Quote:
Originally Posted by WingsToDiscovery
I can't help but associate the smell with uncleanliness. I'm not sure if it's any more or less smelly than normal; the only other time I've been in a tatami room it's been in open air, traditional houses. I've actually never been in an apartment with tatami.
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My apartment has tatami... and in my experience having tatami that smells a little strong is a sign of newer tatami. In other words, it's not a smell I'd attribute to uncleanliness.
However, if it is an unusual smell for tatami, then you might just have to get used to it. I have a place where I cut some old unused tatami (like really old) so it would fit into the room I am using and it definitely has a unique smell even in terms of tatami (but again it's old and it doesn't use the same kind of fillers as the newer tatami do). It's been over a year and though the smell has diminished ever so slightly (that or I've gotten used to it) I don't expect it to go away any time soon. I'm not kidding when I say this... the smell literally sticks to my clothes when I'm in the room for extended periods of time. This is probably the "damp" tatami that Nyororin is talking about. Considering the humidity is like 90% in that room all day. I wonder if a dehumidifier wouldn't help prevent "damp" tatami?
My wife (who is Japanese) has commented on the smell... not that it's bad, but that it's just strong. In fact, I know people who like the smell of a strong tatami (both women and men).
At any rate, I think that once you move your stuff in and start living in that room the smell will go away-- you'll get used to it for one, and two... you'll be living in there so "your smell" will kind of take over.
One more thing-- as far as cleaning or patting tatami goes, be careful not to over do it. I've heard that patting tatami too much can cause bug problems. They either come out from within the tatami or the tatami releases some kind of smell... I'm not sure and I'm sure everyone has their unique opinion about this. But one thing is for sure, if you aren't fully moved in yet, take the opportunity to pat and wipe off your tatami. You'd be surprised at how much dust can settle in and on tatami. If you're worried about uncleanliness I'd be worried about that rather than the smell.