Tatami Mats

WHAT ARE THEY? Woven mats (omote) made of reed (igusa) cover a thick base (toko) with a colorful cloth border to create a soft and comfortable flooring above a wood subfloor. The frame allows air to circulate under the mat, insulating the floor. When renting a new home/apartment, the surface mats should be replaced but the main frame and its components are not replaced unless there was significant damage to them.

Tatami sizes became standardized in each region and even today are used to determine room sizes. A 6-tatami room (roku-jo) designates the square footage of the room. Usually, one tatami measures 1.91 m x 0.95 m (about 6.3 x 3.1 feet) however, mats in Tokyo are a bit shorter and wider while the standard in Kyoto is shorter (1.91 x 0.91 m).Ahalf-sized mat is called a hanjo.

PREVENTING DAMAGE: Take care of your tatami mats regularly (see below). Do not place heavy furniture on them because this will damage the frame. If you have a sofa or desk or bookshelves, place wide footings underneath to distribute the weight and prevent sinking into the mat. Just a note for renters - you can be liable for damages and these are very expensive to repair.

If you have small children or pets, you might want to consider protecting the tatami mats by covering them with a non-skid carpet.

CARING FOR THE TATAMI: Blot any liquid spills immediately with a dry towel. Blot - don't rub. Follow up by blotting with a lightly soapy wrung out towel to remove any stains. Wipe gently in the direction of the weave.

Daily care: vacuum frequently. This keeps small particles from clogging the weave and falling into the mat frame where they can serve as food for little creatures. Frequent sweeping keeps inevitable dust mites (dani) under control.