Tatami mats
evoke the essence of Japan.
The simple yet functional aspects of traditional Japanese furniture, or kagu, are highly sought around the world. Traditional furniture reached its zenith between the 17th and 19th centuries in Japan. With the opening of the country's borders in 1853, it soon became internationally traded and highly desired. Does this Spark an idea?
Tatami
Tatami mats nearly always come to mind when you think of a Japanese-inspired room. These mats are often woven of rice straw and soft rush, although more modern ones are made with compressed wood chips or polystyrene foam. They are made in uniform sizes and are lined with some sort of cloth or brocade. Tatami mats are great for absorbing heat and moisture, although they are fragile, so shoes should not be worn on them.
Tansu
Tansu is a broad term for cabinets or chests. There are many types of chests that were traditionally seen in homes, from the hako kaiden, or stairway chest, which was used as both storage and as a stairway in houses where space was limited, to the chanoyu dana which stored items important to the tea ceremony.
Shoji Screens
Shoji screens, or decorative screens, can be used simply as a piece of art or to create privacy in a room. Screens are generally made by pasting thin paper onto a lattice framework, allowing for light to stream through They can be plain or decorated with simple designs.
Kotatsu
A low table without chairs, kotatsu are covered with blankets and have electric heaters attached to them. People place their legs beneath the blankets and table in the winter. These tables have their origins back in the 14th century, when the tables were initially built over a house's sunken hearth or irori. The kotatsu is quite popular in Japan as most Japanese homes do not have central heating.
Futon
The traditional Japanese futon is different from the Western version. The traditional form of bedding consists of padded mattresses and quilts that can be folded up and stored in a cabinet when not in use, thus utilizing more space. They generally consist of an undermattress, or shikibuton, comforters, commonly known as kakebuton, and pillows, called makura. The thickness of the bedding changes with the season; thinner ones are generally used in the summer while the winter bedding is often much thicker.
Tags: Tatami mats, traditional Japanese