June 10, 1878
"Do not be misled by the use of word matting. Japanese house-mats, tatami, are as neat, refined, and soft a covering for the floor as the finest Axminster carpet. They are 5 feet 9 inches long, 3 feet broad, and 2 1/2 inches thick. The frame is solidly made of coarse straw and covered with very fine woven matting, as nearly white as possible, and each mat is usually bound with dark blue cloth. Temples and rooms are measured by the number of mats they contain, and rooms must be built for the mats, as they are never cut to the rooms. They are soft and elastic, and the finer qualities are very beautiful. They are as expensive as the best Brussels carpet, and the Japanese take great pride in them, and are much aggrieved by the way in which some thoughtless foreigners stamp over them with dirty boots. Unfortunately, they harbour myriads of fleas." p. 44
Posted by Isabella L. Bird
March 20, 2002
Share Your Thoughts
Unbeaten Tracks In Japan.
Isabella L. Bird.
G. P. Putnam and Sons, New York. 1880