It is said that a shitone evolved into today’s zabuton.
Shitone used to be the belonging of the noblemen from ancient times to the Heian period. It was laid on tatami mats, mushiro or chairs as a matting.
The shitone is square or rectangular and the four edges are bordered by brocade of a width of 12 to 15 cm.
Although the shitone was stuffed with woven rush mats, floss silk or woven wool fabrics, it had no cushioning properties and it was also flat unlike today’s zabuton.