Dakimakura
A dakimakura (抱き枕) (from daki (抱き) "to embrace or cling" and makura (枕) "pillow") is a type of large pillow from Japan. The word is often translated in English simply as "hug pillow". From a semantic standpoint, dakimakura are no different from Western orthopedic body pillows, and are commonly used by Japanese youth as "security objects".[1] However, from a western perspective, the word "dakimakura" is primarily used to indicate the popularized image of love pillows with graphic illustrations of female characters of a bishōjo style.
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[edit] History
During the 1990s, dakimakura began to intertwine with otaku culture, leading to the production of pillow covers featuring printed images of Bishōjo from various anime or galge. Many of these early otaku dakimakura covers were released through Cospa, a character goods and apparel store which continues to release official dakimakura covers to this day.
Sometimes called a Dutch wife, although the original definition of this phrase is closer to the chikufujin.
[edit] In popular culture
In the 2010 episode "Klaus and Greta" of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, American actor James Franco, playing a fictionalized version of himself, is in love with a dakimakura and starts a fake relationship with Jenna Maroney (played by Jane Krakowski) to counteract rumors.
[edit] References
- ^ Galbraith, Patrick W. (2009). The Otaku Encyclopedia: an Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan. Tokyo: Kodansha International.
[edit] Further reading
- Kohler, Chris (February 6, 2004). "Getting in Bed With the Customer". Wired News. http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2004/02/62176. Retrieved 2010-08-30. - An article on the release of a Japanese limited edition Xbox, which includes a Kasumi (from Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball) dakimakura.
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[edit] External links
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