I think the pillow, and the fusion consept itself, are both fantastic!

Reminds me a bit of something that Ferguson Britt came up with, a while ago. Me and him are both Nipponophiles, he because he lived there for 16 years, and I because I've studied Japanese martial arts for 22 years.

Anywhoo, him being a sporran maker, he thought of facing a sporran with a traditionally Japanese material (in this case, ray skin... same stuff that the hilt of a katana is wrapped in). I love it, because like your project, it seems a great way to bring the two cultures together in a classy and meaningful manner.

Bravo and keep up the crafting!

EDIT: Just in case someone hasn't seen one of these yet, here: