Definition of
tatami
tatami is a term whose origins lie in the language japanese. It is a surface on which various Martial Arts and certain activities take place in Japanese houses.
The tatami is a mat that is usually made with strawalthough currently there are also tatamis made with Synthetic materials. The traditional design of Japanese homes contemplates various precepts when arranging tatami mats in a atmosphere.
Specifically, it must be stated that the traditional and classic tatami of Japan is characterized by the following particularities:
-It is made with what is rice straw that is then covered with another natural product such as igusa bamboo.
-If it was so present in many homes, and continues to be so in others, it is precisely because this type of tatami not only provides warmth but also a pleasant sensation of comfort and the necessary hardness.
There are many companies, both in the Japanese country and abroad, that do not hesitate to resort to the manufacture of tatami mats. Those, in order to ensure the health and safety of their customers, what they do is offer them the guarantees that their products have a sanitary certificate that certifies that the rice straw and bamboo used do not have bacteria or bugs of any kind.
At first, the tatami was an accessory that was found in the houses of the families of better economic position, since it allowed to cover the floor of land. Over time its use spread and acquired other characteristics. The tea ceremonyfor example, is performed on a tatami.
Tatamis also earned a place in martial arts. Sports As the karate and the judo they are usually practiced on a tatami: the competitors, therefore, step on its surface while fighting.
It is called tatami iwashion the other hand, to a gastronomic preparation made with sardines (A class of fish). Its preparation involves drying the sardines in the sun and then intertwining them together, forming a kind of sheet.
Once the iwashi tatami is assembled, it can be cut and used in different ways. dishes. It is possible to use the iwashi tatami as an appetizer or inside soups, to name a few possibilities.
The iwashi tatami is also considered as sakana: an accompaniment to alcoholic beverages such as sake. In this sense, the product fulfills a role similar to that of Spanish tapas.
Several interesting facts about this dish are worth highlighting:
-It gets its name from tatami because it aesthetically resembles the aforementioned rice straw rugs from Japan.
-Can be cut into different sizes.
-It becomes one of the most frequent appetizers offered in Japanese restaurants to accompany a beer.
In the same way, we cannot forget that Tatami is also the name of a Japanese restaurant in the city of Santander that receives the same name because diners enjoy their meals while sitting or lying on those aforementioned classic straw rugs.