Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Tatami

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French version

Tatami

畳
alternative words: Japanese mat
keywords: architecture , thing
related topics: Muromachi period
related web sites: http://www1.coralnet.or.jp/taro/tatami.html , http://www.inh.co.jp/~yuichiro/100kaisetu001.html
explanation: Mats to cover the floor of Japanese traditional houses. A block of nested straws is covered by igusa plant (a kind of reed) When Tatami is worn, you exchange only igusa cover. Initially laid only at the sleeping place like a bed, its usage had been extended everywhere since Muromachi period in upper class houses, and also to middle class ones since Edo period. A tatami has about 90cm width and 180cm height and this surface (Jo) is used as the unit of a room size in Japan.