There is a traditional form of carpeting found in homes around Japan called tatami mats. These oriental rugs are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, dating right back to the 12th century. You have to pay attention to certain rules because the number and layout of tatami mats can bring you either good or bad fortune. You want to avoid laying them in a grid pattern, as this will bring bad luck. If there is a death in the family, this is the only time the mats can be laid in a grid pattern.
Oriental rugs come in all shapes, and sizes and origins. There is a traditional form of carpeting found in homes around Japan called tatami mats. These oriental weavers rugs are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, dating right back to the 12th century where tatami mats were used as luxury goods by emperors, religious leaders, nobles, and high-ranking officials. The color of the fabric used on the edges showed the rank of individual households of those that owned them. The tatami mats come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.It was a custom that was carried on until the 17th century when this special mat found its way into the homes of ordinary people. Before the arrival of tatami mats, sleeping mats were made simply from straw and were usually thicker, until the tatami evolved. Early in the 15th century and beyond, people began to use them as floor coverings for the first time, which evolved into a way of life, thus giving birth to Japan's unique tatami culture. Various forms of mats such as oriental weaver rugs were used prior to the introduction of the tatami mat.
The tatami mat comes in three different parts, the rush or reed cover, the straw core and the decorative cloth edging. The Japanese refer to these parts of the tatami mat as the omote, tatami goto and the tatami beri. The tatami omote is made from a soft reed and each mat needs about 4,000 to 5,000 rushes. The omote is then woven together with hemp or cotton string. To make the straw core, commonly referred to as the tatami goto, a length of 40 cm of straw is reduced to just 5 cm. Then, to finish, the cloth is used for the border of the mat. Deeply rooted in their culture for many centuries, Japanese life centered around the tatami mat. They entertained guests, played, worked, slept and ate in elegant tatami-carpeted rooms. Oriental weaver rugs come in various shapes and sizes but the tatami mat could be found in a rectangular, square, triangular or even octagonal shape. The size was determined on where you lived, so basically everyone had a custom floor mat. Kyoma mats that are roughly 3' x 6' were used in Kyoto, whereas if you lived in East Edoma, the common measurement was 5' x 8', which was more popular. Today, you can have a tatami mat made into your own custom floor mat and you'll see all sorts of their from sizes and styles.
There are also health benefits to be derived from tatami mats. The inner core of these oriental weaver rugs is squashed tight and full of air thus making it very effective for absorbing heat. Japanese scholars claimed that the tatami mat could absorb 500 cc of water from the air. They claimed that if the atmosphere was dry the water would naturally evaporate. Tatami is made from soft reed, and according to ancient Chinese medicine, it calms the spirit, and the mind and body will be relaxed by the natural smell. When it comes to designing your tatami custom floor mat for size and fit, you have to pay attention to certain rules because the number and layout of tatami mats can bring you either good or bad fortune. You want to avoid laying them in a grid pattern, as this will bring bad luck. If there is a death in the family, this is the only time the mats can be laid in a grid pattern. The size of a room in Japan is usually measured by the number of tatami mats. Japanese stores are designed to be the size of 5 ½ tatami mats to ensure that you have good fortune no matter what kind of business you're in. The tatami mat is traditional to the unique way of Japanese living. These special mats are associated with tea ceremonies and Japanese religious rites. The Japanese believe that these fascinating everyday objects can lead one on the way to spiritual enlightenment! Japanese culture, dictated the concept of the tatami room. The tatami mat is truly unique and speaks for the discipline and health consciousness of the Japanese culture.
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