Zabuton

A zabuton (kanji: 座布団, hiragana: ざぶとん, 'sitting futon', Japanese pronunciation: [d͡za̠bɯ̟ᵝtõ̞ɴ] ZAH-boo-tawn) is a cushion for sitting that is commonly used in traditional Japanese settings. Zabuton is a Japanese loanword that is also sometimes used in Western culture to describe the zaniku, a flat mat that a zafu is placed on.

The zabuton is generally used while sitting in a seiza or agura position and may also be used when sitting on a chair. Zabuton are used during meditation such as zazen. In a more casual setting, the zabuton can be used in conjunction with a zaisu, a type of Japanese legless chair, with or without an accompanying kyōsoku (脇息), a Japanese-style armrest. Ordinarily, any place in Japan where seating is on the floor will be provided with zabuton for sitting comfort. The length and width of a typical zabuton is approximately 2 square feet (0.19 m²) to 3 square feet (0.28 m²) and usually an inch or two thick, but can vary in thickness. They are sometimes made with threaded embroidery and tassels on the four corners and at the center of the zabuton, and often with a removable outer cover that can be washed separately.