noun
futon; Japanese bedding; mattress and duvet
Refers to Japanese-style bedding, especially a floor mattress and/or quilt used for sleeping. 敷き布団 is the mattress placed underneath, and 掛け布団 is the covering quilt or duvet.
寝る前に布団を敷いた。
I laid out the futon before going to sleep.
After getting up in the morning, I fold up the futon and put it in the closet.
noun
round Zen meditation cushion
Specialized and uncommon compared with the everyday bedding sense. In Buddhist or historical contexts it can refer to a round cushion for seated meditation, traditionally made from woven rush or similar plant material.
禅の文脈では、「蒲団」が坐禅で使う丸い座具を指すことがある。
In Zen contexts, 蒲団 can refer to the round seat used for zazen meditation.