Zabuton

Traditional Japanese chair with a zabuton and a separate armrest

A zabuton (座布団) is a Japanese cushion for sitting. The zabuton is generally used when sitting on the floor, and may also be used when sitting on a chair. Ordinarily any place in Japan where seating is on the floor will be provided with zabuton, for sitting comfort. A typical square zabuton measures 50–70 cm (20–30 inches) on a side and is several centimetres thick when new.

Zabuton are found throughout Japan, and enter many aspects of the culture.

• In Zen meditation, practitioners sit on zafu which is typically placed on top of a zabuton. The zabuton cushions the knees and ankle.
• In sumo, members of the audience throw zabuton toward the ring after an upset.
• In rakugo, performers are not allowed to rise from their zabuton for the duration of their skit.
• In yose, notably on the long-running television show Shōten, comedians receive zabuton as a form of scoring.
• In jidaigeki, according to a stereotype, the boss prisoner in a jail cell receives all the zabuton from his or her cell mates.

See also

• Futon
• Zafu