Elements of the Japanese Futon

The way we’ve set up our bed at home shifted after our second child. We found ourselves wanting to be closer to the ground during those early days. Something easier to adapt with, where getting in and out didn’t feel fixed, and where the kids could come and go freely. We also wanted a setup that could move with the rhythms of the home, whether guests were visiting or the kids wanted sleepovers.

We began using a futon setup from Iwata directly on our wood floors, and it’s stayed that way since. Alongside the exhibition, we wanted to share a bit more context around Iwata and their newly launched collection, Nezen.

What we love about camel hair is that it is collected during the animal’s natural shedding season, rather than through shearing. This makes it a rare example of an animal fiber that is both humane and renewable. It is also particularly well suited for bedding. It is breathable, regulates temperature, holds warmth without trapping heat, stays dry against the body, and adjusts well to changes in temperature and humidity. Sleeping on it feels stable and closer to a more natural way of resting.

The word “futon” in Japan refers broadly to bedding, not a single foldable object as it is often understood outside of Japan. The system is simple. At its core, the traditional Nezen Japanese futon setup comes down to two main elements that form the foundation layers: the Futon Floor Pad which goes on the floor, providing support and insulation, and the sleeping surface – the Camel Hair Mattress Pad, which is a mattress pad layered on top, providing support, softness and comfort. From there, the rest follows more familiarly: Duvets, Pillows and Sheets. In Japan, futons are often folded and stored away each morning so rooms can shift in purpose, but in practice, many people leave them out and we’ve found ourselves often doing the same.

The Futon Floor Pad sits directly on the ground, traditionally on tatami, and a mattress pad is placed on top. Historically, the pads have been produced at around 7cm, intended for use on tatami, which has a natural cushiony give. In modern or Western environments, where floors are typically harder, such as wood or tile, that same thickness can feel insufficient, so after living with the 7cm pad ourselves, we worked with Iwata to develop a 10cm version that can be used more comfortably across a wider range of spaces.

At 10cm, the futon can be placed directly on most floors without requiring additional layers. The adjustment is simple, but makes the system more usable in a different context outside of tatami.

Duvets are chosen based on how you live and the conditions of your home, from Light, Medium to Heavy. We personally live with the Medium that can be used for all seasons rather than switching between winter and summer options. The light is great in hotter months so we often consider it as the “Summer duvet”, while the Heavy is quite lofty and ideal for cooler bedrooms.

Pillows come down to preference. The Camel Hair Pillow or Feather and Down Pillow, each offer a different level of softness and support, and it depends on how you sleep. We love how straightforward the camel hair pillow is… just natural materials that stay comfortable through the night without building up heat, especially in the summer. And what’s really great about it is how it is built in layers, with one layer you can remove completely for a flatter pillow if needed. It works especially well for those who prefer a lower pillow, or back sleepers.

Lastly, sheets are the outer layer that bring everything together. These include the Fitted Sheet, Flat Sheet, Duvet Cover and Pillow Case. There are two types: Unbleached Linen or Cotton. A standard Flat Sheet can be used to wrap the Futon Floor Pad, though it is not necessary and the pad may be used directly on the floor without one. For the Camel Hair Mattress Pad, we recommend using a Linen or Cotton Fitted Sheet designed specifically for its shape and construction which can be found in Unbleached Linen or Cotton.

Bedding is difficult to understand without experiencing it directly, so if you are unable to visit our exhibition or gallery, we hope this offers a clearer picture of how the system works and what makes Iwata’s approach distinct. To make it easier to select, we curated what we feel is the most complete bundle of these elements, which can be found here: Futon Bundle.

After quite some time living with this system ourselves, it’s become something we rely on, and we’re excited to share it!

The full collection can be viewed here.