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The etymological derivation of the term 'tatami' suggests its origins lie in a Japanese verb signifying 'to cut,' implying that early iterations of the mat were characterized by precise geometric shaping.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'tatami' originates from the Japanese verb 'tatamu,' which means 'to fold' or 'to pile.' This etymology indicates that early tatami were likely more flexible and designed for folding or stacking, rather than precise cutting.
During the Heian period, tatami were commonly used to cover the floors of entire houses.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Heian period, tatami were luxury items used primarily as individual seating for aristocrats, not for covering entire house floors.
The Shoin-zukuri architectural style, popular in the Muromachi period, contributed to the practice of covering entire rooms with tatami.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Shoin-zukuri architectural style, prominent from the Kamakura through Muromachi periods, was indeed associated with the gradual adoption of tatami for covering entire rooms.
Tatami became affordable and common in the homes of ordinary people by the early 1600s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Tatami became common in the homes of ordinary people towards the end of the 17th century, not by the early 1600s.
The provided image depicting individuals engaged in the fabrication of tatami mats is chronologically situated in the early 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The image depicting the process of making tatami mats is dated to the late 19th century, not the early 20th century.
The illustration dating from 1296 predominantly depicts tatami mats being employed as individual sleeping surfaces.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1296 illustration actually shows a floor almost entirely covered with tatami mats, indicating the growing trend of full tatami coverage in rooms rather than their use as individual sleeping mats.
The 'shoin-zukuri' style marked the beginning of tatami being used as seating for aristocrats.
Answer: False
Explanation: Tatami were initially used as seating for aristocrats during the Heian period's *shinden-zukuri* style. The *shoin-zukuri* style, emerging later, was associated with the practice of covering entire rooms with tatami.
Which verb does the word 'tatami' originate from, and what does it suggest about early mats?
Answer: Tatamu (to fold or pile), suggesting flexibility.
Explanation: The term 'tatami' derives from the Japanese verb 'tatamu,' signifying 'to fold' or 'to pile.' This etymology implies that early tatami were likely thinner and more pliable, intended for folding or stacking.
How did the use of tatami evolve from the Heian period to the Muromachi period?
Answer: From luxury seating for aristocrats to covering entire rooms.
Explanation: During the Heian period, tatami were exclusive luxury items for seating high-ranking aristocrats. By the Muromachi period, influenced by 'shoin-zukuri' architecture, tatami usage evolved to encompass entire rooms.
What architectural style is associated with tatami gradually covering entire rooms?
Answer: Shoin-zukuri
Explanation: The 'shoin-zukuri' architectural style, prominent from the Kamakura through Muromachi periods, facilitated the gradual expansion of tatami coverage to entire rooms.
When did tatami become commonly found in the homes of ordinary people in Japan?
Answer: By the end of the 17th century.
Explanation: Once a luxury for the nobility, tatami became increasingly accessible and common in the residences of ordinary people by the conclusion of the 17th century.
Which illustration depicts tatami being used as sleeping mats?
Answer: The 1309 illustration.
Explanation: The illustration from 1309 portrays tatami employed as sleeping mats, functioning akin to bedding or futons.
The illustration dated 1150-1200 depicts courtiers doing what activity?
Answer: Engaged in music
Explanation: The illustration from circa 1150-1200 depicts courtiers performing music, suggesting the presence of tatami or analogous mats as flooring in aristocratic environments of the era.
The surface of a traditional tatami mat is constructed from coarse hemp fibers, and its core is composed of compressed wood chips.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. The surface of a traditional tatami mat is typically made from soft rush (igusa), woven onto a hemp or cotton warp. The traditional core is sewn rice straw, not compressed wood chips.
A cross-section examination of a modern tatami mat demonstrates that its core is constructed exclusively from rice straw.
Answer: False
Explanation: Modern tatami mats often feature cores made from materials such as extruded polystyrene foam or compressed wood chips, differing from the traditional core material of sewn rice straw.
The core of a traditional tatami mat is typically made of rice straw.
Answer: True
Explanation: The traditional core, or 'doko', of a tatami mat is indeed constructed from sewn rice straw.
What does a cross-section image of a modern tatami mat typically reveal about its core?
Answer: It often uses materials like extruded polystyrene foam.
Explanation: A cross-section view of a modern tatami mat reveals its internal structure, notably the utilization of materials such as extruded polystyrene foam or compressed wood chip boards, contrasting with traditional rice straw cores.
What material forms the surface weave of a traditional tatami mat?
Answer: Soft rush (igusa)
Explanation: The surface of a traditional tatami mat features a weft-faced weave of soft rush ('igusa') over a warp of hemp or cotton.
What is the primary material for the core ('doko') of a TRADITIONAL tatami mat?
Answer: Sewn rice straw
Explanation: The traditional core, or 'doko', of a tatami mat is constructed from sewn rice straw.
A standard tatami mat is approximately square, with its length and width being nearly equal.
Answer: False
Explanation: Standard tatami mats are rectangular, with their length typically being approximately twice their width, not nearly equal.
Kyoma, Chukyoma, and Edoma are distinct regional variations in tatami mat dimensions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Kyoma, Chukyoma, and Edoma are indeed recognized as the three main regional variations in tatami mat dimensions.
In contemporary Japanese architectural practice, room dimensions are predominantly quantified in square meters, with tatami mat configurations serving as a secondary metric.
Answer: False
Explanation: Traditionally, and often still in practice, Japanese room sizes are measured by the number of tatami mats they accommodate, denoted by the suffix '-jo'. Square meters are a more modern, Western-influenced unit.
Within the traditional Japanese system of measurement, a 'tsubo' is defined as a unit of length precisely equivalent to the dimension of a single tatami mat.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'tsubo' is a unit of area, not length. It is equivalent to the area of two standard tatami mats laid side-by-side, approximately 3.306 square meters.
The navbox lists 'Ken' as a traditional Japanese measurement unit related to architecture.
Answer: True
Explanation: The navbox concerning Japanese architecture does list 'Ken' among traditional measurement units.
A 'tsubo' is a unit of area equal to one standard tatami mat.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'tsubo' is a unit of area measurement equivalent to two standard tatami mats, approximately 3.306 square meters, not the area of a single mat.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three main regional variations of tatami size?
Answer: Hanjoma
Explanation: The three main regional variations are Kyoma, Chukyoma, and Edoma. 'Hanjoma' refers to a mat of half standard width, not a regional size classification.
How are room sizes traditionally measured in Japan using tatami mats?
Answer: By the number of tatami mats ('-jo').
Explanation: Room dimensions in Japan are traditionally quantified by the number of tatami mats they accommodate, denoted by the suffix '-jo', such as a 6-jo or 8-jo room.
What is a 'tsubo' in the context of Japanese area measurement?
Answer: A unit of area equal to two standard tatami mats.
Explanation: A 'tsubo' is a traditional Japanese unit of area, frequently employed for floor space measurement. It equates to the area of two standard tatami mats arranged in a square, approximately 3.306 square meters.
What is the approximate size of a 'tsubo' in square meters?
Answer: Approx. 3.3 m²
Explanation: A 'tsubo' is a traditional Japanese unit of area equivalent to approximately 3.306 square meters.
Which of the following is a traditional Japanese unit of length mentioned in the navbox?
Answer: Shaku
Explanation: The navbox concerning Japanese architecture lists 'Shaku' among traditional measurement units of length.
What is the approximate dimension of a common tatami mat?
Answer: 0.9 meters by 1.8 meters
Explanation: Tatami mats are manufactured to standard dimensions, typically exhibiting a length approximately double their width. A prevalent size is around 0.9 by 1.8 meters.
Tatami arrangements are classified as 'auspicious' and 'inauspicious' based on how the mats are joined.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the Edo period, tatami layouts were indeed classified as 'auspicious' (shugijiki) and 'inauspicious' (fushugijiki), differentiated by the junction patterns.
The '+' shaped junction, where four tatami mats meet, is recognized as the auspicious arrangement in traditional Japanese design.
Answer: False
Explanation: The '+' shaped junction, where four tatami mats meet, is considered inauspicious. Auspicious arrangements are characterized by 'T' shaped junctions.
The avoidance of the '+' shaped tatami layout in contemporary settings is primarily attributed to its computational complexity in tiling.
Answer: False
Explanation: The '+' shaped tatami layout is avoided today primarily due to its historical association with bad luck, not because of computational complexity. The NP-complete nature relates to determining auspicious tiling for large rooms, not the avoidance of the '+' junction itself.
Determining if a large room can be auspiciously tiled using only full tatami mats is considered an NP-complete problem.
Answer: True
Explanation: The problem of determining auspicious tatami tiling for large rooms using only full mats is indeed classified as NP-complete, indicating significant computational difficulty for larger spaces.
The '+' shaped junction, where four tatami mats converge, is regarded as auspicious and is frequently incorporated into contemporary tatami arrangements.
Answer: False
Explanation: The '+' shaped junction, where four tatami mats meet, is historically considered inauspicious. Auspicious arrangements typically feature 'T' shaped junctions.
What is the significance of the 'T' shaped junction in tatami arrangements?
Answer: It is considered auspicious and favorable.
Explanation: The 'T' shaped junction of tatami mats is deemed auspicious, signifying a favorable configuration in traditional Japanese design.
Why is the '+' shaped tatami layout generally avoided in modern times?
Answer: It is associated with bad luck.
Explanation: The '+' shaped tatami layout is avoided today primarily due to its historical association with misfortune, not due to manufacturing difficulty or spatial constraints.
The problem of determining auspicious tatami tiling for large rooms using only full mats is classified as:
Answer: NP-complete
Explanation: The problem of determining if a large room can be auspiciously tiled using only full tatami mats is classified as NP-complete, indicating significant computational difficulty for larger spaces.
What does the image labeled 'T' shape visually demonstrate?
Answer: The junction pattern of an auspicious tatami layout.
Explanation: The image labeled 'T' shape visually illustrates the junction pattern of an auspicious tatami arrangement, where mats meet in a 'T' configuration, distinct from a cross.
A 'hanjo' is a tatami mat that is half the standard width but full length, while a 'daimedatami' is a three-quarter length mat used in tea rooms.
Answer: True
Explanation: This description accurately defines a 'hanjo' as a half-width mat and a 'daimedatami' as a three-quarter length mat often used in tea rooms.
Ryukyu tatami are distinguished by their substantial dimensions and elaborate borders, rendering them appropriate for formal environments.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ryukyu tatami are typically square-shaped and lack borders, distinguishing them from standard rectangular tatami which may have borders. Their aesthetic is often considered minimalist rather than formal.
A 'daimedatami' is a tatami mat specifically designed for tea ceremony rooms and is three-quarters the standard length.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement accurately describes the 'daimedatami' as a three-quarter length mat often used in tea ceremony rooms.
All tatami mats are invariably rectangular in shape and feature borders exclusively constructed from hemp.
Answer: False
Explanation: While many tatami mats are rectangular and may have hemp borders, this is not universally true. For example, Ryukyu tatami are square and often lack borders.
What distinguishes Ryukyu tatami from more common types?
Answer: They are square-shaped and typically lack borders.
Explanation: Ryukyu tatami, originating from the Ryukyu Islands, are characterized by their square shape and the frequent absence of borders, differentiating them from standard rectangular tatami.
What is a 'hanjo' tatami mat?
Answer: A mat that is half the standard width.
Explanation: A 'hanjo' is a tatami mat that is half the standard width, often paired with full-sized mats.
In contemporary Japanese residences, the principal application of tatami mats is as a decorative wall hanging.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. Tatami mats are fundamentally designed and utilized as a primary flooring material in traditional Japanese rooms (washitsu), not as decorative wall hangings.
Beyond residential applications, tatami mats are commonly employed in martial arts dojos.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tatami mats are indeed utilized in martial arts settings, such as dojos, highlighting their durability and shock-absorbent properties.
A 'zashiki' is a type of tatami mat used exclusively for sleeping.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'zashiki' refers to a room whose floor is entirely covered with tatami mats, not a type of mat itself. The term relates to sitting or dwelling within such a room.
The term 'washitsu' refers to a room with tatami flooring.
Answer: True
Explanation: The term 'washitsu' specifically denotes a traditional Japanese-style room, characterized by its tatami flooring.
Fusuma and Shoji are examples of partitions used in traditional Japanese architecture.
Answer: True
Explanation: Fusuma (sliding doors) and Shoji (paper screens) are indeed common examples of partitions found in traditional Japanese architectural designs.
The navbox includes 'Chashitsu' (tea room) as a type of room found in traditional Japanese architecture.
Answer: True
Explanation: The navbox does list 'Chashitsu' (tea room) among the types of rooms found in traditional Japanese architecture.
What is the primary function of tatami mats in traditional Japanese homes?
Answer: To provide a soft, comfortable flooring material.
Explanation: Tatami mats serve as the primary flooring material in traditional Japanese rooms (washitsu), offering a comfortable and aesthetically valued surface for domestic activities.
What does the term 'zashiki' refer to in relation to tatami?
Answer: A room where the entire floor is covered with tatami mats.
Explanation: The term 'zashiki' denotes rooms entirely floored with tatami mats, a practice that became established during the Muromachi period.
In the context of traditional Japanese architecture, what is 'Fusuma'?
Answer: A sliding door.
Explanation: Fusuma are traditional Japanese sliding doors, often decorated, used as partitions within rooms.
What does the navbox list as a type of room in traditional Japanese architecture?
Answer: Kitchen (Daidokoro)
Explanation: The navbox lists 'Daidokoro' (kitchen) among the types of rooms found in traditional Japanese architecture.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a secular architectural style in the navbox?
Answer: Washitsu
Explanation: The navbox lists 'Shoin', 'Jutaku', and 'Sukiya' as secular architectural styles. 'Washitsu' refers to a type of room, not an architectural style itself.
Tatami mats are also utilized in which specific setting outside of homes?
Answer: Martial arts dojos
Explanation: Beyond domestic applications, tatami mats are employed in martial arts dojos, serving training and competitive functions.