The answer is 敷きつつ. However, in the つつ grammar point, a paragraph is dedicated on how つつ can only be used for a state but not an action. Here “laying out the bedding” is clearly an action, which seems to contradict the grammar point.
Also it would seem weird for “broken bone” to be counted as an action (example sentence in the grammar point) while “lay out beddings” being counted as a state.
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I wouldnt use the explanations Bunpro gives for most of the grammar point since they arent that good.
つつ is not actually about “Action” vs “State”, but rather a “instantaneous” (瞬間的) vs “durative” (継続的).
Since laying out a futon isnt an instantaneous action but something that you do progressively over a period of time, つつ is fine.
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I don’t know what the right answer is, but here are 2 cents.
Cent 1: Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese grammar says that つつ would not normally be used with everyday actions, e.g.
ビールを飲み（？？）つつテレビを見た。
So to me it seems that it wouldn’t recommend つつ for laying out futon either, since it’s just as everyday of an action. By the way, it puts walking in the same category, but not because it’s physical, but because it’s everyday.
Cent 2: In the first 200 examples of 布団を敷く on jpdb (布団を敷く – Vocabulary details – jpdb) there are 0 usages of 敷きつつ and 2 usages of 敷きながら.
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Good question!
I had to really have a bit of a think about this before replying to see if there were any patterns that I could notice beyond the standard dictionary definition and reading all of the example sentences (plus a bunch on some other websites).
From what I can pick up on, it seems that つつ is able to be used naturally for actions, but not ones that progress rhythmically or at timed intervals like running or walking. Rather it is used for things that have lots of small unpredictable microadjustments made along the way either in order to achieve an ideal/final state, or to maintain some sort of equilibrium.
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I believe that ErLouwer is correct in the explanation, and so is casual on how natural it is to say. つつ is a pretty formal literary form, so you would definitely never really never say it this way. In common speech, I’m fairly certain that ~ながら would be used. But as far as grammatically correct, its more of what the type of action is over the everyday-ness of it.
As far as example sentences, in order to learn the formal registers, you’re gonna practice it with sentences you may not actually use it for in real life. But still gotta practice the formal registers anyway.
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That explanation seems a bit arbitrary since what an “Everyday action” is, is completely subjective.
Especially considering つつ etymologically comes from the same つ that is used to indicate finished/repeated actions, not from anything that means “Habitual.”
I think subjectivity is very much expected in language. Just like who belongs to in-group vs out-group is subjective and governs use of くれる and such (with a certain gray area), it would make sense to me that what’s everyday vs remarkable is also subjective and has some gray area.
It would also align with the more literary aspect of つつ vs more conversational aspect of ながら.
So in regards to the sentence in question, this way of thinking would imply that the speaker is putting on a certain dramatic air while talking about his mundane futon. And then the question becomes, how does Bunpro expect us to answer つつ rather than ながら if we don’t know this speaker’s subjective intention.
Again, I’m not claiming that I know the answer, but at least I’m citing a professionally published source.
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