Competitive Pillow Fighting Is Serious Business

It might have been something you did as a kid during sleepovers. In Japan, however, pillow fighting has become a national sport.

According to Oddity Central, competitive pillow fighting was started by a group of high school students in Shizuoka. It looks a lot like dodgeball. Games are played between two teams of five players wearing yucatas, a traditional summer outfit. The funniest part is that the match begins with the players pretending to sleep on futons. Once the referee blows their whistle, everyone gets up and starts throwing pillows. Also, one player on each team is allowed to shield teammates with a comforter.

After duking (and ducking) it out in regional qualifiers, the best teams gather every February in the small fishing town of Ito to compete in the All-Japan Pillow Fighting Championships. People of all ages, from fourth graders to retirees, vie for a $915 prize and the title of Japan’s best pillow fighters.

I'm wondering if there are pros and cons to different types of pillows. Is goose down better than memory foam? How thick should they be? Will a pillowcase affect the aerodynamics? I have so much to learn.