Bringing Japanese craftsmanship and traditional patterns into today's living, and continuing to pass them on. The story behind Honpindo's kozabu cushion "Yanagi ni Tori" (Willow and Bird).

Isn't it true that we only suddenly notice, at some point, that the everyday items Japanese people have used since long ago are disappearing as our lifestyles become more Western? The smell and texture of tatami we once napped on, the vivid patterns of a kimono our grandmother treasured, the large low table our relatives gathered around at New Year's, and the familiar zabuton (cushion) always placed beneath us.

Though such things no longer exist in our present lives, a similar sight or scent we happen to encounter can suddenly connect us back to those memories. Honpindo (Ponpindo)'s products are among the things that bring back this sense of nostalgia, this fondness for what is no longer with us.

Honpindo grew out of Sarakei, a kimono katazome (stencil dyeing) workshop founded in 1867, and now creates Japanese-style accessories suited to modern life. Guided by a wish to "pass on the traditional Japanese culture and technique of katazome to the present day," they craft their products at a workshop based in Asakusa, Tokyo. At ZUTTO's request, and after repeated trial production to create "a zabuton cushion suited to Western-style living," they made for us the 【Special Order】Honnui Kozabu Cushion.

This is a ZUTTO special order, created through consultation on its specifications while keeping the quality and durability of the original Honnui Kozabuton intact. To make it easier to match with flooring and sofa-based living, the tassels on all four sides were removed, and the cushion was made about two sizes smaller than what one typically imagines a zabuton to be.

The "Kozabu Cushion" uses highly durable Aizu cotton for the outer fabric and Indian cotton, known for its heat retention and moisture absorption, for the stuffing, with each cushion filled by hand by a craftsperson. Our staff use these cushions too, and they are truly easy to use while still retaining the good qualities of a traditional zabuton. Wanting to convey this appeal anew, we began discussing a new pattern starting this past summer. What resulted was "Yanagi ni Tori" (Willow and Bird), a design in which Japanese and Western sensibilities coexist in just the right balance.

New Pattern: Yanagi ni Tori (Willow and Bird)

To coincide with the release of this "Yanagi ni Tori" design, we once again visited Honpindo's workshop to see their craftsmanship in person. We hope you'll enjoy the story of how this new pattern came to be.

How "Yanagi ni Tori" Came to Be

After several rounds of discussion following our request for a new pattern, and among several proposed ideas, we were shown this original design depicting a light, graceful bird.

After receiving this proposal, we learned that the bird was drawn by Mr. Ono, Honpindo's representative and designer, after he saw a traditional decorative motif called "hana-kui-dori" (bird holding a flower) depicted on a certain textile.

Mr. Ono:

"This bird was sketched based on inspiration from a textile housed in the Shosoin Repository in Nara. Bird motifs have been passed down since ancient times, and I believe the many depictions that have been created reflect the feelings of the people who lived in each era—they carry real meaning. A bird is a being that can freely soar through the sky, capable of things humans cannot achieve. What we at Honpindo aim to do is add a modern interpretation to the feelings of those who longed for such a being, and pass that on."

The "willow" that encircles the bird is also something familiar to Japanese people.

Mr. Ono:

"When you peel back the brown bark, the wood inside is pure white, which is why the willow is considered a tree representing 'purity,' and it's often used for the celebratory chopsticks used at New Year's. The way its branches sway in the wind is also associated with the motif's meaning of 'flexibility and suppleness.'"

Hearing Mr. Ono's story and looking at the design again, it strangely appeared different to us than before. The feelings passed down through generations, and the idea of something that will continue on into the future, connected with what we at ZUTTO want to deliver to our customers—and so we decided to have "Yanagi ni Tori" made.

At the Asakusa Workshop: Making the Stencil, Dyeing, and Coloring

The seasons passed, and as autumn slowly deepened while some summer heat still lingered, we visited the Asakusa workshop to see the production process firsthand.

At Honpindo, products are made using a technique that combines "bassen" (discharge dyeing) and "nassen" (printing/dyeing). This method incorporates the techniques cultivated since Sarakei's founding at the end of the Edo period, while also being designed so that more people can easily enjoy these products.

1. Carving the Stencil

This is an extremely detailed process of creating the "stencil" used to discharge-dye the overall form of the pattern. This stencil is then used for the discharge dyeing.

2. Applying the Stencil and Discharge Dyeing

A paste made by mixing glutinous rice with water, salt, and rice bran is applied to the finished stencil, discharging the pattern from the dyed fabric.

The paste carries the scent of rice. We're told that the materials used to make it have remained unchanged since this technique was first developed.

Using a supple motion of the wrist, the paste is applied with the brush curving gently across the fabric.

The areas where the paste has been applied turn semi-transparent. Once this section dries, the bird shape emerges as a pattern discharged from the blue fabric.

3. Nassen (Printing/Dyeing)

Another stencil is used to apply color over the pattern through a resist-dyeing print process.

The stencil is placed over the discharge-printed section, and mixed colors are applied through printing.

Once the red eyes are added, the "bird on willow" design is complete.

The outlines blur softly, giving the design a warm expression. By hand-drawing the design, creating the stencil, hand-dyeing the resist, and applying the colors, a truly one-of-a-kind expression is born. Afterward, skilled craftspeople fill the piece by hand with high-quality Indian cotton, giving it its final form as a cushion.

While working on this new production of the kozabu cushion, we learned that the circumstances surrounding the craftspeople have shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making production increasingly difficult each year.

The craftsperson who had previously handled this work retired during the pandemic, and raw material costs have also risen—the environment surrounding this kind of craftsmanship is changing. Even so, we were told that the kozabu cushion and the hand-sewn kozabuton are made without placing much importance on profit, driven instead by a desire to keep passing down Japanese tradition, including the skills of the futon craftspeople. Hearing this, we were once again reminded that this product carries the heartfelt intentions of the two people behind Honpindo.

This custom-order [special order] hand-sewn kozabu cushion sits comfortably on a chair and blends in naturally on a sofa as well. It's an everyday item that suits modern living, without leaning too heavily toward either Japanese or Western style.

We also offer re-fluffing (uchinaoshi) services for the kozabu cushion (※ fee applies)

The kozabu cushion has already found its way into the hands of many customers. Some of you may have noticed that the cushion has become quite flattened over time, or that you're bothered by stains on the fabric. At Honpindo, we can also consult with you about "uchinaoshi"—the process of re-fluffing the cotton inside to restore its plumpness.

The process follows these general steps:

・The flattened cotton inside is run through a cotton-processing machine again, restoring it to a plump, like-new condition

・Cleaning of the fabric (hand-washed using detergent suited to the type of stains)

・Re-printing of the design

・Reassembly using the restored cotton and cleaned fabric

Rather than replacing the cotton inside with new cotton, "uchinaoshi" involves running it through a cotton-processing machine again to restore it to a like-new state. At Honpindo, the fabric is also hand-washed and re-printed as part of this process. They carefully engage with each customer's beloved item, restoring it with great care.

▲A staff member's kozabu cushion that was sent in for re-fluffing. It now has firm resilience and looks almost like new.

When we asked whether there's a general guideline for when to have a cushion re-fluffed, we were told, "There really isn't one."

Mr. Ono:

"There's no set guideline for when it should be done. As craftspeople like to say, 'A futon really comes into its own once the cotton has flattened'—meaning that a good futon is one that still feels resilient even after it's grown thin. The Indian cotton used in this kozabu cushion is truly high quality, and it retains a firm resilience even after losing some of its thickness. So we hope customers will feel free to consult with us whenever the timing feels right for them."

▲A staff member uses this cushion regularly while working at their desk. (This photo was taken before the re-fluffing.)

"With the items customers send in for re-fluffing, you can really see how each person has used theirs, and it's clear how much affection they have for it. Because we want people to keep using these for a long time, we charge a fee, but we do the repairs with almost no profit margin."

If you're interested in this service, please check the following items.

・Whether there are any torn or thinned areas in the fabric.

During the process of adding cotton, the fabric is pulled with considerable force.

If there are torn or thinned areas in the fabric, this process may not be possible, so please check in advance.

・Cleaning will only remove stains to the extent possible.

For unusual or stubborn stains, an additional cleaning fee may apply. In such cases, we will contact you separately and proceed according to your wishes.

▼After confirming the above, please contact customer support with the following information.

・Your name

・A phone number where you can easily be reached

・A photo of the item you'd like to have re-fluffed

※If there are any particular stains or marks you're concerned about, we'd appreciate it if you could include a photo of those, or a brief note in your email.

This is a personal item belonging to a ZUTTO staff member that was sent in for re-fluffing.

The fabric was cleaned, re-printed, and the cushion was re-fluffed.(Reference price: 4,070 yen ※including return shipping, as of December 2024)

It's plump again, almost like new. The re-printed pattern looks vivid and alive.

See the restoration process here

The kozabu cushion gradually becomes more familiar with use, deepening in character with the changing seasons and the passage of time. We hope you'll enjoy peaceful moments in your daily life, feeling the soft, gentle presence that is so characteristic of Honpindo.