Having just returned from a week in the Land of the Rising Sun, I thought I would share with you a little info on how our Japanese friends sleep - and it's about as natural a sleep experience as you can find.

First, let me say that the Japanese feel (and rightly so) that sleep is the first step toward good health.  As such, the sleep experience is very well rooted in their culture.  While western style beds - mattresses, foundations and frames - are making inroads into the Japanese bedrooms, the traditional way of sleeping is still the norm.

So, what is traditional you may ask?  Well, let me tell you! 

First, the bedroom:  In most homes, simply because of size, the bedrooms are dual purpose - both for sleeping and for living during the day.  A traditional design has a recessed floor where a woven straw matt is inserted.  This is called a "tatame" floor (pronounced "ta-ta-may").  New tatame in a home is an extremely good thing to the Japanese and the straw used is still green, filling the room with the grassy aroma.  As it gets older, the smell diminishes and the straw yellows.  Too old and it's time for new tatame.

On this base, the Japanese will place a futon of about 1.5 to 2 inches thick.  It is often somewhat less than our twin size, with each person (husband and wife) getting their own.  This is most often made of cotton, but new foam styles are also creeping their way in.  On top of this, there are usually large amounts of blankets (except in summer) capped off with a very fluffy comforter that can be as much as 3 inches thick!  As for pillows, the universally acceptable pillow is a well stuffed buckwheat hull pillow for good head support.

As you might imagine, this is a pretty firm sleep experience.  If you have any experience with Asian cultures, however, this is definately the norm - as firm as possible!

Recent studies have shown that firmer sleeping surfaces tend to stretch the muscles of the lower back, which can result in an increase in lower back tension.  However, in Japan this is certainly not taken into account and the futon on the tatame floor is seen individually and culturally as being the best and most healthful sleep experience.

How do you get this in the United States?  A simple Internet search for "tatame" will provide you with a wealth of products available, including a bed that actually uses tatame instead of mattresses. 

The best approximation of a Japanese futon is available from Organic Sleep Products or any Natural Bedroom retailer and is a 3 inch cotton and wool mattress (also listed as a mattress topper on some web sites).  Wool is needed in the United States to make it compliant with government flame retardant regulations.  Buckwheat pillows are also readily available.

The real underlying point of this is that the Japanese sleep experience is a completely natural one and has been for centuries.  It has only been the influence of western cultures that has caused this to begin to change.  In Japan, keeping a natural sleep environment is "good for health" - and it really isn't any different here.

Until next time!