Keep it long, treasure it long.

Sauna x Zazen

We recommend the ZAF SAUNA, a sauna cushion created from the idea of ​​Zen meditation, to sauna lovers. Its firmness supports the pelvis, allowing you to straighten your posture and breathe more easily. By entering the sauna in a Zen posture with your hips stretched, you can absorb heat more efficiently. It is also a great product to use as a neck rest during outdoor bathing.

ZAF is a Zen cushion that can be used in saunas.

ZAF is a cushion for starting to do nothing for just 5 minutes. Sit on ZAF with your back straight, sticking your navel out. Just by doing that, you can encourage a natural S-shaped spine and create time to breathe slowly. It supports your pelvis firmly, so it can also be used for yoga, pilates, stretching, etc. It is also recommended as a seiza chair for those who are concerned about their posture or those with bad legs, hips, or knees. Also, since it was originally used by monks when sitting cross-legged, it is expected that those who eat on the floor will also be able to align their internal organs and improve digestion.

The distinctive feature of the "ZAF" cushion is its unique shape with folds on the sides. This was designed to allow the cushion to easily change shape to match the weight of the person sitting down. This rational and ergonomic structure was developed by Zen monks in the Edo period and has long been passed down in the Zen world. ZAF SAUNA is a ZAF cushion tuned for sauna use. It is made of heat-resistant material that can be used in harsh saunas at over 100°C, and the surface is antibacterial and deodorizing. It can be washed in a laundry bag at home. It can always be kept clean.

The name tag on which the date and name are written, which is also a key design point, was taken from a zazen futon. Zazen is performed facing the wall, so it is difficult to tell the difference between bald-headed monks, so the name is written on it. Since dates are often included in items donated to temples, the date can also be written on the tag. These designs are a great addition to modern life, and you can take them to the gym or yoga class without worrying about losing them.

Live in the "now" with your body and mind in tune with the times

Since its founding, Sakae Kinran, the company behind ZAF, has been manufacturing woven Buddhist altar items such as robes worn by monks, curtains for displaying the main hall of temples, and round futons. Located in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, a Buddhist altar item production area, the company boasts a top-class market share for zazen futons made by craftsmen using traditional methods. The company is committed to "manufacturing that values ​​people's 'feelings'" and has inherited traditional techniques while creating products that are close to the hearts of all people living in the modern age.

Sakae Kinran's second-generation founder, Takezawa, started the factory brand "ZAF" for zazen cushions in 2018. From an early age, he played with the cotton used to make zabuton cushions, and was interested in watching the manufacturing process while familiarizing himself with the family business. He also felt that his mind was in harmony when he tried zazen when he was feeling serious. These were the reasons he started ZAF.

Takezawa says, "The zafu itself is a traditional Buddhist implement that has been around since the Edo period and supports the posture of zazen. When you hear Buddhism, you may feel tense, but the means to harmonize your mind are very necessary in today's society. That's why I want to spread Buddhism and zazen through design products." Zen has been a tradition since ancient times, and ZAF conveys the awareness of living here and now in a more human and careful way. Why not try zazen as a way to harmonize your mind?