Traditional Japanese Floor Pillows and American Trends

The Japanese have always had the right idea by using pillows to provide seating as well as sleeping in their homes. Traditional pillows made of buckwheat hulls have been the vogue there for centuries, and while some modern Japanese have taken to using feathers and polyester to fill their pillows just as Americans do, there are still many that swear by buckwheat. Buckwheat hulls are natural materials, and used in pillows they offer great support for the neck and help prevent sleepers from tossing and turning all night which allows them to get a more restful nights sleep. In addition, buckwheat pillows can be either frozen or heated so that they are very soothing to someone with a headache or neck pain.

Although most Americans aren’t sold on sleeping on pillows made of buckwheat hulls, the trend is definitely catching on. You can purchase them in stores, online, or you can also make your own at a fraction of the cost. All you need is a zippered pillow cover and some organic buckwheat hulls. You can find these items in most craft stores. When the pillow cover gets dirty, all you have to do is dump the hulls into a shallow container and wash the cover. While you’re waiting for the cover to wash and dry, sit the container of buckwheat hulls in the sun to freshen them. You’ll end up with a fresh, clean pillow that’s just like new.

The biggest problem associated with traditional Japanese pillows is allergies. There’s no way to make buckwheat hulls hypoallergenic. In fact, they contain very potent allergens and can cause a lot of people to have asthma attacks and sinus problems. You can find buckwheat pillows that claim to be hypoallergenic, but that claim generally means that they contain no feathers to bother those with feather allergies. There’s nothing that can keep you from developing an allergy to buckwheat. Although doctors will admit that there are healthful properties about sleeping on a buckwheat hull pillow, they are also quick to point out that they may not be a good idea for allergy sufferers.

Traditional Japanese Floor Pillows and American Trends