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November 6, 2025 55 mins

This is a rebroadcast of episode 76 of Ichimon Japan.

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about the history of pillows in Japan and an absurd belief regarding the sleeping

Topics Discussed

  • About the history of pillows in Japan
  • About early pillows in Japanese history
  • About the evolution of pillows in Japan
  • About pillows during the Edo Period
  • About hakomakura (box pillows)
  • About the oldest pillow in Japan
  • X
  • About stereotypes regarding Japanese people versus Westerners
  • About the idea Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners
  • About Sobagawa/Sobakawa buchwheat pillows
  • About dakimakura (hug pillows)
  • About anime waifu dakimakura
  • About the Shironeri Ayano Oomakura (the oldest pillow in Japan) in Shosoin Temple in Nara
  • About the mistaken idea that Japanese people sleep on their sides due to being an agricultural society
  • About Japan's unique status as the only place in the world with four seasons
  • About nihonjinron
  • And much more!

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Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show!

  • Support on Patreon
    https://patreon.com/japankyo
  • Support on Ko-fi
    https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

Links, Videos, Etc.

No links this time.

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

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