Japanese flooring mats












Tatami has been used in Japan since
the Heian Period (794-1192).
Then, Tatami were placed on the wooden floor
only where people sat. 
From the Muromachi period (1338-1573)
they began to be used to cover the whole floor.

Tatami filling is hard-packed sewn straw.
Over that is a smooth facing made of woven rushes.

Tatami needs to be replaced after several years,
you can replace a whole mats or
just facing of the tatami is replaceable also.

As for the size of tatami, usually the length is
two times the width, about 90cm x 180cm.
But in multiunit housing like apartments,
a smaller, 'apartment size' is often used.
The size of a Japanese room is expressed
as the number of its tatami, count as
'1-jyo', for 1 tatami.

The cost for 1 tatami is vary but it starts from
around 10,000 yen for brand-new tatami.

The long sides of the tatami have a cloth edging.
In the past the colour and pattern of the edging were
determined by the family's status, but now it can be
freely chosen.  Proper etiquette for walking in a
tatami room is to avoid stepping on the edging,
because that wears out the tatami quickly.


Asian furniture goes well with tatami room, of course.
If you are thinking about purchasing or leasing Asian furniture,
visit Tokyo Lease Corporation Showroom.
They have a great range of Asian and European furniture
for both sales and lease.