A traditional Japanese bedding system consisting of a mattress and quilt that can be folded and stored, or in Western usage, a convertible sofa-bed.
Borrowed directly from Japanese 布団 (futon), where 布 (fu) means 'cloth' and 団 (ton) means 'round mass.' The concept was adapted in the West in the mid-20th century as space-saving furniture.
The futon represents a fascinating cultural translation - what began as a minimalist Japanese sleeping system became a symbol of college dorm life and small apartment living in the West, completely transforming its cultural meaning while retaining its practical flexibility.
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