Dakimakura: The World of Japanese Comfort Pillows
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that everyone could use a little more rest and relaxation. Our search for new ways to feel calm and supported has led us to the fascinating world of dakimakura, Japanese comfort pillows. From busty anime characters to boyfriend pillows, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Dutch Wives
A Dutch Wife is a round firm bolster pillow that is commonly used in the hot and humid countries of SE-Asia. They were originally made out of bamboo and were first referred to as bamboo wives. Which is what they’re called in Japan, Korea and China, where the traditional bamboo ones are still used today. The open structure allows air to flow between the knees and hips, helping you stay cool during those sultry summer nights.
After the Dutch colonized Indonesia in the1600's, the bamboo pillows became known as Dutch Wives, because lonely Dutch colonials and soldiers began to rely on their bolsters for comfort and companionship as well as staying cool. Eventually the bamboo was replaced with cotton-stuffed pillows, but the name remained the same.
Dakimakura
Dakimakura are long rectangular body pillows, sometimes referred to as huggie pillows because daki means to hug or embrace and makura means pillow in Japanese. What started out as a simple body pillow to help people with back and knee pain sleep better merged with Japan's anime-loving otaku culture and a new obsession was born.
The pillow cases have two different images on each side and usually depict the characters in alluring come-hither poses and different revealing outfits. Talking pillows are also available with little speakers in them and a small AI that you can program to respond to your questions.
Eventually a whole new erotic subgenre was created. Love Pillows feature fully nude characters in sexually suggestive positions. Love Pillows have now become very popular and are collectors items.
There’s no denying that dakimakura fans sleep great at night with their comfort pillows wrapped tightly in their arms. The design of the body pillow helps maintain spinal alignment while sleeping, which eases back and joint pain. But dakimakura offers more than just a good night’s sleep. They provide a sense of companionship and ease feelings of isolation. Plus, cuddling up to a luscious pair of breasts or even just looking at boobs reduces stress.
The Boyfriend and Girlfriend Pillow
Based on the success of the dakimakura pillows, Japanese manufacturers went one step further and created boyfriend pillows that are shaped like a man’s torso with arms that can wrap around you and hold you. Offering a sound sleep and the perfect snuggling companion.
Pillows were even made with a speaker in the chest that emits the soft reassuring sound of a human heartbeat. For men who love to lay their heads in a woman’s lap, a girlfriend pillow was designed in the shape of a kneeling woman, perfect for resting your head on.
More than just fun anime collectors items, there’s actual science behind these pillows. Embracing someone or even something releases the love hormone oxytocin in your body. Serotonin is released as well, which decreases the damaging stress hormone, cortisol. All of this calms your central nervous system, lowers your blood pressure and improves your mood.
Higher levels of oxytocin help you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer. Promoting a more restful and rejuvenating deep slumber. Comfort pillows also combat depression and feelings of isolation because oxytocin fills you with a satisfying sense of belonging and connection.
We’re just learning what the Japanese have known for decades. It doesn’t matter what form your pleasure comes in. Whether it be a voluptuously sexy Booby Pillow or a talking anime body pillow, if it relaxes you, makes you happy, and helps you sleep better, then we’re all for it!