Dakimakura – Meet the love pillow

Welcome, anime lovers and otakus on duty! Are you ready to discover the secret behind those cute and huggable pillows that we love so much? Well, get ready to know the wonderful world of Dakimakura – the famous “love pillow” that has been winning hearts all over the world.

In this article, we will explore everything about this essential item for fans of Japanese culture and also tell you how to use it to boost your SEO and bring more visibility to your online content. So, grab your pillows, let out the war cry “Kawaii!” and let’s embark on this adventure together!

Also read: The most beautiful and enchanting characters in anime

The meaning of Dakimakura

Dakimakura (抱き枕) is a Japanese word that can be divided into two parts: “daki,” which means to hug, and “makura,” which means pillow. Therefore, Dakimakura can be translated as “huggable pillow.”

The Japanese word can refer to any body pillow or Dutch wife. However, this term became popular in the West as pillows with sensual prints of anime characters.

Although originally created as a comfort item for sleeping, Dakimakura has become an object of collection and adoration for many fans of Japanese pop culture. With dakimakura, otaku can finally hug their favorite anime characters.

History and Origin of Dakimakura

To understand the history of Dakimakuras, we need to go back a bit in time and talk about traditional body pillows in Japanese culture. Known as “makura,” these pillows were originally used to support the head and neck during sleep, but they were also used to hold objects, such as lanterns or books.

Over time, body pillows gained a new function. In the 1990s, the Japanese anime and manga industry began producing pillows with prints of characters from their works. These pillows were nicknamed “Dakimakura,” which in Japanese means “huggable.”

Initially, Dakimakuras were more popular among women, who hugged the pillows while watching their favorite TV shows or reading manga. However, over time, men also began to adopt Dakimakuras as sleep companions.

The popularity of Dakimakura has rapidly grown in recent years, not only in Japan but worldwide. Nowadays, it is possible to find a huge variety of prints of anime, manga, and video game characters on Dakimakura pillows, and they have become a highly sought-after collector’s item among fans.

Dakimakura are also called love pillows. They have existed for decades in Japanese culture, mainly in the form of animals.

After the emergence of these printed anime character pillows, the phenomenon quickly spread on forums like 2chan, pixiv, and many others, especially after some sensual prints.

Online establishments and physical stores began to create and print pillows with thousands of different characters. Many associate these pillows with sexual objects, but some use them merely as decorations or something to hug at night.

Another term that has been used for this pillow besides Dutch wife is chikufujin, which means “bamboo wife.” The main sizes of dakimakura are 150 to 160 cm in length and 50 cm in width, with a circumference of 100 cm. It is common to find only the pillow covers for sale, so many end up buying several prints.

Dakimakura Cases

A very controversial and common occurrence is the yome to no bansan (嫁との晩餐) or dinner with the waifu. These are romantic gatherings where otakus take their dakimakura pillows to dinner. These romantic encounters mainly happen on the eve of Christmas, which is considered Valentine’s Day in Japan. Many share photos of these encounters on forums and social media.

They have even invented dakimakuras that can talk or moan. For otaku, the pillows are one of the only ways they can touch their beloved characters. Some have taken their dakimakura for walks in amusement parks and on roller coasters. There have even been cases where people have married these pillows. And for those who think only the Japanese are crazy to that extent, there are many Westerners who have embraced their passion for their favorite characters.

How to buy a Dakimakura?

If you are an otaku looking to buy a Dakimakura, there are a few things you need to know before making your choice. Below are some useful tips to help you buy the perfect pillow:

1. Size: The size of the Dakimakura is important, as it determines how large the character image will be. The most common sizes are 150x50cm, 160x50cm, and 120x40cm, but other sizes can be found. Be sure to choose a size that is comfortable for you.
2. Where to buy: There are many online stores that sell Dakimakuras, such as specialized anime and manga product stores, Japanese product stores, and e-commerce platforms. Be sure to buy from a reliable source to ensure you are getting a quality product.
3. Print: Choosing the right print is crucial. Be sure to choose a print of a character that you really like, and not just because it is trendy. It is also important to consider the quality of the image and the sharpness of the print.
4. Material: Be sure to choose a Dakimakura made of quality material that is soft and durable. The most common materials include cotton, polyester, and microfiber.
5. Care: Be sure to read the manufacturer’s care instructions to keep your Dakimakura in good condition. Some pillows can be machine washed, while others should be hand washed. Avoid exposing the pillow to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

You can create your Dakimakura

Body pillows are easy to find for sale in mattress stores and other large stores and online. You might want to buy just the print or have it made at a print shop in your city, that’s what I did, I spent much less than buying it ready-made. Just choose a good white fabric and a print shop that does the printing service.

Why have a dakimakura?

I see nothing but the bad reputation that these pillows have gained due to some erotic prints or embarrassment in public. The pillows are nice and comfortable to hug and sleep with; even doctors recommend using body pillows for the spine. And there is nothing abnormal about printing or having objects, clothes, posters of characters or celebrities we like. Of course, everything has its limits!

If you want to have a dakimakura, know that there are thousands of prints on the internet for you to print and make your love pillow. I bought 20 reais worth of fabric and went to a print shop and paid about 20 reais to print on the fabric, while the long pillow or body pillow cost about 50 reais. What do you think? Do you have the courage to use a dakimakura? Do you find it strange and controversial?

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The future of Dakimakura

The future of Dakimakuras looks promising, with many opportunities for innovation and growth on the horizon. Some possible evolutions we can expect for love pillows include:

1. Integration of technologies: With the advancement of virtual and augmented reality technologies, it is possible that in the future Dakimakuras will be able to connect with other technologies to create an even more immersive experience for anime and manga fans.
2. Advanced customization: There are already options to customize pillows with personalized images, but in the future this could become even more advanced. Imagine a Dakimakura that has the ability to mold to the user’s physical characteristics for an even more comfortable fit.
3. Improvement of print quality: The print quality has already improved significantly in recent years, but it is possible that in the future it will continue to improve, allowing prints to become even sharper and more realistic.
4. Use in therapies: Dakimakuras are already known for their calming and comforting effect, but in the future they may be used in more specific ways in therapies, such as helping people with anxiety or sleep problems.
5. Creation of communities: There are already communities of Dakimakura fans, but in the future we can expect these communities to grow even more, creating opportunities to share information, exchange products, and connect with other fans.