A craftsman's monologue on early spring in Morioka and the scent of Japanese-style rooms.
*This article contains advertisements.
This morning, I am at the Morioka Ohashi bridge, about a five-minute walk from the west exit of Morioka Station.
Is it still too early to call it early spring?
The bustle of Kaiunbashi and Asahibashi bridges is also a nice, typical part of Morioka, but when I want to gaze at Mount Iwate in peace, coming here is the best.
The wind is still cold and biting, but I felt as if a scent of spring had suddenly mixed into it.
If you say it's just my imagination, that may be true, but it seems that craftsmen tend to become sensitive to such changes in "scent".
Does the smell of tatami really disappear just by laying down a sheet?
Speaking of scents.
Recently, I often receive inquiries from customers troubled by the unique odor of Japanese-style rooms, asking, "Will laying down a deodorizing sheet solve it?"
I will be honest with you.
Just laying a single sheet under the tatami mats,
you cannot really expect a dramatic change...
This is my honest opinion after working with tatami for 30 years.
However, please understand that the effect is not zero.
There is no magic tool that can easily eliminate that heavy, ingrained scent of tatami mats peculiar to old houses.
Of course, it has a certain effect in preventing moisture and mold odors from under the floor.
However, if you seriously want to change the air in your room, you need to put in a little bit of 'effort'.
Before you give up thinking 'it's useless anyway,' here is a bit of good news.
Oh, and when buying tatami sheets, it is less likely to fail if you check them according to your needs, such as deodorizing, insect repellent, or moisture-proofing (dehumidifying).
The following are moisture-proof and deodorizing sheets.
[Advertisement] I use Amazon Associates.
A craftsman's wisdom for 'sealing in' the scent of tatami.
There is a way to maximize the effect using commercially available sheets.
That is the concept of physically 'sealing in' the odor.
First, on a sunny day, carefully clean the dust trapped in the tatami weave, wipe it with a tightly wrung-out cloth, and let it dry thoroughly. This accounts for ninety percent of the work.
After that, lay down a deodorizing sheet, and then cover it with a 'carpet' on top.
The sheet absorbs the scent rising from the tatami mats, and the carpet acts as a lid.
This combination can be called the most practical trick to suppress odors while making the most of your current tatami mats.
Replacing them every two years is, in the end, the most economical approach.
While one would like to think that 'laying it down once means peace of mind for a lifetime,' there are limits to the power of the sheet.
I recommend to my customers that they replace them every two years.
While you are replacing the sheet, lift the tatami mats slightly to let the air circulate.
Letting them 'take a deep breath' in this way is, in the end, the shortcut to making the tatami last longer and keeping the air in your room healthy.
Just as Mount Iwate seen from the Mori no Ohashi bridge remains unchanged forever, a Japanese-style room will also stay with you for a long time if you take care of it.
If there is anyone who would like to know more detailed procedures or how to choose materials for this odor-prevention measure,
I have explained it in detail with photos and more on my Livedoor blog.
Please check it out if you like.
▼[Taught by a tatami craftsman! Tricks to maximize the effectiveness of odor-prevention sheets]
Well, it is time for me to get to work.
May your day be as clear and bright as the sky over Morioka this morning.
Have a wonderful day.
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[Introduction to Maeda Tatami Shop]
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