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a donut configuration within a rectangular footprint creates a free circulation between the flexible living and work areas of this apartment, using an adaptable lighting system along the perimeter walls to adjust the atmosphere with the changing function.
Tatami mats are a kind of rush flooring used in traditional Japanese homes. Made of woven rush grass around a rice straw core, they are gentle but firm underfoot, and also give off a lovely (I think) scent, especially on rainy or humid days. Increasingly rare in modern Japanese interiors, tatami deserves to be considered as a potential material in all homes. Let’s take a look at its rich history.
@Suukoudo, Iga, Mie.（三重県伊賀市 崇広堂）
Other pictures of Japan, Kyoto (京都) and Koto-in (高桐院).
Japanese autumn leaves
Informazioni sul tatami, usato per la pavimentazione delle case tradizionali in Giappone.
The Auspicious 5-Piece Tatami Mat Set is artfully crafted in natural rush grass, following the time-tested traditions of the Japanese. In the Edo period of classical Japanese culture, the art of placing Tatami mats in a certain pattern in a home, teahouse, or temple was thought to be auspicious and to bring good fortune. This later came to be known as a Washitsu room or a Japanese style room. When complimented with traditional Japanese items of furniture such as futons and Rice paper lamps, the result produces a sense of natural beauty, harmony, and simplicity all key elements of Japanese home design. Although today Tatami mats are used in a wide range of places and configurations the traditional “Auspicious” style layout mentioned above confers a balance and sense of harmony and beauty wherever it is placed. It is often used in traditional and modern style homes both in Japan and here in the States to bring balance, order, and an auspicious flow of good luck. Manufactured in Taiwan, our mats are constructed in much the same way Tatami mats have been traditionally made in Japan, for hundreds of years. For instance, our mats use a natural rush grass exterior, and rice straw foundation, instead of the wafer board, or particle board that is commonly found in less expensive mats. Layered Rice straw is more time consuming to manufacture but it gives our mats that characteristic firmness with a slight give that makes Tatami mats such a unique and valuable floor covering. In addition, the Rush grass straw used as a covering for our Tatami mats is rated, "Best Grade #1", meaning little or no visible variation in grass straw pattern, further evidence of the quality of construction used in the Haiku Designs Tatami Mats. Finally, the Rush grass mat is wrapped in durable, cloth edging and tightly woven/tension stitched to prevent warping or bending. Because Tatami Mats include a large portion of rush straw, they are classified as an agricultural product and must meet strict U.S. Department of Agricultural customs regulations designed to prevent the introduction of insects, and molds into the country. Most Tatami mat manufacturers meet these requirements by placing toxic powder insecticide coatings into several layers of the tatami mat or fumigating the entire mat with pesticide gas, but not Haiku Designs. Our Tatami Mats are the cleanest, most eco-friendly mats available today because they are processed and manufactured naturally. Instead of toxic pesticide powders, fumigation gas, or sprays, our mats meet the U.S. Customs requirements by means of an infrared heat process that eliminates any potential molds or infestations. In addition, our rush straw components are thoroughly washed using a special process before manufacturing. The end product is a stunning, all natural floor covering that is, eco-friendly, and toxin-free. With proper treatment, our Tatami mats will last for many years. In addition to the health benefits related to zero-chemical exposure, our Tatami Mats provide relief from physical strain. When used as floor mats Tatami Mats provide a less impactful surface for walking, kneeling, sitting, or meditating. When used for sleep, Tatami Mats offer a supportive surface with a slight give, helping promote good posture and proper spinal alignment without the hardness of a solid floor. Additionally, Tatami Mats help regulate moisture by absorbing it during periods of high humidity and releasing it back into the air during dry spells, they also help control temperature by behaving as a natural insulator. Features Natural grass straw under woven rush straw Black or Sage Green trim Clean, eco-friendly mats Processed and manufactured naturally Natural, renewable materials No toxic pesticide powders or harmful sprays Meets strict JAS, JIS, and USDA standards Set is comprised of 4 standard Tatami mats and 1 half size
山本亭 (via aquarium1009)
A large combined washitsu and chashitsu is suspended over and old hillside garden in Kansai. Architect Chitoshi Kihara, designer Yasujirou Aoki. Japan
明月院。 ここはちょうど見事な紅葉でした。 Also I just could watch nice autumn leaves.
Completed in 2008 in Israel. Images by Amit Geron . House RNG is a country home built on a hill with a spectacular view. The house is designed around an internal courtyard with a limited number of...
The Japanese have many different finger and hand signals that I was not aware at the beginning of my term here. Two in particular have given me problems on numerous occasions. The first is a hand signal I like to call scoot, as you would scoot a dog away. Holding your hand out with palm down you move your fingers from the palm out. In our culture it means go, get outta here, leave me alone! In Japan it means come here and I have run away from a few people, including my vice-principal, before I understood this one. The other I have had problems with is indicating oneself. We westerns generally tap ourselves on the chest but Japanese point their index finger at their nose and tap it. I initially though people had runny, or sore noses, now I use it like a pro. There are a few other gestures that have meaning in Japan. A pink finger raised means girlfriend and can be a question or an answer. Conversely a thumbs up means boyfriend, my students like to use this frequently. Using your index finger to pull down the bottom of your eye indicates you think the other person is an idiot. To duck a little while moving your hand in a chopping motion in front of your face means you would like to get through and be unobtrusive. Using your hand to fan in front of your nose (like there is a bad smell) means no no, not me, or no thank you. Below Justine and I are demonstrating sad which is placing your index finger on the table and circling it. Jon thought he was demonstrating another version of sad but after speaking to my students and teachers it typically mean shy, or timid and is only a gesture females should use. Apparently, if a woman does this men will think she is cute! Who knew it was so easy! We are making sad because it was Justine's last night in Niigata, she has since gone home to Canada to eat wonderful food and speak to many people who understand English. Can you tell I am slightly craving western food today! It was a month of many goodbyes and now the welcome parties have begun! I will post pictures from Scott's party later. Good luck to all who left!
Tatami Mats or woven mats are traditional flooring used in Japan that is now considered as the “Traditional Portable Bed in Japan.”
Vorig jaar waren we naar Tokyo geweest, waar we kennis hebben gemaakt met tatami matten. Tamati matten zijn traditionele matten uit Japan, die al Ben je ook fan van Japanse interieurs? Klik hier en bekijk hoe je Japanse tatami matten in huis kunt gebruiken!
A New Zealand home inspired by Japanese architecture and passive design principles seeks to cross cultural borders.
Remodeling House Ideas : A Japanese Tatami Mats 03 This kind of tatami chair or bench, still novel today, can be converted into a low table to be used with a small stool. Should one decide to use tatami this way, the ideal height would be about 12-18 inches. It is advisable to add a wooden frame or some kind of border to protect the edges from fraying. When used as a kind of bench, small flat cushions should be placed on it; when converted into a desk, the use of a tray is recommended. These not only help to protect the tatami but also add a decorative element. In Japan there is the notion that tatami are to be used only inside the house. It is not, however, absolutely necessary to confine their use to the interior. It is possible, for example, to use tatami, instead of wood or bamboo, for the veranda, or outside on the lawn as a platform for a picnic or an outdoor concert. Tatami can be used to floor a mobile home or camper. They can then be carried outside and used as mats or as a substitute for beds. In fact, in the past, trains and ships in Japan had sections provided with tatami for the comfort of passengers. Care and Maintenance Tatami are surprisingly durable and easy to clean, requiring only a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner with a special brush attachment. Shoes or even house slippers are not worn on tatami, and furniture with slatted or barred legs is recommended to prevent marks from being made on the tatami. It should be noted that tatami are neither fire-resistant nor stain-resistant. In most homes tatami are aired and dried out once a year in the spring. The straw core will last for many years, but the outer reed will need to be changed every few years by a professional tatami-maker. Although tatami may be used outside, there is one point about which care should be taken: if exposed to sunlight, they will turn yellow. Furthermore, the straw and rushes will shrink, eliminating the layers of air inside, and begin to mold if tatami become too damp. Thus it is important to bring the tatami indoors after use. This has become less of a problem recently, since the use of a polystyrene filling has made tatami more moisture-resistant, but care should be taken nevertheless. WAYS TO USE TATAMI Tatami provide versatility, beauty, and comfort. The simple addition of furniture gives an empty tatami room different functions. TATAMI PATTERNS T-shaped patterns are common but 4- patterns are avoided because of the difficulty in achieving a good fit.
