{{italics title}} {{Short description|Type of large pillow from Japan}} thumb|A dakimakura without a cover on it A '''''dakimakura''''' ({{lang|ja|抱き枕}}; from ''daki'' {{lang|ja|抱き}} "embrace" and ''makura'' {{lang|ja|枕}} "pillow") is a type of large pillow from Japan usually coupled with pillow covers depicting manga and anime characters.<ref name="The Otaku Encyclopedia">{{cite book |last=Galbraith |first=Patrick W. |title=The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan |year=2009| publisher=Kodansha International |location=Tokyo |isbn=9784770031013}}</ref> The word is often translated as '''body pillow''', '''waifu pillow''', or '''husbando pillow'''. ''Dakimakura'' are similar to Western orthopedic body pillows and are commonly used by Japanese youth as "comfort objects".<ref name="The Otaku Encyclopedia"/>
==History== [[File:Dakimakura - 5623288757.jpg|thumb|A dakimakura featuring the character Mirai Suenaga]] During the late '90s and early 2000s, ''dakimakura'' began to intertwine with otaku culture, leading to the production of pillow covers featuring printed images of ''bishōjo'' and ''bishōnen'' posed lying down from various anime or ''bishōjo'' games. Many of these early otaku ''dakimakura'' covers were released by Cospa, a character goods and apparel store that as of 2018 continues to release official ''dakimakura'' covers.<ref>[https://pillowprofessional.com/dakimakura-pillow/#tab-con-14 Dakimura pillows on Pillow Professional]</ref>
Although ''dakimakura'' are sometimes called "Dutch wife", the original definition of this phrase is closer to the ''chikufujin'', or "bamboo wife". The year 2015 saw some of the first talking body pillows with ''Ita-Supo'' and its mascot, Rina Makuraba. It was invented by former Kyushu Institute of Technology researcher Koichi Uchimura.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-02-28/make-your-hug-pillow-experience-more-pleasurable-with-rub-activated-talking/.85461|author=Bamboo Dong|title=Make Your Hug Pillow Experience More Pleasurable with Rub-Activated Talking|date=28 February 2015|work=Anime News Network|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Lynzee Loveridge|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-03-16/interactive-rubbing-activated-hug-pillows-finally-get-release-date/.99866|title=Interactive, Rubbing-Activated Hug Pillows Finally Get Release Date|date=16 March 2016|work=Anime News Network|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref>
==Sizes== ''Dakimakura'' are available in two main sizes, {{Convert|160|or|150|cm|abbr=on}} in length with a {{Convert|50|cm|abbr=on}} width ({{Convert|100|cm|abbr=on}} circumference).
Until the mid-2000s, ''dakimakura'' were available in one size, {{Convert|160|x|50|cm|abbr=on}}. Since the late 2000s, {{Convert|150|x|50|cm|abbr=on}} ''dakimakura'' have been available and increasingly popular due to shipping cost savings from being under the {{Convert|2|kg|lboz|abbr=on}} airmail weight limit.<ref>Casemaka-admin (3 February 2020). "[https://casemaka.com/en/blog/the-perfect-size-of-a-dakimakura.html The Perfect Size of a Dakimakura]". Casemaka.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=V Pillow |url=https://www.arlinens.co.uk/collections/v-pillow |publisher=Arlinens |access-date=13 October 2022}}</ref>
Due to the increase in popularity, new sizes have been created to adapt to all heights and ages, and although there are other sizes available; the five most popular sizes are {{Convert|180|x|60|cm|abbr=on}}, {{Convert|170|x|60|cm|abbr=on}}, {{Convert|160|x|60|cm|abbr=on}}, 150 cm × 50 cm, and {{Convert|140|x|40|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dakimakuras |url=https://dakimakura-france.com/ |archive-date=27 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227162159/https://dakimakura-france.com/ |url-status=dead |language=en-US |publisher=Dakimakura-France |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref>
== See also == *Co-sleeping *Sex doll *Bolster *Bamboo wife *3D mousepad
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commonscat}} * {{cite news|url=http://archive.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2004/02/62176|title=Getting in Bed With the Customer|last=Kohler|first=Chris|date=February 6, 2004|work=Wired News|access-date=2014-02-13|archive-date=2014-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518174550/http://archive.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2004/02/62176|url-status=bot: unknown}}
{{Pillows}}
Category:Japanese inventions Category:Otaku Category:Pillows