Today's Picture: 077 (4/13)

[akujunkan]

Is of:


my tatami-isu, or folding chair. Traditional Japanese furniture (like, say, tables) is much closer to the ground than its Western counterparts...like one or two feet close to the ground. Back in the day people used to kneel at these tables on their knees with their butts resting on their heels (a position called seiza, or "correct sitting").

The tatami-isu is Japan's compromise with Western furniture ideals (or people like me with crap posture who need back support). As can be seen from the picture, the base of the chair lies flat on the ground, and the back can be raised or lowered 90 degrees by collapsing the chair and then opening it back up to the desired angle (similar to the front seats in most cars).

I left both of my tatami-isu in Japan the last time I returned to the States and always regretted it; I'm definitely bringing at least one back with me next time.


And that should put me back on track with TPic.

That will be all.

Comments

[bran420-7.livejournal.com]

I'd totally dig one of those if I wasn't afraid of my floor at times. but I do have children (including John.) It looks hella more comfortable than the sofas of uncomfortable height we have. One of which I just spent a day cleaning so Deaglan could pee on the next day. *ugh*

[akujunkan.livejournal.com]

That's always how it goes, isn't it? And I can tell you from experience that while the chairs are awesome, cleaning them isn't. It's usually possible to unzip the upper portion of the chair covering to remove and launder it, but as the guts are foam it's a huge pain in the ass to shimmy the cover on and off without shredding the chair proper.

Your sofas aren't looking so bad right now, huh?

[bran420-7.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my sofa cushions are foam. Imagine trying to shimmy on covers that are woven with big zippers that catch. then stretching them so they will zip. Overall, I think furniture in general sucks. It's designed so you're just tempted to buy more instead of cleaning it.