Japanese Mat Loom

Here’s an interesting piece of technology, in use from ancient times until the early 20th century. It’s the business-end of a loom for weaving rush mats, once ubiquitous in Japan for use as floor coverings, sleeping mats, et c. (imagine very rustic mats, not the tatami mats currently still made and widely used in Japan). It was suspended in the warp on a simple frame loom, and acted as both the reed and the beater (see image). Even without knowledge of its history, it is a wonderful sculptural form, easily displayed horizontally (as used) or vertically.