AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 171 



often to a large extent. Its mode of cultivation resembles that of 

 rice, and it is raised in swampy fields, where rice is sometimes 

 alternated with it. It is propagated by means of rhizoma-cuttings. 

 New plantations are set out in early spring. The plants are grown 

 in rows. Harvest takes place in August. By that time the rushes 

 are about one meter high. They are also called Goza-gusa (mat- 

 herb). They are cut off close above the ground, dried, and put 

 under cover till used, when they are moistened and the epidermis 

 is rubbed off with ashes. 



On page 415 of vol. i. of this work mention is made of the fact 

 that the size of Japanese rooms, and indeed the whole ground- 

 plan of the houses, is determined by the Tatami, or foot-mats. 

 These are rectangles of invariable dimensions, being 6 shaku, or 

 Japanese feet long (at 30"33 cm. per shaku), 3 shaku wide, and 

 -i Shaku thick. Rooms are built and distinguished as containing 

 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and more mats. These Tatami are made of Wara, 

 or rice-straw, closely bound and braided together, constituting 

 their Toko, or bed ; they are fastened at the borders with strips 

 of cloth, and covered and held fast by beautifully-woven rush- 

 mats on the upper side (Omote). The Riu-kiu Islands, Bungo and 

 other provinces of Kiushiu, and above all Bingo, in the Sanyodo, 

 and the neighbouring provinces are celebrated for their rushes and 

 mats. Bingo-omote are valued most. They are more beautiful 

 and dearer than those of Bungo, but not as strong. The rush 

 from which they are made is here called Toso, but in Kiushiu 

 it is called Riu-kiu-I. The cultivation and ultization of the rush, 

 meanwhile, are also carried on in more northern parts of the 

 country, as, for example, in Kaga, where the town of Komatzu 

 and several neighbouring villages are much occupied with this 

 work ; and also in Aidzu-taira, and elsewhere. Besides the above- 

 mentioned Omote, there are made of these rushes the simple Goza, 

 (** august seat ") a word used for matting which serves either as a 

 seat, or as a cover from rain and sunshine ; and also the Seki, or 

 sitting- mats. From these uses the reed is sometimes called Goza- 

 gusa and Seki-gusa. 



13. "VVe have already seen that rice-straw is much used in many 

 kinds of coarse fabrics, such as ropes and mats. The mats on which 

 peasants spread their grain and other crops to dry, and dwellers 

 by the sea the various products which they get from the ocean, 

 are made of this material, and called Mushiro. Another kind of 

 twisted straw, called Komo, is made mostly into sacks for carrying 

 rice, and other purposes. Barley-straw is employed in art-industry, 

 to make fine mosaic-clothing. 



Besides rushes and rice-straw, many kinds of reeds are similarly 

 employed, though no doubt far less extensively than in ancient 

 times. Chief among these are the following : — 



14. Typha Japonica, Miq., Jap. Gama. Of this, soft mats are 

 made, called Gama-mushiro. 



