J-Life Shikifuton with Kanji White Removable Cover

Like sleeping in Japan!

Made to painstaking traditional Japanese specifications by an American manufacturer, the J-Life Shikifuton offers the ultimate comfort of a true shikibuton. This authentic Japanese futon comes with a beautiful removable cover in 100% cotton imported Japanese fabric, as pictured.

THE J-LIFE SHIKIFUTON IS AN AUTHENTIC JAPANESE FUTON

Years ago, we decided to offer Americans a true Japanese style mattress; one constructed of quality materials, without foam or innersprings - pure and simple. So, we deconstructed Japanese shikibutons, worked with master shikifuton craftsmen in Japan, and developed the design of the J-Life Shikifuton. Now, over 20 years later, the J-Life shikifuton is a trusted choice for those looking for a reliable, authentic Japanese style sleep experience.

All-Natural Materials

True to Japanese custom, our futon is composed of a pure, 100% unbleached cotton duck cover, filled with 100% American-grown cotton. The J-Life Shikifuton has no wool, foam or innersprings. In accordance with US fire retardant standards, our shikifuton mattress uses naturally-derived boron as a fire retardant.

The custom zippered removable cover is designed to snugly fit our Japanese mattress. Each custom removable cover is handmade of high-quality, 100% cotton fabric imported directly from Japan that features traditional Japanese patterns.

Kanji Script: Ancient Japanese Poem

Woven into our Kanji fabric is an ancient Japanese poem, a reflection of impermanence and self-transcendence:

"The fragrant, colored flowers are delicately scattered.
Who can remain unchanged in this world?
Transcend the present world, do not dream fleeting dreams, do not act out."

This poem is attributed to Ikkyū Sōjun (一休宗純, 1394–1481), a renowned Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet known for expressing profound truths in a direct, and poetic manner. The poem reflects the Zen Buddhist concept of impermanence, reminding us that all things, no matter how beautiful, are fleeting. Flowers serve as a powerful reminder of this, as their brief bloom symbolizes life’s transience.

The second half of the poem, “Do not dream fleeting dreams,” embodies a fundamental Zen teaching: to let go of our desires. In Zen Buddhism, clinging to worldly attachments leads to suffering, as we endlessly seek to fulfill fleeting dreams that will never truly satisfy us. 

Our Kanji fabric weaves a timeless artistry with wisdom, reminding us to embrace life’s impermanence and celebrate the fleeing beauty of the present moment.

Futon Firmness

The J-Life Shikifuton is available in two thicknesses: a popular 4-inch option and a more traditional 3-inch. Firm sleep surfaces, like that of a Japanese style floor mattress, help to improve sleep posture, resulting in rewarding sleep and pain-free mornings. Comfort level is firm.

J-Life Futons & Tatami Mats

Traditionally, a Japanese futon mattress is intended for use on a flat solid surface, such as a tatami mat, floor, or platform bed. While J-Life Shikifutons are sized to fit American bed frames, please note that they are not meant for American style futon frames. Pair your shikifuton with a Japanese tatami mat to ensure proper air circulation and to provide added comfort.

Scroll through the product images to find the tatami and futon size guide, which shows the appropriate tatami mat size options for your shikifuton.

The J-Life Shikibuton mattress can also be ordered without a custom removable cover. We also offer a Shikifuton Protective Cover for extra protection against dirt and moisture.

Visit the J-Life Blog to find our Shikifuton Care Guide, FAQs, and more product resources.

Please allow 5 to 7 days for production before shipping (excluding weekends and holidays).

Please Note: Due to compression caused by the packing and shipping process, futons may be smaller than their actual size upon delivery. Please allow your shikifuton at least 1-2 weeks to expand to its actual size.