Fabric: Seikai

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Fabric: Shima

Fabric: Sakura

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Fabric: Kumotori

Kyoto Zabuton Cushion - Aizome-Fu

Name: Kyoto Zabuton Cushion - Aizome-Fu
Brand: Takaokaya
Price: 11,000 JPY
Availability: InStock

A Heritage of Comfort, Refined for Modern Living
With a history spanning nearly 1,000 years, the zabuton (座布団) holds a distinguished place in Japanese culture.

In earlier times, it was far more than a floor cushion—its presence symbolized status and authority. It was reserved for members of the imperial court, including emperors and shoguns, as well as esteemed Buddhist priests.

Today, it has quietly transitioned into daily life across Japan. While offering comfort, it also reflects deeper cultural values: kutsurogi—a gentle sense of relaxation and ease—and omotenashi, the art of welcoming others with sincere care and understated grace.

This piece features our Aizome-fu fabric series, inspired by the deep, captivating hues of traditional indigo dye (aizome). Revered for centuries and derived from the leaves of the Indigofera tinctoria plant, indigo embodies a quiet beauty. The Aizome-fu series reinterprets this enduring aesthetic—without the use of actual indigo.

A heritage of elegance, softly woven into modern living.

¥11,000

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Product Details

Size: S: 50x55cm, M: 55x59cm, L: 59x63cm, XL: 64x68cm

Material (Fabric): 100% Cotton

Filling: 100% Cotton

Weight: S: 1.2kg, M: 1.4kg, L: 1.6kg, XL: 1.9kg

Note: Tassel: 100% Silk *Please note: Tassel colors are selected by Takaokaya. If you have a specific color preference, please leave a note with your order
Made in Japan

Lead Time

All of our products are made-to-order. Each piece is handcrafted specifically for you once your order is confirmed. Please allow approximately 14-20 business days for production before your item is shipped.

Lead times may vary depending on current workshop volume and specific customizations, such as embroidery, Hanakomon, or water-repellent finishing.
Delivery times vary by country and carrier.
If you have a specific deadline, please feel free to contact us (intl@takaoka-kyoto.jp). We will do our best to accommodate your request and expedite your order where possible.

Our craftsmen and women carefully craft each piece to ensure the highest level of comfort, and we thank you for your patience while awaiting its arrival.

Care

This product contains cotton filling. To ensure its longevity, please follow these care instructions:

Washing

Do not wash at home. This item is not suitable for home laundering.
Spot Cleaning: For minor stains, gently dab the area with a damp cloth as soon as possible. Avoid rubbing harshly, as this may cause the color to bleed or fade.
Professional Cleaning: If deep cleaning is necessary, please consult a professional cleaner specializing in futons or heavy bedding.

Drying

Sun drying is possible. However, please be aware that dark-colored items may fade if exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods.

Storage

Store in a well-ventilated area. * Before long-term storage, we recommend drying the item in the sun to remove any lingering moisture.
Moisture Prevention: Cotton filling is sensitive to humidity. To prevent moisture buildup and mold, do not store in airtight plastic bags. Instead, use a breathable material such as a non-woven fabric bag.

Important Notes on Product

Handcrafted Quality: Each of our products is handcrafted by skilled artisans—from cutting and sewing to filling and finishing. As a result, there may be slight variations in size, shape, weight, and firmness between individual pieces. We appreciate your understanding of these unique, handmade qualities.
Natural Wear and Cushioning: Since this product is filled with cotton, the degree of compression over time will vary depending on the frequency of use, the user’s body type, and how the item is handled. Please understand that settling (loss of loft) is a natural characteristic of cotton filling and should be expected over time.
Static and Fiber Migration: Due to the nature of cotton filling, friction against clothing or other fabrics may cause static electricity. This can occasionally cause fine cotton fibers to work their way through the outer fabric. We appreciate your understanding of this material trait.

About aizome-fu

Aizome (藍染め) is the Japanese word for indigo dye. The dye is naturally extracted from the leaves of the Indigofera Tinctoria plant, which creates a beautiful indigo shade of blue. Our Aizome-Fu fabrics with traditional Japanese patterns are meant to replicate that same beautiful look that the indigo dye creates.

Kumotori Cloud

Take Bamboo

Sakura

Asanoha

Seikai

Shima

about zabuton

a piece of inherited Japanese hospitality

Zabuton cushions are traditional Japanese cushions with nearly 1000 years of history. Originally, zabuton cushion symbolises a person's high status, and were only used by people such as theemperor and members of the imperial court, or most revered of Buddhist monks. Now, zabuton cushions are part of Japanese daily life and are central to Japanese omotenashi culture of hospitality. Our Kyoto zabuton cushions are still handmade using traditional futon techniques but innovated for greater stability and comfort. They are very versatile and can be used in different spaces, such as the modern living room.

Come relax with us and enjoy the moment with our Kyoto Zabuton, crafted masterfully to reflect Kyoto’s rich cultural way of life. Use one of our zabuton cushions and you’ll never want an ordinary cushion again!

Learn More >>> History

relaxation in different styles

When times change, a piece of inherited Japanese hospitality tradition remains. Today, zabutons are used daily for floor seating to provide comfort and relaxation in modern Japan. Zabutons can be found not only in Japanese households but also in meditation scenes to increase mindfulness.

Zabuton cushions are traditional Japanese cushions with nearly 1000 years of history. Now, zabuton cushions are part of Japanese daily life and are central to Japanese omotenashi culture of hospitality. WELCOMING THE GUEST

welcoming the guest

Serve the zabuton when guests visit to home as our Omotenashi hospitality.

Daily relaxation

Have a seat on the zabuton and spend a nice time to relax.

Be mindfulness

Gaining popularity for meditation use to take care of our self.

Why can we relax so well?

The Importance of Our Craftsmen

The craftsman's experience and care of "thinking about the user and putting inner filling", which cannot be achieved by machine production, create "comfort" and "relaxation".

The secret of relaxation

Stuffing by skillful craftsmen

The stuffing stage is one of the most important parts of the production process. It does not only determine the comfort level of the finished products, but it is also what allows the product to keep its integrity even with frequent use. The zabuton has a large amount of filling in the center part where the weight is applied. Our skilled craftsmen are concerned with the longevity of their creations, so they would like to make sure that even in the future, each product is still as comfortable as the day it was made.
The craftsman's experience and care of "thinking about the user and putting inner filling", which cannot be achieved by machine production, create "comfort" and "relaxation".

“Omotenashi”: The Spirit of Kyoto hospitality

Three Characteristics of Kyoto Zabuton

”Sampo-toji”: Three-pronged stitch

The three-pronged stitch on the top of a zabuton, known as “toji,” has the function of keeping the
cotton evenly distributed. Most zabuton use a “toji” in the shape of a cross, but Kyoto zabuton use
the three-pronged stitch shown the picture. The tail of the “Y” shape points to the front of the zabuton for the user’s convenience. When you serve the zabuton to your guest, you do not mistake the direction of the zabuton by looking at this stitch.

”Kamaboko-gata”: Dome shape

The underside of the zabuton cushion is flat, which ensures the stability of the cushion. However, the top side of the zabuton is filled to create a dome-like shape, reminiscent of the shape of a Japanese fishcake called kamaboko. This shape not only provides plushness but it also prevents the zabuton cushion from thinning too quickly, even with frequent use. The plump and natural curves of the zabuton cushion's shape indicate the excellent craftsmanship of the artisan.

”Sumi-fusa”: Tasselled Corners

The corner tassel stitches on a zabuton cushion are called “sumi-fusa”. It does not only function as a decoration, but it is also a traditional technique used to make sure that the cotton filling does not come out from the corners of the cushion. In ancient Japan, it is believed that putting tassels on the corners of the cushions prevents evil from possessing the user.

Create with takaokaya's craftsmen

Takaokaya believes that by having customers participate in the manufacturing process, such as selecting materials, we can make our Kutsurogi products with a special feeling that is entirely relaxing. We also believe that the experience of creating together with them will promote relaxation and lead our customers to attach to our products. Those are not able to be provided by ready-made products.