Japan likes keeping things very simple. Case in point: traditional Japanese futon beds. This is the simplest form of living that anyone would think of. A mattress is spread out the floor and almost a similar looking thin mattress on top, a comforter. Yet futons might not look impressive at all, but they are much adored by Japanese.
Futon beds have been a part of Japanese lifestyle as far as the memories goes back. The simplicity of futon beds matches both the small home space in Japan and their way of living. Every morning the Japanese futon bed is rolled kept away in the closet-freeing space for day activities and keeping the floor hygienic.
Japanese futon mattresses are thin which means, they are harder than a firm western mattress. Locals believe that a soft bed will make the body soft and unaligned. Authentic futon mattresses are believed to be good for the body and mind and allow waking up fresher every morning.
According to a study of Japanese health and life, sleeping on a futon is one of the reasons from the six secrets of Japanese health and young looking fresh faces. If you ever travel to Japan, you will not find a single monk sleeping on a soft and fluffier bed. Even the hotels in Japan (to some extent now) offer Japanese futons for sleeping.
And luckily, most foreigners enjoy sleeping on a futon as reported. Moreover, futon beds have become a common practice in most of America. Although, most of them are using western style foam mattresses and some are using the western-traditional mix.
Let’s understand why sleeping on these futon beds is so great and what are the long believed benefits they hold:
Futon Etiquettes and Benefits
People of Japan live a simple life but with rules and regulations, and that involves having standards for almost everything. They even have futon etiquettes, which if not followed are considered as being bad mannered. The etiquettes for futon include folding and putting away the futon in the morning.
If you visiting Japan and staying at someone’s place as a guest, take the step and fold it so you can be considered as good mannered. There are certainly special closets for keeping away the futons but being a guest, it would simply be better if you fold it and leave it in the corner.
Japanese futon beds have abundance of benefits, however the major and primary we will discuss are; health benefits. Here are a few:
- Sleeping on a traditional Japanese futon mattress improves blood circulation
- Japanese wake up fresh and healthy every morning-futons prevent them from having backaches and neck pain. Both the conditions can keep you from spending a good day, while sleeping on a futon keeps you free from all such pains.
- Sleeping on a futon keeps your body aligned in the correct posture. Keeping the body posture correct keeps the joints right and does not allow them to loosen up.
- Sleeping on a futon reduces the risk of scoliosis.
- People sensitive to allergies such as asthmatic.
A recent study has shown Canadian and American retirement houses are showing preferences to Japanese beds because of all such health advantages. Despite the western-traditional mix, Japanese still believe in staying with the authentic and traditional Japanese shikibutons.
Japanese shikbutons offer health benefits to all groups of ages, including elderly people and children’s. However, the people that have join issues and trouble in getting up from the ground should not use futons. Futon beds have advanced and offer a variety of fillings such as cotton, silk, foam etc.
Depending upon your comfort level, you can choose the thickness of the futon and have the futon custom made. Your choices go unlimited, but sleeping on a futon keeps you healthier every day.