Installing traditional tatami reed flooring in a new home is commonplace in Japan, but if you live in a country where tatami sellers are few and far between, building that "tatami room" can be a rather difficult and often costly proposition. If you rent, your options are even more limited, and this is true even if you live in Japan.

But there's hope!

You can create a Japanese-style tatami area in your home with Tatami-za, a modular furniture concept from Japanese company Hagihara Furniture.

Tatami-za combines tatami space and storage to easily create a Japanese-style room. It can be used not only as a relaxing space but also as a sofa or even as the perfect sleeping surface for a Japanese futon mattress bed. Since it can be easily configured, removed, and stored compactly, Tatami-za is also great for those who need a temporary tatami room for tea ceremonies or other Japanese cultural activities, as well as those who need extra storage space.

Easy to move

Weighing only 15 lbs and measuring about 2 feet squared and 10 inches high, each unit can be easily moved to any location your desire.

Just place and you're done

Unlike traditional tatami matting which requires detailed measuring, fitting and adjustment, Tatami-za units can simply be placed where you need them.

Multiple configurations possible

Whether it's a square tatami "room," a T- or L-shaped sofa, a single bench or a rectangular resting or sleeping space, you can configure multiple units to suit your needs and situations. If your needs change, you can re-configure them on the spot!

Let's take a look at a few possible situations:

With 2 units (upper left), you can make a personal relaxation space, with 8 units (upper right), you can make a sleeping area for a Japanese futon mattress bed (standard futon size: 6'3" x 3'3), with 6 units (lower left), you can make an L-shaped sofa, and with 9 units (bottom right), you can make a full tatami space.

Convenient low height

At 10 inches, the Tatami-za units are the perfect size for sitting and don't present a challenge for small children and the elderly to step up to.

Plenty of storage space

Especially for people who live in apartments with limited space, Tatami-za presents a convenient and practical way of creating additional storage areas in plain sight, hidden underneath your new tatami area.

Additional features

(Upper left) The authentic natural 藺草 igusa reed tatami surface has a great feel to it and it comes with borders featuring a traditional pattern. (Upper right) Underneath, wooden stoppers keep the tatami panels in place. (Lower left) Underneath the unit, special tape prevents scratching on wooden flooring when you move the units. (Lower right) The tatami panels are light and can be lifted for easy access to the storage space underneath.

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Specifications

• Size (approx.) 60.5 x 60 x 25.5 cm (height)
• Internal dimensions (approx.) 54.5 x 54.5 x 20.5 cm
• Wooden frame size (approx.) 59.5 x 59.5 x 22.5 cm
• Material Wooden frame: mahogany plywood
• Coating: Lacquer coating
• Others: MDF, urethane, igusa reed grass
• Weight 7Kg (Packing weight: 9kg)
• Country of Origin: Made in Indonesia

Tatami-za cost 9,800 JPY plus tax per unit and can be purchased at Qualia's online shop here.

To have them shipped abroad, you'll need to use a forwarding service like Buyee or White Rabbit Express.