The History of Buckwheat (And Why We Use It In Our Meditation Cushions)

Buckwheat is great for more than just pancakes (and if you’ve never tried buckwheat pancakes, you’re missing out!). While this “pseudocereal” is hardly a household name in the United States, it has been used for centuries throughout Asia. Traditionally buckwheat seeds are used for cooking, while the outer shell, the hulls make great stuffing material.

At Still Sitting, we use buckwheat hulls in our meditation cushions because they offer cooling comfort, conform to the shape of your body, and have minimal environmental impact. Whether you meditate regularly or are shopping for your first meditation cushion, understanding the history of buckwheat will give you a deeper appreciation for this wonderful plant. Just don’t call it a grain! 

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum, among related species) is a pseudocereal. The term pseudocereal means that unlike “true” cereals, like wheat or rice, buckwheat doesn’t come from a grass. It is more closely related to plants like rhubarb or sorrel, but still used like a grain in cooking.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the history of buckwheat — from its early cultivation in Asia to its role in 19th-century America — and then explore why its properties make it an ideal cushion stuffing. Finally, you’ll see how our buckwheat zafu cushions continue this tradition with modern craftsmanship.

The History of Buckwheat

Humans first domesticated buckwheat in what is now southwestern China (notably in Yunnan) several millennia ago. From there it spread throughout East Asia, into Tibet, Central Asia, and eventually across Eurasia. Because it grows in relatively poor soils, tolerates cooler climates, and has a short growing season (often only 10-12 weeks), it is especially valuable in high-altitude or marginal farmland.

In Japan, people long used buckwheat both for its grain (notably in soba noodles) and for its hulls. Sobagara makura (そば殻枕), pillows filled with buckwheat hulls, have been used traditionally as sleeping pillows, appreciated for their breathability and cooling properties. Buddhist monasteries in Japan adopted similar natural materials for cushions used in seated meditation — helping maintain posture without synthetic fills. In Korea, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), pillows stuffed with rice hulls or buckwheat husks were common domestic bedding items. These were not just luxury or specialty goods but everyday objects in many households.

When buckwheat made its way into the United States, it followed typical patterns of hardy crops adopted in areas with challenging climates. A memorable example comes from Preston County, West Virginia: in June 1859, a severe late-season frost struck the northeastern US, destroying much of the wheat crop. Farmers responded by sowing buckwheat, which could mature in just a couple of months. The flour was milled into buckwheat cakes — thin, griddle-style pancakes — that served as a substitute for bread and butter. This wasn’t just a stopgap; buckwheat became a regular crop, and today there is even an annual Buckwheat Festival in Preston County celebrating that heritage.

Even beyond emergency crop substitution, buckwheat played a role in US frontier and rural life. As settlers cleared land, buckwheat was used as a cover crop, for its ability to grow quickly, suppress weeds, and yield food when other grains might fail. Its flour and grits featured in early pioneer diets, and its husks sometimes had secondary use as bedding or insulation.

Thus, the history of buckwheat is one of resilience—cultivated by difficult terrain, adopted in times of hardship, and embedded into long-standing cultural and domestic traditions in Asia and America alike.

Why Buckwheat Makes a Great Cushion Stuffing

Given that rich history, it’s easy to see why buckwheat hulls are a time-tested material.

• Breathable and cooling: The hulls are hollow or semi-hollow, allowing air circulation. They don’t trap heat like foam or synthetic fill. In Japanese tradition there’s a principle known as zukan-sokunetsu— “cool head, warm feet” —which aligns with using materials that keep heat away from sensitive areas of the body (like the head) while promoting a balanced, comfortable temperature.
  
• Firm yet body-conforming: Buckwheat hulls shift slightly under pressure, molding to your pelvis, thighs, and spine. This creates a stable base for meditation. Unlike soft fill that compresses too much, buckwheat holds structure but adapts, reducing pressure points.
  
• Eco-friendly and renewable: Buckwheat hulls are a by-product of milling groats/flour. Using hulls for cushion stuffing repurposes material that might otherwise be considered waste. Moreover, buckwheat as a crop is quick to mature, low in fertilizer needs, and can grow in marginal soil, making it relatively sustainable compared to many industrial crops.
  
• Durability: All cushions tend to lose their shape and support over time. However, buckwheat cushions are easy to maintain. By occasionally topping up your cushion with buckwheat hull fill, you can maintain its shape and firmness for years and years. This contrasts with synthetic or foam padding that loses shape or breaks down more rapidly.
  

For meditation practitioners, these qualities translate into a cushion that supports longer sittings, stays cooler during extended practice, and aligns with ethical or sustainable values many bring to their practice.

Buckwheat Zafu Meditation Cushions from Still Sitting

At Still Sitting, we craft our zafu meditation cushions using premium materials and attention to detail. We make every cushion in the United States with sturdy, breathable fabric, precisely filled with clean, high-quality buckwheat hulls, and sewn to standards meant to last.

We offer cushions that allow you to adjust the amount of buckwheat fill to your posture and preference, giving you a sitting experience customized to your body and needs.

Choosing a buckwheat meditation cushion from Still Sitting means more than getting a cushion — it means carrying forward centuries of tradition of mindful design, sustainability, and genuine comfort.

Which zafu filling is right for you?

Kapok and buckwheat are two of the most common filling materials for meditation cushions. Both are available from Still Sitting. Choosing between kapok and buckwheat for your zafu ultimately depends on your personal preferences and meditation style. Each filling material offers distinct pros and cons, making them better suited for different types of meditators.

Kapok is incredibly light and soft, which makes it ideal for those who value portability and a plush feel. Its natural loftiness means that kapok-filled zafus tend to sit higher, which can be beneficial if you have flexible hips or prefer a more elevated sitting posture. On the downside, kapok compresses over time and requires occasional fluffing to maintain its shape. Some meditators find that kapok-filled cushions don’t offer the same level of support as denser materials.

Buckwheat, on the other hand, provides a denser and more grounded experience. The hulls conform to your body, offering tailored support, making it a great option for those who sit for extended periods or who have specific physical needs, like lower back support. Buckwheat zafus are heavier than kapok-filled ones, which might make them less convenient to transport. Additionally, the hulls can make the cushion feel firmer, which may not be ideal if you prefer a softer surface.

A note on our sources:

Still Sitting is committed to writing and researching articles that are accurate and informative. We know there are many places to find information online. So, we work hard to ensure that we are a trusted source for all of our readers. We hope this blog will help you learn about our products and the cultural subjects that we hold dear. As part of this commitment, we include the sources we use to write our posts:

Birkett Mills: Buckwheat environmental Impact
William G. Pomeroy Foundation: Buckwheat Pancakes
What is Sobagara Makura?

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5 Essential Items For Your Home Meditation Space
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