Introducing the Tatami Craftsmen of Matsuya Tatami Shop!

This video, titled "Nippon Handicraft Encyclopedia - Matsuya Tatami Shop" (ニッポン手仕事図鑑 × 松屋畳店), was released by "Nippon Handicraft Encyclopedia" (ニッポン手仕事図鑑).
The video shows the craftsmen of Matsuya Tatami Shop, a long-established tatami store with a long history dating back to the Genroku Period, reupholstering tatami mats.

The craftsmen that are introduced in the video are Tomoki Okawa, an 11th generation craftsman of Matsuya Tatami Shop in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, and his father, Masao Okawa, the 10th generation craftsman of the establishment.
You can see Tomoki Okawa from 0:54 and Masao Okawa from 2:15 in the video.

What Are Japan's Tatami Mats?

Photo：The main material of tatami, Igusa

The tatami mat is a traditional flooring in Japan and its main material is rush which is grown by farmers.
Tatami craftsmen knit together domestic, high-quality rush grass using methods that have been handed down since ancient times, and after laying it on a board, sew on the edges.
The size of Japanese tatami mats is fixed, and the tatami mats created by the craftsmen fit perfectly on the floor of Japanese-style rooms like puzzle pieces.

Among those with skills like the craftsmen of Matsuya Tatami Shop introduced in the video, some craftsmen are qualified as First-Class Tatami Technicians.
If you want to change out your Japanese tatami mats, it's best to leave the whole process of tatami mat construction to craftsmanship professionals, such as Matsuya Tatami Shop introduced in the video.

A Look at the Effects and Benefits of Japanese Tatami Mats

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The effects and benefits of Japanese tatami mats include antibacterial properties, air purification, heat insulation, and humidity management.
The fact that tatami, which is cool in summer and warm in winter, has been used since ancient times is a testament to the wisdom of the Japanese people.

Also, the Japanese tatami mat has moderate elasticity and so it can be expected to absorb sounds or vibrations.
Furthermore, Japanese tatami mats are made from naturally derived ingredients, so it also provides a soothing effect similar to the outdoors.
Another good thing about tatami mats is that if you're careful when cleaning them and take proper care of them, they can be used for a long time.

Get Acquainted With Japanese Tatami

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For those who don't have a Japanese-style room, we recommend trying some handicrafts made out of tatami to get an idea of what it's like.
Japanese tatami accessories, such as tatami book covers and card cases seen at 9:41 of the video, are sold on the internet for reasonable prices.

Summary of Matsuya Tatami Shop

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The video showcases the allure of traditional Japanese tatami while introducing Matsuya Tatami Shop.
Many years have passed since the prosperous days of traditional Japanese tatami culture, and in recent years, the number of houses without Japanese-style rooms is increasing.

That being said, recently, Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats are being re-evaluated.
If you're planning on building a house, consider using tatami mats that have a wide range of benefits!