otherJuly 22, 2026

Tatami

Tatami (畳) is a traditional Japanese flooring material produced in regions including Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, and is primarily composed of a surface layer (tatami-omote) and a core material (tatami-doko), generally sewn together with an edging strip (tatami-beri). In 2020, tatami-making was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage registration of "Traditional architectural craftsmanship for the maintenance and transmission of wooden architectural structures."

History

The origins of tatami-related weaving techniques extend to the Yayoi period, during which woven cloth using igusa as weft material was excavated from burial jars in northern Kyushu, demonstrating weaving methods significantly different from those of the Jomon period. While plain-weave mat technology existed during the Jomon period, the production of modern-style tatami is considered unlikely at that time, as dense weaving with fine weft materials such as igusa requires a loom-like device.

The oldest surviving tatami fragment is the Gosho-datami (御床畳) held in the Shosoin repository, dedicated to the Great Buddha at Todaiji on the 77th memorial service of Emperor Shomu. Its shape and structure resemble those of modern tatami. By the Heian period, tatami were documented in upper-class settings: the Makura no Soshi describes tatami in the Seiryo-den. In ancient times, tatami served primarily as bedding, spread on sleeping platforms.

By the 14th century, tightly compressed straw began to be used as the tatami-doko. During the Muromachi period, the emergence of shoin-zukuri architecture led to the practice of covering entire rooms with tatami. From the Momoyama period through the Edo period, the development of the tea ceremony spread tatami use into machiya townhouses as well as dedicated tea room architecture. Tatami became widespread among ordinary commoners only from the mid-Edo period onward, and in rural areas even later, after the Meiji period. The oldest surviving confirmed floor-plan tatami layout in an existing structure is the Nakamura family residence in Gose City, Nara Prefecture, built in Kan'ei 9 (1632).

Traditionally, tatami-beri edging was made from narrow-loom dyed linen divided into five or six strips; after the Meiji period, dedicated tatami-beri fabric came into use. In 1882, Kano Jigoro founded the Kodokan at Eisho-ji temple, where Ryukyu tatami made from shichito-i rush was laid. In the mid-Showa period, tatami-making machines became widespread and tatami-doko production separated from the work of tatami craftsmen, leading to the emergence of specialized tatami-doko manufacturers near major cities. From around 1963, polystyrene foam began to be used in composite tatami floors, followed by insulation board from around 1973.

Shichito-i rush, used for Ryukyu tatami surfaces, was originally cultivated in the Tokara Islands under strict supervision of the Satsuma Domain. In 1663, Hashimoto Gorouemon brought it back to Oita Prefecture. It was subsequently cultivated in Shizuoka, Okayama, Ehime, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, and Okinawa prefectures, but the number of producers decreased over time and now only a few households in Oita Prefecture continue its cultivation.

Techniques & Production Process

The tatami-omote surface layer is woven with igusa (round rush grass) as the weft thread and hemp or cotton thread as the warp thread. Before weaving, igusa is pre-treated by mud-dyeing and then dried. Weaving patterns for tatami-omote include regular-eye (tatami-me) weave, mesen (meppaku) weave, and morome weave. In most production, a single igusa stalk runs the full width of the mat (hiki-toshi-omote); however, in the Bingo region there is also a style using two stalks joined at the center (naka-toshi-omote).

The tatami-doko core is produced in several forms. Straw tatami floors (wara-tatami) are made by compressing and sewing together rice straw; they offer moderate insulation, near-full compression recovery, excellent moisture absorption and release, and produce almost no toxic gas when disposed of. Polystyrene foam sandwich tatami floors are lightweight with good insulation but are inferior in compression recovery and moisture absorption and release, and generate toxic gases upon disposal. Insulation board tatami floors use wood chips as the main raw material, have medium weight, and offer good compression recovery, insulation, and moisture control, producing almost no toxic gas when disposed of.

Shichito-i rush, used for Ryukyu tatami-omote, has a thick triangular cross-section and is split in half before being used as weft material. Production areas for round-rush tatami-omote include Kumamoto Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, and Ishikawa Prefecture. For more on related Japanese traditional crafts, including flooring and architectural materials, see the broader category overview.

How to Identify Tatami

Tatami mats are distinguished by their woven igusa surface and the presence or absence of an edging strip (tatami-beri). Mats without edging strips are called bozu-tatami; borderless tatami are sometimes referred to generally as "Ryukyu tatami," though that term originally designates tatami-omote woven from shichito-i rush, which has a thick triangular cross-section split in half for use as weft material. Historically, the type of edging indicated social rank: tatami used by the Emperor, the Three Palaces, and retired emperors were fitted with ungenberi edging, while tatami used by princes, regents, and ministers were fitted with koraiuberi (high-pattern Korean-style) edging. Standard mat sizes also vary by region: Kyoma tatami measures 1,910 mm × 955 mm and covers approximately 1.82 square meters; Edoma (Kanto-ma) tatami measures 1,760 mm × 880 mm and covers approximately 1.55 square meters; Chukyoma tatami covers approximately 1.66 square meters; and Danchi-ma tatami measures 1,700 mm × 850 mm, used mainly in collective housing. The Fair Trade Council of Real Estate stipulates that one tatami must be at least 1.62 square meters. Regional variants include Aki-ma (Hiroshima-ma) at 6 shaku 1 sun × 3 shaku 5 sun, used in western Hiroshima Prefecture, and Saga-ma at 6 shaku 2 sun × 3 shaku 1 sun, used in Saga Prefecture and Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.

The Craft Today

Tatami production today draws on both traditional and industrial methods. In the mid-Showa period, the introduction of tatami-making machines led to the separation of tatami-doko production from individual craftsmen, with specialized manufacturers emerging near major cities. Composite tatami floors incorporating polystyrene foam (from around 1963) and insulation board (from around 1973) are now common alongside traditional straw-core mats. Production areas for igusa round-rush tatami-omote remain active in Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Saga, Kochi, and Ishikawa prefectures. Shichito-i rush cultivation, used for Ryukyu tatami, has contracted significantly and now continues in only a few households in Oita Prefecture. Tatami-making is recognized internationally as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage registration, made in 2020, for traditional architectural craftsmanship related to wooden structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main components of a tatami mat?

A tatami mat is primarily composed of a surface layer called tatami-omote, a core material called tatami-doko, and generally an edging strip called tatami-beri. The tatami-omote is typically woven from igusa rush grass, while the tatami-doko may be made from compressed rice straw, polystyrene foam composite, or insulation board.

What is the difference between Ryukyu tatami and standard tatami?

Borderless tatami (without edging strips) are sometimes called Ryukyu tatami in general usage, but the term originally refers specifically to tatami-omote woven from shichito-i rush, which has a thick triangular cross-section and is split in half before weaving. Tatami without edging strips are also called bozu-tatami.

When did tatami become common in ordinary Japanese households?

Tatami became widespread among ordinary commoners only from the mid-Edo period onward. In rural areas, the transition occurred even later, after the Meiji period. Prior to this, tatami were used mainly in upper-class and aristocratic settings.

How do tatami mat sizes differ across Japan?

Tatami sizes vary by region. Kyoma tatami measures 1,910 mm × 955 mm (approximately 1.82 square meters); Edoma (Kanto-ma) measures 1,760 mm × 880 mm (approximately 1.55 square meters); Chukyoma covers approximately 1.66 square meters; and Danchi-ma measures 1,700 mm × 850 mm, used mainly in collective housing. Regional variants such as Aki-ma and Saga-ma also exist. The Fair Trade Council of Real Estate requires a minimum of 1.62 square meters per tatami.

Is tatami-making recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Yes. In 2020, tatami-making was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage registration of "Traditional architectural craftsmanship for the maintenance and transmission of wooden architectural structures."