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.
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