[Tatami Tales]

The other day, I replaced all the tatami mats in my house. Experiences like “opening the door to the scent of fresh tatami” and “swimming on tatami” were truly blissful.

If I had to choose one representative element of Japanese culture, I would unhesitatingly pick tatami. It might be a coincidence, but many relatives and friends working with the Japanese language overseas also have tatami rooms or tatami spaces in their homes. Tatami may have become indispensable for creating a “Japanese-style space.”

The word “tatami” originates from “tatamu” (to fold), revealing its roots as a mat. Texts like the Kojiki and Man'yōshū already recorded characters like “tatami,” “mushiro” (straw mat), and “komo” (straw mat) to denote layered mats. The development into the modern form, primarily made from rush grass and consisting of a tatami surface, base, and border, is said to have originated from “portable tatami mats” (oki-tatami) that became popular in temples and noble residences during the Heian period. At that time, they were portable items used as seating or bedding for guests. By the late Heian period, picture scrolls began depicting entire rooms in upper-class residences covered in tatami mats, indicating tatami gradually became a standard flooring material. At this time, tatami thickness and border patterns were still regulated by social status. However, by the Genroku era of the Edo period, tatami became common in ordinary homes, too. As demand grew, the number of tatami craftsmen also increased.

The most time-consuming part of replacing the tatami mats in my home this time was choosing the borders. Of course, there are no longer class-based rules today, and there is a wide variety of choices, from traditional patterns like tortoise shell and checkerboard to modern character designs. After carefully reviewing the digital catalog, I decided on a traditional pattern with a green base for the entire house, and for the study alone, I chose a cute pattern called “Nanten” (heavenly bamboo). The nanten design, symbolizing “turning adversity into fortune,” serves as a talisman in the study, offering gentle encouragement when challenges arise during work or study. Modern tatami edging primarily uses polyester, enhancing durability; even when our cat occasionally scratches it, it doesn't fray easily.

Another modern tatami evolution I'd like to highlight is washi tatami. Washi tatami uses no rush grass; instead, it features a woven surface made by twisting narrow strips of washi paper, applying a resin coating, and then weaving them together. We incorporated this into one room in our home. While I love the scent of rush grass and was hesitant when it was first suggested, I wanted to experience the difference and requested it for just one room. Trying it out, I was truly glad I did because of its high functionality. First, washi tatami mats show almost no fading from sunlight. They retain their new appearance, and their beautiful green color soothes the eyes. They also have excellent water repellency, which has made cleaning up my cat's vomit much easier.

This tatami replacement involved a large number of mats. Considering the current economic climate, it was honestly a significant investment, making the complete replacement a major event in my life. Putting aside the proverb “New tatami and a new wife are best,” I wonder how many years it will be before I replace the tatami mats again. Wanting to live with these mats for over ten years, I researched maintenance methods to make them last longer and learned that a combination of a palm broom and a hand dustpan is optimal. I promptly purchased a small one (incidentally, palm fibers are said to have a wax-like effect due to their natural oils, making them good for wooden floors and parquet, too), started placing boards under furniture, and became more conscious about preventing moisture buildup in the room.

My fondness for tatami has led me to gift numerous rush-woven baskets to friends—made from the same raw material. They always appreciate the natural look, unexpected sturdiness, and the way the color changes over time. When working at the showroom, days with rush products on display meant the scent filling the space the moment I opened the door became my personal energy boost. Our store carries a wide selection of items that complement tatami rooms. We invite you to visit our showroom to see them and feel free to consult with us.

Sunami Toru Shoten
https://www.shokunin.com/en/sunami/
Sanjo Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/sanjo.html
Imadegawa Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/imadegawa.html

References
Yamada Koichi (Supervisor), Sato Osamu (Author), “The Story of Tatami,” Kashima Publishing, November 1985
Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of History, “Bingo Omote: Exploring the History of Tatami” (Catalog), November 1990
Image 1: Kasuga Gongen Genki (Copy, Reizei Tamechika et al.), Tokyo National Museum
Image 2: Illustrated Miracles of the Kasuga Deity (Copy, by Reizei Tamechika et al., Edo period), Scroll 12, Tokyo National Museum
Image 3: Illustrated Scroll of The Tale of Genji (by Sumiyoshi Gukei, Edo period), Tokyo National Museum
Image 4: Rush Mat (Long Tatami), Nara period, Tokyo National Museum