Tatami mat making is included in Japan’s “Traditional Architectural Craftsmanship: Traditional Techniques for Passing Down Wooden Buildings,” which was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020.
Characteristics of Tatami
Tatami mats have unique characteristics. They provide stability underfoot, are flexible because they are made from plant fibres, and have functions such as humidity regulation, heat insulation and soundproofing. In addition, since tatami mats are made of natural materials, they have an excellent appearance and feel, and the rustic scent of plants has a calming effect.
Tatami is not just a flooring material, it has become an essential part of the Japanese spirit, sense of beauty, culture and lifestyle.
Structure of Tatami
A typical tatami mat consists of tatami-doko (畳床:tatami deck), tatami-omote (畳表: tatami surface), and tatami-beri (畳縁: tatami rim).
The tatami-beri has the purpose of surrounding and protecting the edge of the tatami mat. The tatami-omote is the surface of tatami mats, and is mainly made of rush or eucalyptus leaves to improve durability and appearance. The tatami-doko is the thick core of the tatami, and is made of rush, rice straw, etc.
The manufacturing process of Tatami
Making tatami mats requires sophisticated techniques, and tatami craftsmen are still active even today, despite advances in machinery.
Harvested and dried rush or eucalyptus leaves are sewn together with thread and cut to the size of tatami mats to make the tatami-omote.
Spreading rushes or rice straw evenly for tatami-doko, the core of the tatami mat and covering it with a tatami-omote. Complete by surrounding the entire tatami with tatami-beri and sewing it together.
Sizes of Tatami
Currently, there are 5 main sizes of tatami mats in Japan. The length-to-width ratio is approximately 2:1.
Kyo-ma (京間): 191.0 cm x 95.5 cm
Rokuichi-ma (六一間): 185.0 cm × 92.5 cm
Chukyou-ma (中京間): 182.0 cm x 91.0 cm
Edo-ma (江戸間): 176.0 cm × 87.8 cm
Danchi-ma (団地間): 170.0 cm × 85.0 cm
Dimensions of tatami may vary slightly depending on regions and manufacturers. Please note that this is the size of the tatami-omote. There are differences in the thickness of tatami mats, so you need to take that into consideration as well. The thickness of today’s tatami mats is ranging from approximately 5.5 cm to 8 cm.
Over the long history of tatami, standard dimensions have been established to improve convenience.
In the early days, tatami mats were made one by one to suit the floor area and purpose of the room in which they were laid. Large tatami mats were preferred in the residences of high-ranking aristocrats and samurai families, while small tatami mats tended to be laid in the homes of commoners.
It’s said that the thickness of tatami mats in the medieval period was around 3 cm to 5 cm, showing that tatami mats today are thicker.
Difference between “jo” (畳) and “jo” (帖)
Tatami was used as a unit to express the size of a room, such as “six tatami” or “four and a half tatami.” However, since non-Japanese rooms do not have tatami mats, the kanji “jo” (帖) came to be used to clarify the unit of area. Both “jo” (畳) and “jo” (帖) can be read as the same “jo.” “Jo” (帖) can be used for both tatami rooms and flooring rooms. The size of the “jo” (帖) is 162 square cm, as stipulated by the “Fair Competition Code Enforcement Regulations Regarding Real Estate Display.”
Types of Tatami
There are a wide variety of tatami mats. Many tatami mats have been developed depending on materials, manufacturing methods, intended uses, etc.
Tatami with rims:
This is the most common type of tatami. Rims are added to improve durability.
Tatami without rims:
Typical tatami mats have cloth around them for protection but there are also tatami mats without rims. It’s quirky and perfect for creating a stylish design.
Hon-datami:
Tatami-doko made of natural materials such as rice straw is used for these tatami mats. It takes advantage of the characteristics of rice straw, which is “cool in the summer and warm in the winter.” It’s soft, breathable, and excellent at moisture control.
Tokonoma-datami:
A tatami mat that is placed in a tokonoma alcove, which is also used as a guest room, and decorated with flower arrangements, vases and hanging scrolls. Not only the colour and material, but you can also change the shape to match the hanging scroll or vase. It’s often used as a tatami to complement hanging scrolls and pots.
Washi-datami:
In recent years, tatami mats made of washi (Japanese paper) twisted into thin strips instead of rushes have been introduced. Washi paper is resistant to mould and dust mites, is durable, and does not discolour easily, and it can be coloured as desired since the material is originally white.
Jushi-datami:
The main material used is polypropylene. It does not have a natural feel since it is a synthetic material, but it has the advantage of being less prone to wear and deterioration, and it’s easy to wipe off dirt from the surface because water does not penetrate. Also called oki-datami, unit-datami and flooring-datami, and they are convenient to lay on the floor.
Judo-datami:
Judo, a sport that originated in Japan, is held on tatami mats. In judo, you step on your feet and make throws, and very strong force is applied to the tatami mats.
Therefore, Ryukyu-datami, which uses the highly durable Cyperus monophyllus Vahl that grows in the southern islands of mainland Japan such as Kyushu and the Nansei Islands, was preferred as the material for the tatami surface. The surface of Ryukyu-datami is rough and non-slip, making it ideal for judo. Just like Ryukyu-datami, judo-datami does not have tatami-beri.
Today, judo is popular all over the world, and tatami mats of a synthetic material developed for the sport are used. The tatami-omote is mainly made of vinyl chloride, and the core material is a multi-layered structure with cushioning materials such as urethane and insulation materials. In some cases, the surface of tatami mats is made to be non-slip, or made to be antibacterial and dustproof.
What is Ryukyu-datami?
Ryukyu-datami is a traditional flooring material from the Ryukyu Islands, located in the southwest coast of Japan, far from mainland Japan. Okinawa, part of the Ryukyu Islands, is isolated from mainland Japan, and has a different climate which is perpetual summer, and developed a unique culture. Therefore, Ryukyu-datami has different characteristics from regular tatami mats.
Cyperus monophyllus Vahl, which is highly durable, is used for the tatami-omote of traditional Ryukyu-datami. This material has a triangular cross-section and feels rough to the touch, but it softens over time.
Regular tatami mats have tatami-beri for protection, but Ryukyu-datami doesn’t have the rims. Therefore, master tequnique is required and manufacturing takes time and effort. It can be said that the outer part is easily damaged since there is no rim, but you can also think that the rims are unnecessary since it’s made of strong material.
Ryukyu tatami mats require high technology and are manufactured using extremely precise construction methods. It is of high quality, has a unique appearance, and is rare, making it a luxury item.
The standard size of Ryukyu-datami is half a tatami. While mainland Japanese tatami mats are rectangular, Ryukyu-datami mats are square. This is why square-shaped tatami mats without rims are sometimes called Ryukyu-datami even if the manufacturing method is not the same as Ryukyu-daatami.
You can say that Ryukyu-datami is a distinctive part of the culture that colours life in Okinawa, the southern islands.
Roots of Tatami
Tatami mat is a traditional Japanese floor covering. Its origins date back to ancient times. It’s known that a plain weave similar to mushiro (莚) was used during the Jomon period (approximately 14,000 BC to 300 BC).
Although it’s called tatami (folding), it’s not usually folded. However, in the early days, thin rugs such as mushiro and goza were called tatami. As the name suggests, it was folded when not in use.
During the Heian period (794-1185), tatami mats started to become thicker, and in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), they began to be laid without gaps on the floor of rooms in the Shoin-zukuri style.
During the Nara period (710-794), tatami mats were used in temples and aristocratic mansions.
During the Edo period (1603-1868), samurai were sometimes assigned tatami mats to sit on within the castle depending on their ranks.
Tatami has a long history, and eventually became an essential part of Japanese houses and their lifestyle, and are still used today.
What is Mushiro? Rug passed down from time immemorial
Zabuton and Tatami mats: The close relationship
What is Zabuton? A small and thin but deep-seated symbol of Japan
What is Futon? Magical and freely foldable bedding
Author: Takuya Nagata. Amazon Profile
Follow @nagatackleA novel writer and creator. Graduated from UCA, the UK’s university. Discussed Japanese minimalism in the senior thesis. Founder of “MINIRISM” (minirism), the art movement that contributes to the development of societies, such as ecology and lifestyle. Later opened the knowledge hub “The Minimalist.”
Once travelled to Brazil and trained football at CFZ do Rio (Centro de Futebol Zico Sociedade Esportiva) in Rio de Janeiro. Played soccer for the Urawa Reds (Urawa Red Diamonds), one of the biggest football clubs in Japan, and toured Europe. Retired at a young age and voyaged alone to England. Established careers as a journalist, football coach, consultant, etc. across Europe such as Spain. The founder of “Propulsive Football” (PROBALL), the world’s first-ever competitive mixed football, facilitating diversity and spirit for equal participation in society.
Knowledgeable in creative and technology fields as well. Launched the SPACE Culture & Entertainment hub “The Space-Timer 0.”
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