Tatami coasters and placemats

"Tatami is placed on a floor. Or maybe it's more free"

 

One day in 2016, I visited Yanagawa, Fukuoka.

After taking a boat tour around the moat of Yanagawa Castle, I stoped by a select shop selling local products.

As soon as I entered the store, I was  immediately drawn to the bright red and black tatami mats I had never seen before.

This was my first encounter with Kakegawa weave.

Its vividness, its splendor.

Should tatami be simply placed on a floor? Or tatami can have more freedom.

I received such a hint and as soon as I returned home I contacted the producer, Shimamatsu Co., Ltd.

 

"I was sure this can brighten up your dinner table"

 

Until now, it has been normal that tatami mats are placed on the floor or placed under the feet.

No, tatami mats can be more flexible. How about coasters and placemats?

I was sure this, Kakegawa weave, can brighten up your dining table, and it is a totally new way to use tatami mats.

That's what I intuit.

 

However, due to President Shimamatsu's ill health, he decided to close the business.

 

In that time, he introduced us to Matsumasa Co., Ltd., who have taken over the weave and their philosophy.

 

"What's important is how many different things can be done with igusa grass"

 

In 2023, we visited Masaharu Matsunaga of Matsumasa Co., Ltd in Yanagawa, Fukuoka.

When I opened the large door, my eyes were  caught by the rows of looms and rows of brightly colored igusa grass such as red, blue, green, and orange.

The world of "Hanagoza", which is woven rug of dyed igusa grass, is filled with vibrant patterns, colors, sizes and shapes.

"What's important is how many different things we can do with igusa grass," says Matsunaga.

The material he deals with is the free and colorful "igusa grass", and there is the "desire" to continue to seek new value in his heart.

We would like to put this precious heart into our products, Akane, Icori, Ame, and Yuki, and convey it to the world.

 

 

[What Tatamiya Tatsuzo can do]

 

On the both ends of the tatami coasters and placemats, warp threads that are unique to Kakegawa weave is appeared.

We using techniques handed down by tatami craftsman to tie down the threads by hand, one by one.

The role of a tatami maker is to process precious materials and convey them to you.

I thought and thought about how I should process to make it more appealing.

*The color unique to Kakegawa weave may be faintly blended into the warp threads.

 

[Branding iron as a sign of our respect]

 

 

 

[Learn more about Kakegawa weave] For details, see Matsumasa's page