Hideyoshi’s Pillow in the Shape of a Baku (Baku mimakura)
This pillow (makura) is in the shape of a baku, a mythical beast with origins in Chinese folklore. The baku might be mistaken for an elephant but is a chimera with the trunk of an elephant, the eyes of a rhinoceros, the tail of an ox, and the paws of a tiger. Baku are said to devour bad dreams and are also known as creatures that consume metals, such as iron and bronze. The baku is thus associated with peace and does not appear during times of war because the metals it requires are all in use as weapons.
This makura is made of wood with a covering of leather and cotton to make it more comfortable and is said to have been used by Hideyoshi (1537-1598) himself. Its shape may have had a two-fold significance. In addition to eliminating nightmares and guaranteeing Hideyoshi a sound sleep, the baku also serves to bring good fortune by ensuring that swords and other weapons are not close at hand, characteristics that mean it probably served Hideyoshi as a charm against assassination. Images of baku were often carved into gates for similar reasons, signifying that weapons were not permitted within.