Tatami

High school (ages 12+)
Everyday Life

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/tatami

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the surface weaving technique?Weft-faced weave using soft rush (igusa), creating a dense and smooth surface
2. What is a tatami mat?A tatami mat is a soft, woven floor mat from Japan that feels like a comfy puzzle piece. It is made from a core of rice straw and a surface woven from igusa rush.
3. Why do people put their shoes away before stepping on tatami?Removing shoes before stepping on tatami shows respect and keeps the floor clean. It is an important part of Japanese etiquette.

Igusa: Soft rush grass cultivated for its fibrous properties, forming the surface of tatami mats and emitting a distinct aroma.
Doko: The internal core or foundation of a tatami mat, traditionally constructed from layered and compressed rice straw.
Heri: The fabric border or edging applied to the long sides of a tatami mat, serving both decorative and protective functions.
Tameshigiri: The Japanese art of test cutting, historically performed on rolled tatami mats to evaluate sword sharpness and performance.