Bamboo wife

The Korean version of thebamboo wife

Abamboo wifeis abolster(pillow) made from a wovenbamboocylinder that may be as large as the size of the human body. It goes by names such as (Chinese:Trúc phu nhân;pinyin:zhúfūrén;Cantonese Yale:jūkfūyàhn;Vietnamese:trúc phu nhân;Korean:죽부인,jukbuin;Japanese:chikufujin), also known as aDutch wife,inTagalogaskawil(fish hook or chain); inBurmeseasဖက်လုံး(hpaat lone) and inIndonesianasguling.

Bamboo wives are typically hand-woven from thinly-cut bamboocane.

Etymology

English

The origin of the English term "Dutch wife" is thought, via folketymology,to be from the (former)Dutchcolony ofIndonesia,where Dutch traders would spend long periods away from their wives. A more likely explanation is the link withDutch courage,Dutch auctionorto go Dutch.Here, the use of the word Dutch was used to describe something that is irregular. This carried over to America and other colonies. Expressions like this are still applied in other circumstances such as in the phrase, "You can trust me or I am a Dutchman."

Mandarin Chinese

Besides the term "Bamboo wife" ( trúc phu nhân,zhúfūrén) these pillows are known inMandarin Chineseunder a variety of names, namelyZhú jiā xī( trúc giáp tất ),zhú jī( trúc cơ ),qīng nú( thanh nô ),zhú nú( trúc nô ), andzhú fēi( trúc phi ).

Shape and size

Bamboo wives come in a variety of sizes. They are typically similar in shape toorthopedic body pillows,and can be curved or a long, cylindrical shape.

Usage

In the summer heat, the open bamboo structure is cooler to the touch than fabric pillows or sheets.A user embraces the Dutch wife as they would hold a sleeping companion, with the goal of exposing the body to a greater flow of air.The device may also alleviate lower back pain when placed between the knees during sleep.

History

Bamboo wives and their variants in other countries originated East Asia and Southeast Asia.They were designed to cool the body in times of high temperature and humidity. They can also be made of cotton or othersynthetic fibers.Dutch wives made of cotton or other synthetic fiber are widely used inIndonesia.

Bamboo wives have decreased in popularity, possibly due to the prevalence ofair conditioning,especially in urban areas.Another reason for the decline may be poor quality.They remain popular inKorea,but are outweighed by indoor cooling and bolsters made from synthetic materials.

As of 2019, bamboo wives were not typically sold atcorner stores,tourist shops, or night markets in Japan, Korea or the Philippines. They are mostly found in non-Englishonline shops.

Japan

In Japan, full-body pillows (dakimakura) are sometimes referred to aschikufujin( trúc phu nhân "bamboo wife" )even though their function is about physical and psychological comfort rather than heat abatement.

Korea

The first mention of thejukbuininKoreadates to the 13th century during the lateGoryeoperiod.Jukbuinwere typically held when sleeping on the wooden floors of aHanokas beds were not commonly used.Generally speaking, family members did not each have a personaljukbuin.However, a son would never use his father'sjukbuinin order to show him respect.

Every year the Damyang Bamboo Festival is held inDamyang County,South Jeolla Province,South Koreawhich showcases local products made from bamboo, including an array ofjukbuin.

Jukbuinfor infants arrived after the adult versions. Otherjukbuinvariations include an electric fan.

Culture

Films

Becausechikufujinare hand-woven from cheap materials, they are sometimes used in media to connote the poverty of their creators. In the Japanese filmLady Snowblood,a supporting character (Kobue) pretends to make her living by weavingchikufujinto conceal her profession as a prostitute from her father.

Riddles

CertainChinese numismatic charmsreference bamboo wives in the form of a riddle that reads, "Empty eye without eyeball. The couple live together without love. In autumn the wife leaves. When the lotus blooms again she returns," the answer to which is the bamboo wife.