If you’ve ever visited a Japanese inn or Ryokan, guest house, or temple inn, you’ve probably been a little confused by tatami rooms. Tatami is a unique Japanese culture.
Tatami is a flooring material that is best suited to the climate and the natural environment of Japan, and has a deep connection with geography, history, and the Japanese climate. I hope that knowing about the tasteful tatami will help you feel the culture when you visit Japanese houses.”
Basically, tatami consists of A) “”Tatami-doko”” tatami mat as the core material, B) “”Tatami-omote”” tatami mat surface, and C)””Tatami-beri”” tatami borders.
At the beginning of this article, I said that tatami is a flooring material suitable for the Japanese climate, and it has various functions such as heat insulation, heat retention, and elasticity due to its structure. The most important point is that it can control humidity. During the humid season, each tatami mat absorbs about 500cc of moisture, and during the dry season, it releases the moisture from itself to prevent drying. Japan has four clear seasons, with dry winters and humid summers, so tatami has played a major role.
In addition, the natural igusa used to make tatami-omote has the effect of purifying the air in the room by absorbing carbon dioxide, dust, and dirt, turning them into harmless carbon monoxide and returning them to the air. In other words, it circulates, adjusts, and cleans the air in the room. It is the most suitable flooring material for the climate and the natural environment of Japan, with the natural scent of igusa and the feel of nature.
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The oldest known tatami is from the Nara period (710-794). The old tatami called””gooshono-tatami”” (* placed on a stand made of wood) is stored in the Shosoin in the Nara Todaiji
Temple.
There are some differences in the way tatami are made and their uses from those of today. It seems that two tatami were placed side by side and used as a bed for sleeping. Since tatami is mentioned in the “”Kojiki”” (Records of Ancient Matters), it is thought that tatami was used like today’s “”Goza””.
However, current tatami is thought to have originated in the Heian period (around 800), when it was used as a rug on top of a wooden floor in the residences of nobles. These are thought to have developed into flooring materials. In those days, tatami was considered a symbol of status and wealth.
From the Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the Muromachi period (1333-1573), rooms with tatami covering the entire room were built, mainly in the “”Shoin-zukuri”” style. From the late 1500’s (Momoyama period) to the 1600’s (Edo period), “”sukiya-zukuri”” and “”Sado”” or tea ceremony”” developed, and tatami gradually came to be used in the homes of common people. It was around this time that tatami became commonplace in the homes of common people. From the middle of the Edo period onward, people called “”tatami-shi”” or “”tatami-ya”” were active, and the sight of tatami drying could be seen everywhere.”
Although not widely known, the size of tatami differs by region.
Here are four typical regional sizes of tatami.
If you’re looking into tatami, here’s some etiquette you should know.
You are not supposed to step on the border of a tatami. This is because in the past, there were differences in the border of tatami depending on one’s status, and stepping on the border carelessly was regarded as an act of trampling on the symbol of authority.”
The more you know about tatami, the more interested you may become in it. I think it is no wonder that it was used as a natural air conditioner because Japan is a humid country. Also, these days, more and more households with young children use tatami in only one part of the room. This is not only because of its elasticity, but also because tatami is antibacterial and therefore clean. It is a really good flooring material for babies who crawl.”
As you can see, tatami, a flooring material suitable for Japan, has been decreasing in recent years, partly due to the improvement of air conditioning and heating systems.
However, although the number of large Japanese-style rooms is decreasing, small tatami spaces such as Japanese-style rooms of about 3.5 to 4 tatami mats adjacent to the living room, or “”koagari”” and tatami corners are becoming popular. I hope that I would like to preserve the Japanese tatami culture as a tatami room or reception room during the day, a bedroom at night, and a playground for children.”
Contents
What is Tatami made of?
Basically, tatami consists of A) “”Tatami-doko”” tatami mat as the core material, B) “”Tatami-omote”” tatami mat surface, and C)””Tatami-beri”” tatami borders.
A) Tatami-doko
Originally, tatami-doko were only made by bundling rice straw and attaching it to the mat, but now there are many tatami-doko made from various industrial production materials.B) Tatami-omote
Tatami-omote, surface material, is made by harvesting igusa(rush) in the summer, dyeing it with mud, drying it, and weaving it into warp threads. It is also commonly called goza.C) Tatami-beri
Tatami-beri are attached to the width side of the tatami mat, and nowadays there are various materials and designs available, and they also enhance the design of the tatami itself.”Features and Characteristics of Tatami
At the beginning of this article, I said that tatami is a flooring material suitable for the Japanese climate, and it has various functions such as heat insulation, heat retention, and elasticity due to its structure. The most important point is that it can control humidity. During the humid season, each tatami mat absorbs about 500cc of moisture, and during the dry season, it releases the moisture from itself to prevent drying. Japan has four clear seasons, with dry winters and humid summers, so tatami has played a major role.
In addition, the natural igusa used to make tatami-omote has the effect of purifying the air in the room by absorbing carbon dioxide, dust, and dirt, turning them into harmless carbon monoxide and returning them to the air. In other words, it circulates, adjusts, and cleans the air in the room. It is the most suitable flooring material for the climate and the natural environment of Japan, with the natural scent of igusa and the feel of nature.
”
Functions of tatami
High heat insulation and heat retention
Tatami is usually 5 to 6 centimeters thick, and the tatami-doko is made of a material that is tightly packed with air. Since air has the property of not conducting heat easily, tatami insulates the cold air from under the floor and keeps the heat inside the room. Of course, the heat insulation effect is also effective when air conditioning.Ideal for homes in Japan’s hot and humid climate
The reason why tatami is cool in summer and warm in winter is due to the igusa in tatami-omote. Igusa absorbs moisture, and the air in the tatami-doko releases it. A single tatami has a natural moisture absorption capacity of about 500 ml, making tatami the ideal flooring material for Japan’s hot and humid climate, which absorbs and releases moisture slowly.Elasticity
The igusa on the surface of tatami (called tatami-omote) holds air like a sponge, giving it a soft and fluffy texture. The air contained in the tatami-doko acts as a cushion, providing comfort when lying down and absorbing the impact when you fall down. Tatami gives us a comfortable and relaxing feeling.The fragrance of natural Igusa is very relaxing.
The nostalgic scent of tatami is due to igusa, which has an analgesic effect. In addition, recent research has shown that igusa can absorb nitrogen dioxide, which is not good for the human body. Tatami can purify the air in a room, and has a relaxing effect as if you were relaxed in a forest.Sound absorption and sound insulation effects
The rice straw in the tatami-doko contains a lot of air, and its structure is designed to absorb various sounds. In addition to its elasticity that weakens impact, this sound-absorbing effect is also one of the charms of tatami. Don’t you have the impression that a room with tatami is always quiet? In addition to the “”calm atmosphere”” that you can feel with your eyes, this sound absorption effect gives you the image of a quiet mind. Even if you walk a little roughly on tatami, the vibration and the sound of your footsteps will be weakened. Compared to a room with wooden floor, a tatami room gives you a sense of quietness because of the “”calm atmosphere”” you can feel with your eyes. Besides, the sound absorption effect, which gives you an image of a quiet mind. It’s not a sensory thing, but it really makes you feel quiet and calm.”The History of Tatami
The oldest known tatami is from the Nara period (710-794). The old tatami called””gooshono-tatami”” (* placed on a stand made of wood) is stored in the Shosoin in the Nara Todaiji
Temple.
There are some differences in the way tatami are made and their uses from those of today. It seems that two tatami were placed side by side and used as a bed for sleeping. Since tatami is mentioned in the “”Kojiki”” (Records of Ancient Matters), it is thought that tatami was used like today’s “”Goza””.
However, current tatami is thought to have originated in the Heian period (around 800), when it was used as a rug on top of a wooden floor in the residences of nobles. These are thought to have developed into flooring materials. In those days, tatami was considered a symbol of status and wealth.
From the Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the Muromachi period (1333-1573), rooms with tatami covering the entire room were built, mainly in the “”Shoin-zukuri”” style. From the late 1500’s (Momoyama period) to the 1600’s (Edo period), “”sukiya-zukuri”” and “”Sado”” or tea ceremony”” developed, and tatami gradually came to be used in the homes of common people. It was around this time that tatami became commonplace in the homes of common people. From the middle of the Edo period onward, people called “”tatami-shi”” or “”tatami-ya”” were active, and the sight of tatami drying could be seen everywhere.”
Tatami size and placement
Although not widely known, the size of tatami differs by region.
Here are four typical regional sizes of tatami.
Kyoma
Area: Kyoto and the Kansai region, Chugoku region, Kyushu region, etc. Size: 191 cm x 95.5 cm *The largest of the four typesChukyo-ma
Area: Used throughout Japan (mainly in Chukyo region, including Aichi and Gifu prefectures, Tohoku region, including Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures, parts of the Hokuriku region, and Amami Oshima island) Size: 182 cm x 91 cmEdoma
Area: Kanto region, Tohoku region, Hokkaido, etc. Size: 176 cm x 88 cm *National standard sizeDanchima
Area: Public housing, apartments, condominiums, etc. Size: 170 cm x 85 cm *The smallest of the four types.”Etiquette for Tatami
If you’re looking into tatami, here’s some etiquette you should know.
You are not supposed to step on the border of a tatami. This is because in the past, there were differences in the border of tatami depending on one’s status, and stepping on the border carelessly was regarded as an act of trampling on the symbol of authority.”
Multipurpose Uses of Tatami
The more you know about tatami, the more interested you may become in it. I think it is no wonder that it was used as a natural air conditioner because Japan is a humid country. Also, these days, more and more households with young children use tatami in only one part of the room. This is not only because of its elasticity, but also because tatami is antibacterial and therefore clean. It is a really good flooring material for babies who crawl.”
Modern Tatami
As you can see, tatami, a flooring material suitable for Japan, has been decreasing in recent years, partly due to the improvement of air conditioning and heating systems.
However, although the number of large Japanese-style rooms is decreasing, small tatami spaces such as Japanese-style rooms of about 3.5 to 4 tatami mats adjacent to the living room, or “”koagari”” and tatami corners are becoming popular. I hope that I would like to preserve the Japanese tatami culture as a tatami room or reception room during the day, a bedroom at night, and a playground for children.” 
