Tatami

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Six-mat room with tatami flooring and shoji
Six-mat room with tatami flooring and shoji

Tatami (tatami?) (originally meaning "folded and piled") mats are a traditional Japanese flooring. They are made of woven straw, and traditionally they are packed with straw (though nowadays sometimes with styrofoam). Tatami are made in individual mats of uniform size and shape, bordered by brocade or plain green cloth.

Tatami were originally a luxury item for the wealthy at a time when lower classes had mat-covered dirt floors.[1] Tatami were gradually popularized and finally reached the homes of commoners towards the end of the 17th century.[2]

[edit] References

  1. The Yoshino Newsletter. "Floors/Tatami". Yoshino Japanese Antiques. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  2. Kyoto International Community House Newsletter. 2nd section titled HISTORY OF TATAMI. Kyoto City International Foundation. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.

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