Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Futons....Japanese Style

I've mentioned that one of our college friends moved to Japan. I think Kim's been in Tokyo nearly 20 years????

Anyway - Kim suggested futons for our kids' rooms as we have lots of them to fit into small rooms. Ah....I did wonder how so many couches in a room would work.....

Kim explained that Japanese Futons are not pull out couches. ::snort:: I think this is the idea....I'll have Kim confirm.




Don't those quilts (futons) look comfy? I think I could leave most my quilts here and buy some futons for use in Japan. They'd be great for when our big kids visit....and we'll see what the younger ones think. It certainly would clear space in the room during the day.


I can't remember how much Kim said they cost...but I found this interesting. This is my "random thought on Japan" for today.

Have those of you who've lived in Japan purchased some of these? I wonder how well they hold up....how do you wash them...hmmm....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

17 comments:

Debbie said...

Have you and your family ever seen "My Neighbor Totoro"? Anyway, there is one scene in the movie where the dad and the two little girls are getting up the room for the night and this is exactly what the beds looked like. They took them out of a cabinet sort of thing. Very interesting. I've often thought how much space is wasted with our big "western" style beds. I am finding all your little Misawa info so interesting.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Debbie - I've not seen the movie. Woudl it be a fun one for us to watch on a Friday night?????

Kim said...

Yep! That's them!

They are often made of down these days, so we don't often wash them. (Polyester and wool are also available.) You wash the covers for them, and hang the actual comforters/bottom pads in the sun off your balcony - with everyone else! Then, when they are nice and warm and smell fresh, you BEAT them with a bamboo - thingy. Well, you don't beat them too hard if they are made of down, but...it is a great stress release! LOL!

Anonymous said...

Sis: Did we ever meet your friend Kim? What was her last name? Is she a missionary over there?

l/p Mom T.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Oh, Kim....beat wth bamboo....I certainly need a few of these. ::snort::

Yes, Mom you met Kim. Kathy, Kim's sister was my roommate my freshman year. Kim was in Japan the same time as Tammy Swailes.....and yes she went back with a mission group and then stayed. You can see a photo of her and her darling Jun in the comment above yours....I bt that jogs your memory. LOL

Renee said...

Have you checked with the furnishing office in Misawa? I would hope they would have loaner bunkbeds; that's what we used in Korea.
I think bunkbeds are the only way to go (unless you dont' mind sleeping on mats on the floor and going native). I know that 1 of our 4 bedrooms in Korea honestly had no space for more than one bed... MJ's bedroom was as wide as the head of her bed, a nighttable and the door.... and the length only a few feet beyond her bed.
The other girls' bedroom could have maybe had two beds on the floor IF there was no dresser and at best a foot of walking space between them. Only the boys' bedroom had space (albeit tight) for two beds but even there we used bunkbeds

Linda said...

Where do you store them during the day? Do they all stack together on a shelf in a closet or something? They look great for the kids, but my back would never tolerate sleeping on the floor, no matter how much padding was underneath it. Age is a wonderful thing! :)

Lisa in Jax said...

My mom and dad bought one while in Japan and brought it home. They still use it to this day! It's a great bed for kids. It's held up for over 10 years now.

Blessings,

Lisa

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Renee - technically it would be going Japanese...and that is just what we are considering. I slept on woven mats in the Philippines many times.... though I must admit that camping is getting harder. LOL

As Linda mentioned they may be hard on the back???? But the top layer is something I will buy many of to keep us warm....and I'll for sure be buying one or two of the whole sets for guests.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Linda - I'm seeing them in corners stacked, closets and chest/wardrobe things....I think it probably depends???? Kim may check back in with an answer. LOL

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Lisa - thanks for the input. Did your folks use it as a main bed or as a guest bed?

Renee - we were told specifically to BRING mattresses and beds...but I'll check with Misawa's office before we leave. We HAVE bunk beds and planned to throw 3 mattresses away before the move....so if they have mattresses we could borrow we won't buy new ones to take. LOL

Lisa in Jax said...

My parents used it until their own furniture arrived. My mom said that she bought it for $50.00 but also said that the bases would have them on sale throughout the year.

Blessings,

Lisa

Renee said...

I know the AF is better about having families bring furniture; there were AF folks in Korea that were alloted their full weight allowance while most Army families were not... so that's why the Army had to provide beds; esp bunkbeds. But if you have bunkbed, then they are probably the way to go.. you'll have 5 kids full-time so that's 2 in each bedroom with one alone (but if you do a bunk you'll have a spare bed in there)....

Kristine said...

It'd be great for the older kids who visit, and the younger kids would find the novelty fun, I would think. Trevor LOVES to sleep in a sleeping bag. :)

Debbie said...

De'Etta, the Totoro movie would be a fun movie for the family. It is animated and done in the typical Japanese style of cartoon. The "Totoro" I guess are like a Japanese legend sort of thing, so there is a bit of magic, but nothing over the top and we enjoy the story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp9PDj_zb1k

Here is a short trailer of the movie.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Deb - I'll check Netflix.

Kristine - I agree.

Lisa - thanks that is what Kim thought too. I think I'll leave blankets HERE and buy them futon covers instead.

futons said...

Futon refer to the traditional Japanese bedding system. It is like a big comforter with thick filling inside it. It is comfortable to use when relaxing or sleeping. But now, there is a company that supplies high quality futon sofa bed and mattresses for more than two decades now. They have the bifold and the trifold type of futon mattress. It is up to the customer to choose which one fits to their frame. It was really convenient and comfortable to have a futon bed at home.