畳(たたみ)

畳(たたみ) is a traditional Japanese straw mat used as flooring. Made from woven 藺草(いぐさ) (rush grass) over a rice straw core, tatami has a distinctive fresh, grassy scent when new.

Measurement

The counter 畳(じょう) measures room size by the number of mats:

• 四畳半(よじょうはん): 4.5 mats (~7.3 sq m) — a small room
• 六畳(ろくじょう): 6 mats (~9.7 sq m) — standard bedroom
• 八畳(はちじょう): 8 mats (~13 sq m) — a spacious room

Etiquette

• Always remove shoes before stepping on tatami
• Avoid stepping on the 縁(へり) (border/edging) of the mats
• Do not drag furniture across tatami

Cultural note

Tatami rooms (和室(わしつ)) are found in most traditional Japanese homes, inns (旅館(りょかん)), and temples. They are associated with 正座(せいざ) (sitting on the knees), 布団(ふとん) (futon sleeping), and the 茶道(さどう) (tea ceremony).