Pop Japan

During the old times, the tatami had been one of the traditional materials used in Japanese houses as flooring. Tatamis are ususally made from rice straw, but the contemporary ones are now being infused with wood chip boards and polystyrene foam, for more softness. These materials are then covered with woven soft rush or igusa straws, with size in the standard ratio of 2:1. The edges are then covered with heri or brocade or plain cloth.

The Japanese word tatami actually came from a Japanese verb, tatamu, which means "to fold or pile."

This rare photo taken during the year 1860 - ca. 1900, depicted men making tatami mats. 

Tags: traditional flooring, tatami, rice straw, wood chip boards, polystyrene foam, igusa straw, heri, brocade, tatamu