Tatami Mats Advantages & History

In most Japanese homes, you can find a covering and flooring called tatami [畳] in Portuguese, most often referred to as tatame. It is a floor made of rice straw, used for a long time among the Japanese. What are its advantages? Why do the Japanese use it?

In this article, we will explore the history of tatami, its origin, where it is commonly used, what it is used for, how to maintain it, measurements, and many other curiosities to answer all your questions about this traditional Japanese flooring.

Table of Contents

What are tatami like?

Tatami is made from a material of rice straw, being used since the Muromachi Period. At that time, the flooring was even considered a luxury item. This flooring can be found in various traditional rooms called washitsu (和室).

In martial arts, tatami is the flooring used for training in a dojo and for competition. It is also recommended for spinal correction, by masseurs and doctors in general; in Oriental style decoration; in the practice of yoga, meditation, relaxation, and anti-stress treatments.

Tatami is covered with rush straw igusa [藺草]. The core is traditionally made of rice straw, but contemporary versions sometimes have compressed wood boards or polystyrene foam cores.

The long sides can be bordered in heri [縁] with brocade or plain fabric. Tatami consists of 3 parts known as doko (interior), omote (surface), and fuchi (edge).

What is the size of a tatami?

The tatami is made in standard sizes, twice as long as its width and can vary depending on the region. A standard tatami measures 90cm x 180cm and is 5cm thick.

Tatami has become so common in Japan that it is used as a measure for rooms. Many Japanese people, instead of using m², refer to the number of tatami in a room to convey a sense of size.

In addition to the standard size, there is a half mat called hanjō [半畳] and a three-quarter length mat, used in tea ceremony rooms, called daimedatami [大目].

We recommend reading: Chanoyu – Japanese Tea Ceremony

The size of tatami traditionally differs between regions of Japan:

What does Tatami mean?

The correct word in Japanese is tatami [畳], the word tatame with [e] is just a transliteration into Portuguese. We will use tatame often because most searches made on Google use the word ending with “e”.

In the West, tatami is often used to refer to children’s EVA flooring or used in gyms and fighting rings. The Japanese tatami made of straw can be more easily found in stores and online if written with [i].

In fact, the tatami flooring used in fights and martial arts is also known by the name shiai-jô. In a Portuguese dictionary, we also find another transliteration, which is tatâmi.

In fact, the term tatami is derived from the verb tatamu [畳む], which means “to fold” or “to stack.” This indicates that the first tatami were thin and could be folded when not in use or stacked in layers.

In the past, tatami was a word used to refer to any foldable flooring like goza and komo. Its ideogram [畳] is composed of the kanji for rice, eye, table, and floor. The way tatami is arranged in a room also has different names.

History and Origin of Tatami

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), a rice straw covering called shoindukuri was introduced. This covering was a luxury and was usually found in tea houses or royal residences, while the rest of the population lived in houses with dirt floors.

It was only during the Edo period that most houses in Japan had access to this flooring. During the Heian Period, the aristocratic shinden-zukuri residences still had wooden flooring, and tatami was used only as seating for the aristocrats.

In the Kamakura period, tatami flooring gradually began to spread to entire rooms. Rooms fully covered with tatami began to be called zashiki [座敷]. Soon these sitting rooms had their own rules and etiquette.

By the mid-16th century, the ruling nobility and samurai slept on tatami or fabric mats called goza [茣蓙], while commoners used straw mats or loose straw for bedding. Tatami gradually became popular and reached the homes of commoners by the end of the 17th century.

Today, tatami is not usually filled only with compressed rice straw. Nowadays, more durable materials like wood pulp, polystyrene, or particle board are used. The surface is made of a weave of bamboo or rush, while its edge is made of fabric and serves as a decorative finish.

We also recommend reading: Kadomatsu – Japanese Bamboo Decoration

Houses built in Japan today often have few rooms with tatami flooring, if any. Rooms with tatami flooring and other traditional architectural features are referred to as nihonma or washitsu, “Japanese style rooms.”

Types of Tatami

Besides referring to the traditional flooring of Japanese houses, the word can also indicate other different types of flooring. As mentioned, any type of foldable flooring can be called tatami.

In the West, tatami is more commonly known as the arena for martial arts like karate and judo. These floors are called Judo Tatami (柔道畳) and are more durable and have a different size, being made in a different way.

If your room is in the Western style, there are floors called Yunitto tatami (ユニット畳) and Oki Tatami (置き畳) that can be placed as rugs in rooms. While a new rice straw floor is greenish in color, over time it begins to turn yellow.

There will come a time when it is necessary to replace the tatami and take the old one to be recycled. If you take good care of it, it can last up to 6 years. Nowadays, tatami is made in factories, whereas in the past it was made by hand.

Etiquette and Care for Tatami Floors

It is not allowed to step on tatami with shoes, not even with slippers. It is not common to place chairs on this type of flooring; people usually sit on the floor or on cushions called zabuton.

In most rooms with this type of flooring, you will find a sliding door. Be careful not to step on the tracks (shikii), as this is considered rude and can cause damage. Also, avoid stepping on the edges of the flooring to prevent wear. In rooms with tatami, you should sleep using the famous futons, and choose furniture and objects that will fit well, like the kotatsu.

Water should not be thrown in a room with tatami; cleaning is usually done with vacuum cleaners or a damp cloth. These rice straw floors tend to attract many dust mites, for which there are products developed to prevent them. What do you think of this flooring? Leave your opinion and tips in the comments.

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Where to buy a tatami?

Finding EVA tatami flooring is easy, but finding traditional flooring is something complicated. You will also easily find meditation cushions with a rice straw base.

You can buy a Japanese tatami in stores specializing in Oriental products, sports goods stores, or online. Here are some options where you can look:

Specialized physical stores: Check if there are stores selling Oriental or Japanese items in your area. These stores may sell Japanese tatami or direct you to places where they can be purchased.
Sports goods stores: Some stores that sell sports equipment, especially those focusing on martial arts and practices like judo, aikido, and karate, may offer Japanese tatami for sale.
E-commerce: There is a wide variety of online options where you can find Japanese tatami. Some popular platforms include Amazon, eBay, Walmart, among others. Be sure to read product descriptions, customer reviews, and check the measurements, materials, and the seller’s reputation before making a purchase.
Online stores specializing in Japanese items: There are online stores specializing in Japanese products that may offer authentic Japanese tatami. Search for these stores and check if they have options available.

Remember to consider the size, material, and quality of the tatami when making your choice. Also, check if the store offers delivery or shipping options to your area.