Dakimakura

A, from daki 抱き "embrace" and makura 枕 "pillow", is the name in Japan of a type of large pillow that is intended to be held instead of being placed under the head. The word is often translated to English as "body pillow" or "waifu pillow". In Japan, dakimakura are similar to Western orthopedic body pillows, and are commonly used by Japanese youth as "comfort objects".

These are rarely used in a supine position, and are used with the legs leaning on the side. As a result, it is possible to sleep in such a way that the weight of the upper leg is less likely to be applied to the lower leg, and the stability in the sideways posture can be improved. The arms are also protruded in front of the body, so the arms are not pressed against the body.

History
In Japan, the company is often credited with developing the type common in Japan.

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 through, a character goods and apparel store which as of 2018 continues to release official dakimakura covers.

Although dakimakura are sometimes called "Dutch wife", the original definition of this phrase is closer to the, 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.