Zaisu

A zaisu (座椅子) is a Japanese chair with no legs but a normal chair back.[1] They are often found in traditional rooms with tatami mats, and are often used for relaxing under heated kotatsu tables.

A zaisu, pictured here with zabuton and kyōsoku

Traditionally, the correct sitting style in Japan is seiza, kneeling with the weight on top of the lower legs, which are folded underneath the body. However this can become painful after long periods of time or for people who are not used to it, so many prefer the zaisu, where the back is supported and legs can be positioned more comfortably.

Zaisu come in many styles, and can either have a cushion built in or be used with a zabuton. For an even more relaxed seating arrangement, one may also use a Japanese style armrest called a kyōsoku (脇息).[2]

Zaisu are very common in Japan, particularly in houses with traditional Japanese-style rooms (washitsu)[1] where low tables and sitting on a floor of tatami mats are commonplace. They are for relaxing on a cold night under a heated kotatsu table.[3]

References
  1. "What Is a Zaisu". Wise Geek. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  2. "Zaisu Chairs". Tatami. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. "Chair - zaisu". Irasshai. Georgia Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 2007-01-11. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
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