[The Unknown History of Zaisu] From the Zero Fighter Cockpit to the Living Room's Best Seat. The DNA KISEI Inherits

Why do we sit on the floor even when there’s a sofa? The origin of “agura” and the “gunza” of military commanders

Have you ever found yourself sitting cross-legged directly on the floor, using the sofa as a backrest, even after buying an expensive sofa for your living room?

According to a survey on lifestyles conducted by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Co., Ltd., 65.0% of sofa owners reported that they "sometimes intentionally sit directly on the floor," with 46.0% of them stating the reason as "it's calming and relaxing." The instinct to live close to the floor, or "yukaza," has been deeply ingrained in the Japanese body since ancient times.

In fact, tracing the origin of "agura," a common sitting style in modern Japan, leads us back to the Sengoku period (Warring States period) and the "koshō" or "shōgi" (a folding military seat) used by military commanders when leading their troops in battle.

In the past, the act of sitting on a high seat was called "agura" (literally, "in the seat"), and all important decisions, inspections of severed heads (kubijikken), and commendations for meritorious service on the battlefield were carried out on this "gunza" (military seat). The pursuit of "military specifications" – stably supporting the commander's weight with minimal bulk in harsh field conditions and being able to fold and move instantly – is the origin of Japanese chairs and zaisu (floor chairs).

[The Missing Link in History] From Zero Fighter Cockpit Seats to Household Zaisu

Apart from the outdoor "shōgi," the structure of the "zaisu" that we use at home today has an untold historical drama: a direct intersection of wartime military technology and Japanese craftsmanship from the Showa era.

Craftsmen at the time, including those at Kanata Seisakusho, founded in Osaka in 1927, were involved in manufacturing cockpit seats for pilots of the Zero Fighter (Mitsubishi A6M Zero) during the war.

The "Zero Fighter seat," designed to fully secure the pilot's body and protect the spine and pelvis from intense G-forces and violent vibrations during extreme aerial combat (dogfights), was a crystallization of the nation's cutting-edge ergonomics and metal/leather craftsmanship of the time.

After the war, the expertise gained from developing these life-saving military seats was directly transferred to the development of furniture that supports the peaceful "Japanese way of sitting," namely, highly functional zaisu. The "robust internal frame design" to withstand harsh use, the "multi-layer urethane structure for body support" to alleviate pressure, and the "craftsman's philosophy of designing for repair and long-term use" – all of these are the DNA honed in the extreme environment of the Zero Fighter (military seat), now brought back into our daily living spaces.

Deconstruction of Zaisu for Modern Outdoor Use: The "Gunza" (Military Tent Zaisu) Trend

While the zaisu, born from military technology, evolved into comfortable household furniture after the war, a unique phenomenon is now occurring where it is "reverting to its field-use specifications."

Among enthusiasts of solo camping, bushcraft, and military-style (military tent camping) in the 21st century, a DIY trend has emerged: "gunza" or "military tent zaisu." This involves stripping the cushions from commercially available zaisu with a knife, leaving only the skeletal metal frame, and then securing military canvas or paracord (military parachute rope) to create a custom seat.

Why do they bother disassembling zaisu? Inside low-height military tents, regular camping chairs would hit the ceiling, forcing campers to adopt a "ground-sitting (yukaza) style." However, sitting cross-legged for extended periods without back support puts tremendous strain on the lower back.

This led to the discovery of a structural and functional rationality: reusing only the "sturdy steel frame" and "ergonomic reclining function" of household zaisu, and rebuilding them with tough materials that can withstand outdoor environments. It's a moment when domestic comfort and the rugged aesthetic of field operations converge across time and space once again.

Conclusion: The 30,000-yen Domestic Zaisu "MP Chair" is a "Lifetime Spec" Reintegrated into Daily Life

Survey data shows that over 73% of people are dissatisfied with their chairs at home for remote work, etc., with the majority despairing as cheap zaisu, costing a few thousand yen, "wear out" in 1-2 years, turning into "weapons" with exposed internal metal frames that cause back pain. Conversely, correlated data indicates that "64.3% of those using appropriately high-priced chairs costing 30,000 yen or more are satisfied even with long hours of use."

The "KISEI MP Chair," assembled one by one by craftsmen in our own factory, is truly the legitimate successor in this lineage of automotive and aircraft seat technology that has continued since 1927.

• Three layers of domestic laminated urethane that won't wear out even after 5 years: Completely neutralizes rebound force from the floor, physically preventing long hours of desk work or sliding off (sacral sitting). It instantly straightens the pelvis upon sitting, maintaining an ideal S-curve.

• Versatility for work, 180-degree naps, and movie-watching: Adjust the backrest to seamlessly transition from PC work at a low table, to watching movies on TV, and then to a blissful nap in a 180-degree full-flat position. The absence of a "bottom-out" feeling despite its thickness is proof of extreme body support technology.

• Only 4kg. Adaptability to modern living spaces: Lightweight design that meets modern demands for furniture, including "ease of cleaning (72.6%)" and "flexible usability (48.6%)."

Just as generals placed their shōgi on the battlefield to decide the future, and Zero Fighter pilots risked their lives in the cockpit. Why not welcome this culmination of "sitting technology," honed in extreme environments and passed down by Japanese craftsmen, into your room as a special seat?

 

📊 Sources for Surveys and Historical Data in this Article

• Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Co., Ltd. "Lifestyle Survey" (conducted March 2023, n=654)

• Naruto Miyagawa and Goro Fujimaki "Joint Research Report on Reclining Mechanisms and Rest Postures"

• Comprehensive Survey Report on the Usage Status and Ergonomic Issues of Zaisu (Floor Chairs) in the Japanese Market