Kanji Black Throw Pillow

Throw pillows for your sofa, bed, or chair are now available in all of our classic Japanese fabrics. Each 18" pillow cover is handmade to order in the USA of imported Japanese fabric. We offer several different options for pillow inserts: cover only, down/feather, poly fiber, and a microfiber down alternative.

Pillow details

• 18" x 18" size is perfect for accenting a sofa or Shikifuton
• Covers are handmade to order in the USA, pillow inserts are made in China
• Fabric is 100% cotton and imported from Japan
• Hidden zipper enclosure allows removal of cover
• Clean knife edge on all 4 sides
• Same fabric on the front and back

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.

Insert details

Cover only: No pillow insert included. Use your pillow cover on a pillow insert that you already have at home.

Down/feather: A 95/5 feather/down blend in a 100% tick proof 230 thread count polyester outer shell. This type of insert is malleable and can be fluffed for a nice shape.

Poly Fiber: 100% polyester fill in a polypropylene outer shell. This type of insert holds its shape and cannot be fluffed or shaped.

Microfiber Down Alternative: 100% microfiber fill in a 100% cotton outer shell. This type of insert can be fluffed and shaped and is also hypo-allergenic and vegan.