Summer Floor Coverings

Stores sell rugs and floor coverings throughout the year. During the summer months, they sell floor coverings that are made of woven straw. These are not tatami, the traditional straw mats. These rugs would be used on a wooden floor or even in a washitsu, a room with traditional tatami built into the floor. We have used straw rugs to protect the tatami from summer sweat. The rugs can easily be taken outside and aired out in the sun in the garden or on the balcony.

Most of these straw floor coverings or rugs are plain. Some have designs. This one has dragonflies on it. Dragonflies are a summery motif that is used on fans, handkerchiefs and yukata, etc.

Do a blog search for pictures of yukata, dragonflies, etc. or go to the archives and click on June, July, or August 2006 to see more summer pictures. The label below will show a few of the posts as well.