Niwa Futon-ten began in 1887 as a cotton-beating family business, soon developing their futon making skills, still practised today — by hand.

High quality materials and hand crafting skills have always been the foundation and philosophy of the company which today is led by the award winning fifth generation master, Takuya Niwa — and who’s developing new contemporary products still using the same materials and hand skills, as when Niwa Futon-ten first started in the Meiji period.

Only natural cotton, floss silk and buckwheat husks are used making the futon, cushions and pillows. Unique to the company is the technique of blending cotton fibre of different length and thickness in a ratio originating from when it all began with cotton-beating. This unique blend adds a softness and elasticity, making the products both comfortable and long lasting — offering a perfect sleep and rest.

The developed particular hand shaping of the cotton body, and hand sewn finishes adds not only beautiful detailing, but also keeps them in shape over years of use. This can only be achieved in a hand crafted product. 

Sadly, traditional futons that once were an inherent part of Japanese culture have become less common as day bedding; replaced by Western style beds and feather duvets. 

Niwa Futon wishes to reintroduce the comfort of futons made from cotton and floss silk (much cherished in the Japanese culture) into present-day life by accommodating their design to today’s requirements and desires — and by using the traditional techniques in the making, based on the history of production in the Bisho region.

Takuya Niwa has developed a new rectangular pillow : Kyo-Soku — perfect to use as a laptop support when away from the desk, an armrest on the daybed, a pillow for a rest on the go, back support and more. He has also developed a Zen Futon, with a Futon mattress, two Zen Zabuton (sitting cushions) and one Kyo-Soku — for meditation, sleep and rest (as a ‘sofa’ or ‘lounge chair’ in your minimal home, or your extra room for relaxation (more details to come).

All hand crafted, naturally

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represented : Danish & Japanese MOTARASU