Tatami Mats for Aikido - Judo

[Paulo K. Ogino]

I saw the previous posts, but I'd like to have some suggestions for tatami mats. I'm planning to build my own dojo (I'm an architect) for personal practice and maybe small groups practice. Some of the styles to be practiced are Aikido, Judo, Iaido, Kenjutstu, Jodo, Kendo, etc. I'm in a low budget so I'd like to have as many advice as I may have. Thankz!!!

Musha Mono carries excellent dojo mats like those used at the Tokyo Budokan. If your're an architect you'll especially like these since they're not only practical but good looking too.

see them at:

www.mushamono.com
Hope that helps.

Ulysses Beato
NYC Benevolent Heart dojo

www.bujinkannyc.org

[George Kohler]

I went to the website and can't find the mats. Do you still carry them?

[pgsmith]

Hey George,
I went over to that site when he first posted this last year. They didn't have them up then. I don't know if they're still in business since the site doesn't seem to have changed since I checked it out last year. If you contact them, let me know what they say will you?

Thanks,

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by George Kohler
I went to the website and can't find the mats. Do you still carry them?

I don't know the Web site, but Mike Swain, the former Olympic Judo champion, has a company that sells many different types of mats, from the tatami style rectangular mats to the popular "jigsaw puzzle" square mats.

Any search engine would probably take you there if you looked up "Swain AND mats."

[chizikunbo]

Does anyone know where to get real straw tatami like original japanese dojo and housing had?

[IronFan1]

I FOUND THIS SITE DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR BUT CHECK IT OUT.
http://www.japan-arts.com/tatami_mats.html


TOM THORNTON

[pgsmith]

There has to be someone in the area as quite a few of the Japanese restaurants have tatami rooms. I have done a little looking around and haven't found a thing. I haven't gotten terribly serious about finding it though as it was just curiousity for future use.

Sorry man!

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by George Kohler
...Do you know of any places in the DFW area that might have real tatami mats?

Uwajimaya in Seattle used to carry them, but I haven't seen them lately. I suspect demand isn't high enough, and we have a fairly large Japanese community here. I don't know about Dallas's.

I suspect that now the best bet is to check New York, Los Angeles, and Japan for suppliers that ship.

[kenkyusha]

Chizikunbo, if you are seriously considering using tatami for a dojo, be prepared to replace the rush covering on a regular basis. Also, maintenance (most particularly airing them out) is absolutely necessary to prevent rot from dampness and/or insects. Oh and Ironfan... dude, stop yelling...

Be well,
Jigme

[chizikunbo]

Originally posted by IronFan1
I FOUND THIS SITE DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR BUT CHECK IT OUT.
http://www.japan-arts.com/tatami_mats.html


TOM THORNTON

That is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks

[IronFan1]

lol....sorry man wans't yelling i just hit the caps lock and didnt take it off.


Ton Thornton

[chizikunbo]

I didnt take it that way(if you were talking to me)I do those things all of the time

[Aaron T]

Straw tatami for flooring...in Seattle try Bush Woodwork.

For judo I own and recommend zebra mats and some older straw judo mats...



Aaron Fields

Should also consider that Kendo doesn't require tatami mats and actually needs a soft hardwood floor since it requires a fumikomi strike and stomping/jumping.

So if you really plan on trying to accommodate several other things that doesn't not involve floor movement, need to be able to pick up and remove the tatami mats.

Of course, you _can_ practice Kendo on mats but anyone who does and then goes out to another place for a tournament/seminar will be have quite a disadvantage. They may also severely injury themselves if they are not used to a wooden floor after long practices on soft mats.