Zabuton is an essential part of the Japanese lifestyle, closely related to traditional cultures such as the tea ceremony and zazen, and they influence each other. You may sit on a zabuton during zazen training or events at a Zen temple. Monks sit on zabutons as well when chanting sutras or preaching for long periods of time.
Chashitsu where sado (the tea ceremony) is held is a Japanese-style room with tatami mats, and zabutons may be used.
It can be said that zabuton has been deeply rooted in Japan’s traditional culture and lifestyle from ancient times to the present day.
What is Chashitsu? The smallest extraordinary space
Zabuton and traditional entertainment in Japan
Zabuton plays an important role in Japanese traditional performing arts, accomplishments and ceremonies as well.
Sado (Tea ceremony)
Sado (the tea ceremony) is a traditional Japanese tea ritual. Zabutons are used in tea ceremonies as well.
In a tea ceremony, both the tea master and the guest sit in seiza while making the tea and having sweets. Seiza, where you sit with your legs together and your knees bent, has a meaning of showing courtesy and sincerity, as well as preparing your mind and body. On the other hand, folding your legs for long periods of time can make your legs tired and numb, so using a zabuton makes you more comfortable and helps concentrate on the ritual.
Although you may sit directly on the tatami mats, zabutons are especially used to entertain guests. This consideration brings each other closer psychologically, making the tea ceremony peaceful and smooth.
Kabuki
In kabuki, a traditional Japanese theatre, zabutons are laid out for the audience seats. Audience members sit on zabutons while watching the play, and the placement of zabutons takes the dramatic presentation and distance from the actors into consideration.
Nohgaku
Nohgaku is performed on a special stage called a Noh-butai, and the audience members watch the performance while sitting on zabutons.
Rakugo
Rakugo is a form of entertainment in which storytellers narrate stories to an audience. Zabutons are laid out for the audience seats, and Meotoban (夫婦判), which is particularly large, is placed on the dais where the storytellers sit. This is a part of stage presentation, but at the same time, it also acts as a buffer for receiving the storyteller, who makes gestures.
Storytellers perform “zabuton-gaeshi,” beating a zabuton to express emotions. The storyteller watches the audience’s reaction to the zabuton-gaeshi and coordinates rhythm of the performance to be in sync with the audience.
Additionally, the storyteller performs many roles alone with limited props, changing body direction and collapsing while sitting. Thus, there is a possibility to end up falling out if the zabuton is too small.
By the way, in the popular segment “Ogiri” of the TV show “Shoten”, the rakugo performers sit on zabutons. If they say something interesting, they are given 1 or more zabutons. Conversely, if they say something trivial, their zabutons are confiscated. When they reach 10 zabutons, they are congratulated and win prizes.
It can be said that zabuton is one of the important stage equipment in rakugo.
Sumo
Sumo, the Japanese martial art, is not just a competition, but a sacred ritual. Also in sumo, the audience is basically seated on zabutons. The height of the dohyo (sumo ring) is approximately 55 cm, so if you sit on a chair and watch the match, the dohyo will be hidden, blocking the view from the rear. In addition, zabutons are spread close to the ring, so wrestlers who are thrown may fall onto the audience, creating an impressive spectacle. Additionally, in the event of an upset, zabutons will liven up the atmosphere. There are ratings for sumo wrestlers, and for example, when a wrestler from hiramaku performs the giant-killing to defeat a yokozuna, the audience throw zabutons found nearby to spin them in the air. Although it can also express disappointment at the loss of a favourite wrestler, it’s generally meant to praise a wrestler who has won.
This is known as the “zabuton-no-mai” (whirl of zabuton) and announcements may be made asking people to refrain from throwing their zabutons for safety reasons in recent years, but there are no fines or sanctions.
During the Edo period (1603-1868) and Meiji period (1868-1912), there was a custom of throwing a haori (羽織), a traditional Japanese jacket. The name was written on the haori, and when the wrestlers received it and delivered it to the owner of the haori, they would receive “gift money.” The act was called “nagehana” (投げ花), meaning of “throwing gift money.”
When the first Ryogoku Kokugikan (the national sports hall) celebrated its opening in the Meiji year 42 (1909), “nagehana” became prohibited. The “zabuton-no-mai” (whirl of zabuton) may be a remnant of the “nagehana.” Throwing things when you get excited is probably an impulsive human behaviour that has existed since ancient times, when the sport of sumo first began.
What is Zabuton? A small and thin but deep-seated symbol of Japan
Zabuton and Tatami mats: The close relationship
What is Tatami? Craftsmanship that breathes to this day
What is Mushiro? Rug passed down from time immemorial
What is Futon? Magical and freely foldable bedding
Author: Takuya Nagata. Amazon Profile
Follow @nagatackleA novel writer and creator. Graduated from UCA, the UK’s university. Discussed Japanese minimalism in the senior thesis. Founder of “MINIRISM” (minirism), the art movement that contributes to the development of societies, such as ecology and lifestyle. Later opened the knowledge hub “The Minimalist.”
Once travelled to Brazil and trained football at CFZ do Rio (Centro de Futebol Zico Sociedade Esportiva) in Rio de Janeiro. Played soccer for the Urawa Reds (Urawa Red Diamonds), one of the biggest football clubs in Japan, and toured Europe. Retired at a young age and voyaged alone to England. Established careers as a journalist, football coach, consultant, etc. across Europe such as Spain. The founder of “Propulsive Football” (PROBALL), the world’s first-ever competitive mixed football, facilitating diversity and spirit for equal participation in society.
Knowledgeable in creative and technology fields as well. Launched the SPACE Culture & Entertainment hub “The Space-Timer 0.”
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