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In a previous article, we described the TATAMI (畳) woven-rush (straw) mat, which is used as flooring in traditional Japanese-style rooms (WASHITSU 和室). Many modern Japanese dwellings will have at least one TATAMI room. Originally, the inside, or base, of the TATAMI consisted of multi-layered rice straw, which was tightly fastened -- however, nowadays, compressed woodchips or polystyrene foam boards are generally used. The base is then covered with a thin and minutely woven layer of IGUSA (い草) rush, and the woven edges are embroidered with cloth. New TATAMI mats are colored light green, but as they grow older, their color changes to tan or yellow. There are some variations in size, but an average TATAMI mat has a rectangular shape, and measures about 3 feet wide, 6 feet long, and 2 inches thick. Essentially, one person can sleep on a single TATAMI mat, so that is the reason for its dimensions. TATAMIs are also used to show the floorspace sizes in Japanese rooms (even though the floors are actually wooden or tiled.) For example, a couple of standard room sizes often used in houses and apartments are: 6-TATAMIs or 4.5 TATAMIs. The "LDK" (living, dining, kitchen) area will also be described in terms of the number of TATAMIs. The best way to maintain TATAMI mats is to regularly use a vacuum cleaner, going along the grain of the weave; and occasionally wipe it down with a dry cloth. There are also commercial products available for cleaning TATAMIs -- a key point is to avoid using a wet cloth, as the moisture will be absorbed and that might cause mold to grow. If you have any questions about TATAMI mats, please ask us, and we will be most happy to help you!

written by Goodfield