Talk:Tatami

Tatami size

I want to point out that according to Japanese architecture students I have talked with the standard size of tatami is 910x1820 mm. I realize that it could be their regional standards (Tohoku, Yamagata), but they are quite sure that it is the current standard when building new houses. Just wanted to point it out as that size is not mentioned here.

You can also see this in the Japanese wikipage (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%95%B3) where 910x1820mm is stated the standard size. Furthermore there is no mention of the size 900x1800mm.

As many people go here for reference I think it is extremely important that these figures be changed promptly. If however, someone has any objections please say so, as I dont want to change it without permission. Lee3001 (talk) 13:25, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

The page reads, "It should be noted that mats from Kyoto and western Japan are slightly larger than those from Edo (Tokyo) and eastern Japan at 33.5 in by 70.5 in (850 mm by 1800 mm)."

Should "larger" be "smaller"? Fg2 13:00, 20 Jun 2004 (UTC)

I'm not sure, I think larger though. But it should definely NOT be Edo, it should be Tokyo. Exploding Boy 13:07, Jun 20, 2004 (UTC)

Tatami mats (畳) are the traditional Japanese flooring. Are they really the only traditional Japanese flooring? Or should it be a? Markalexander100 08:50, 7 Jul 2004 (UTC)

"A" is correct. I'll make the change. Boards and dirt are also traditional.

Tatami in Tokyo are indeed smaller than those in Kyoto. When I asked at the Tatami-ya, they said that it was because Tokyo is more cramped and crowded, so in order to make rooms smaller, the tatami are also smaller. Who knows if this is the actual reason. Trevor Bekolay 14:58, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

Hopefully I have clarified some of the confusion about tatami size. I will try to explain further when time allows, referring to sound (reliable) scholarly references available to me.Tksb (talk) 03:44, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

Merge?

"Merge"-templates have been inserted in this article and in washitsu, without any explanation why they should be merged. Personally, I am not a big fan of the idea of merging. Tatami is a kind of mat, washitsu obviously a kind of room that is covered with tatami - but the washitsu has more specifics than just the mats, if I cover my floor with tatami they will not become washitsu. // Habj 21:32, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, merging these two articles is a bad idea. Washitsu is more than just a space covered with tatami mats. Sjschen 06:53, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, a tatami is not a washitsu, nor is a washitsu a space covered with tatami. But maybe we can make a substantial article with a theme such as traditional Japanese homes (and an appropriate title). It would encompass washitsu, tatami, fusuma, shoji, Pocket door, and more and make a unified whole from a collection of stubs. Some of the stubs would disappear, while others might have reasons for staying separate. Fg2 07:17, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

Budo tatami

Should martial arts tatami be covered in this article or have its own? Originally straw tatami were used, but today tatami for budo purpose most often have a rubber surface and some kind of filling. Still, the origin is the same. // Habj 21:32, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

It sounds like martial arts tatami should have a section in Mat mentioning its origin and present state. How does that sound? Fg2 07:17, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

Picture

There is a photo (right, below) that says "Men Making Tatami Mats, late 1800s." Maybe the title should be renamed as I doubt there is any color photographs from late 1800s. (You ment late 1900s?) Have a nice day.:)

No, the date is definitely correct: [1]. Either the colour has been added, or it's an early colour picture (there were colour pictures being taken in early 20th century Russia, so it may well be the latter). Henry^Flower 15:55, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

It is a hand coloured photograph, these have been around since the late 1800's it is not color film. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.159.143.137 (talk) 15:58, 10 January 2009 (UTC)

Instalation:

In western construction, a rooms corners are rarely, if ever, 90 degrees. Does anyone have information about how tatami are installed? Are the angles for the rooms measured before hand, or are the tatami altered at the home to fit the room?

Wtf, all western corners are 90 degrees. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.122.63.142 (talk) 16:30, 21 January 2008 (UTC)

Wood or Dirt floors

My understanding is that Japanese houses are raised and the floor of the houses were wood. Although older/poorer houses had larger sections of dirt floors most of the living surfaces (stove, lounging areas, etc.) were plain wood and these were the ones that tatami was laid on. Sjschen 08:22, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

Alarm System?

It's hard as heck to walk on these things without making noise! Is that intentional?70.231.230.33 07:12, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

No, I don't think so. But Nightingale floor is. Fg2 07:24, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

Time frame?

Does anyone know the approximate date when tatami morphed from individual cushions to actual floor coverings? Ninquerinquar 04:09, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

5½ mats?

Besides needing a citation, the claim of traditional sizes needs to explain what shape a 5½ mat room is supposed to be. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.208.173.144 (talk) 05:23, 20 March 2009 (UTC)

Use

This whole section seems unnecessary. Tatami are flooring mats. This description, covered in the introductory paragraph, tells their use. I believe this section should be deleted.Tksb (talk) 11:36, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

Also, does it make sense to discuss Tameshigiri in an article about mats? It is not clear to me what the relationship is. 94.193.93.109 (talk) 23:58, 14 October 2010 (UTC)

I was going to make the same comments; I'll blank the section, particularly since the part about rooms in the home contradicts other parts of the article. --49.132.194.10 (talk) 10:51, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

Inauspicious arrangements

Might the reason that having four corners touch (+) was considered inauspicious in the Edo period be the Tokugawas' anti-Christian policies? Hieronymus Illinensis (talk) 09:44, 24 May 2012 (UTC)

arrangements

The article clearly defined what the difference between auspicious and inauspicious matting was; including that it was to differentiate between everyday use, and in the example, a funeral. It also mentions that to have a "good" tiling pattern, you'll need half-mats to complete the brickwork pattern.

For those not using the brickwork arrangement, it is more convenient, but taboo, why would anyone recommend breaking the tradition of a custom? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 1.152.107.100 (talk) 09:13, 2 September 2021 (UTC)