Rinzai school of Buddhism.

The temple has been designated by UNESCO World Heritage as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."

Zazen meditation is a basic daily practice in Zen Buddhism.

Maintaining the same posture for extended periods strains the body.

Special cushions were created to alleviate this strain on practitioners.

The zabuton allows just enough space for the practitioner's hips.

These cushions aren't meant
to support our entire weight.

Rather, they restore
our center of gravity.

We only rest our hips
on the cushion.

And our legs can remain
on the tatami.

That allows our body to return
to its center of gravity.

You neither topple backward
nor forward.

Each session lasts 30 minutes,
followed by a short break.

Then we cross our legs
the other way and start over.

Changing the leg position
allows for longer sessions.

A second type of shikimono is also used in ascetic training.

That's it. It only takes 3 to 5 seconds
to spread it.

Bedtime is considered part of training for ascetic monks.

This specially made light, cotton futon, which monks use year round, has remained unchanged over the years.

The monks slide inside and use their zazen zabuton as pillows.

These items support the austere lifestyle which Zen has long espoused.

These days, people in Japan
sit on chairs.

The day may come when we
no longer require "zabuton" or "shikimono."

I believe it is time to revisit the "shikimono"
culture developed over generations, and find ways to incorporate
it into daily life.

Tatami is a unique floor furnishing symbolizing Japan's floor culture; it is sat on and slept on.

Tatami is depicted in historical documents dating back 1,300 years.

In Kyoto, tatami developed among aristocrats and monks as part of the dynastic culture of the former capital.

When the tea ceremony evolved some 400 years ago, tea rooms were increasingly incorporated into private residences,

with tatami as a fixed element of those rooms.

Conversely, with westernization, Japanese-style rooms began to disappear from Kyoto homes, as did tatami.

Thus, mini tatami were conceived as a means of conveying the charms of their full-sized counterparts.

Mini tatami are chiefly used as display stands for items, such as vases or bric-a-brac, and are adaptable.

Their presence bestows a Japanese feel upon any space.

Founded in 1943, this tatami firm produces both standard-sized and mini tatami.

People are moving away from tatami rooms and
replacing them with their Western counterparts, so in our work we hope to remind
everyone of the value of quality.

We continue to put our all into producing
the best tatami, be they thick or thin - hopeful people will
come to realize their worth.

Mini mats are handmade using the same materials as standard tatami.

Their structure, which is identical to that of standard tatami, incorporates three features: the base, the surface, and the border.

The surface is fastened to the tatami base.

Then the border is attached to the mount.

The border is carefully added to emphasize the design.

Since the mini tatami is used for display purposes, special care is required in the edgework to ensure visibility of the border design, which is usually unseen in tatami flooring.

From this side,
you can see the dark fold, but from this side over here,
you see a clean surface with no fold.

There are innumerable color and design choices for both the surface and border.

The "good fortune" version features a border with Japan's auspicious beckoning cat design.

Other options include seasonal selections, like fireworks and goldfish, both summer motifs.

This factory focuses on mini tatami to gain a foot in the door, encouraging the use of standard-sized tatami which they also produce.

The same item appears different
when placed on a mini tatami.

We hope mini tatami inspire people to find new
appreciation of tatami and Japanese-style rooms.

Futon flourished as part of Japan's tatami culture, and the absorbent cotton futon suit Kyoto's humid climate.

Cotton futon had declined in recent decades with the appearance of beds and lightweight futon made with synthetic fibers.

However, they are increasingly being rediscovered as people spend more time at home during the pandemic.

This factory takes consignments from futon stores throughout Kyoto, reworking and refurbishing cotton futon and zabuton.

Over time, the padding and the fibers
in a new futon become damaged.

We remove and rework the padding
by replacing old and shortened fibers, and keeping the good fibers,
giving the futon new life.

This machine restores old and damaged cotton into fluffy revitalized cotton.

An average of 10 percent of the cotton is unusable and time-worn, so it is replenished and run through the machine.

The cotton is pulled apart, and the deteriorated portions are removed.

The useable cotton is then disinfected and the fibers are realigned.

The cleaned cotton regains resiliency and emerges from the machine in panels.

Now shaped to fit the futon, the cotton is layered and inserted by hand into the cover.

The padding is directed into all four corners.

The aperture is then sewn and sealed.

An old futon which gradually flattens with age gains a second life as fluffy and resilient bedding which looks brand new.

Futon often need replacing to
keep pace with children's rapid growth.

Customers don't have to buy new
ones as their needs change.

The good thing about remaking futon is
we can refurbish and resize them as needed.

The padding from unwanted futon can also be removed and reused to make zabuton.

One futon can produce about five zabuton.

Such repurposing has its own special charm.

The reworking of cotton using wisdom passed along by their forebears illustrates Kyotoites' intrinsic spirit of cherishing possessions.

Kyoto shikimono flourished as a reflection of hospitality toward guests and the pursuit of comfort and ease.

Evolving floor furnishings reflect the city's legacy of wisdom and innovative spirit.