One of two days for tatami mats

In my house every day is a tatami day for me as I sleep in a tatami mat room and one of the living spaces in my house is also tatami mat. Quite a common thing in Japan. But there are also two official Tatami Mat Day 畳の日 (Tatami no Hi) in Japan, and one of them is today, April 29th. The other is September 24th annually.

The anniversaries were established in 1997 by the National Tatami Industry Promotion Association, a Kyoto based organization dedicated to supporting the craft and the future of tatami mats. The spring date was chosen because it coincides with the season when 'igusa' the rush plant used to weave tatami, turns vibrant green. The autumn date was chosen to align with Environmental Sanitation Week and Cleaning Day.

You may know that April 29th is Showa Day and Greenery Day is May 4th. But Greenery Day was actually on April 29th until just under 20 years ago. So, the spring date was also chosen based on that. Regardless, Tatami Mat Day still highlights the tatami for both is cultural and practical sensibilities. The days also serve as a reminder to air and clean your tatami mats.