Igusa, the raw material for tatami mats and woven mats.
Did you know that southern Okayama Prefecture was once a major igusa-producing region?
The history of woven mats in Kurashiki dates back to 200 AD, and by the late 1950s, most of the igusa produced in Japan came from Okayama Prefecture. Kurashiki is also the birthplace of hanagoza flower-patterned mats.
In March 2020, a shop called “Igusaya Hanamushiro” opened in the Bikan Historical Area with the aim of “sharing the story of igusa.”
Introducing Igusaya Hanamushiro, where you can not only buy high-quality products made with igusa, but also enjoy workshops.
The information presented was current when this article was published in June 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Igusaya Hanamushiro
Igusaya Hanamushiro is operated by Try Co., Ltd. and is located inside the company’s restaurant, Toraiya Honpo.
Toraiya Honpo specializes in Okayama’s local specialties and serves dishes made with regional ingredients.
Drawing on traditional food culture, including kibisoba made with millet, the restaurant has shared “what makes this region unique” through creative dishes as well.
As of May 2020, the company operated the following four establishments.
| Establishment | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Toraiya Honpo Main Building | Kibi soba and local cuisine |
| Igusaya Hanamushiro | Hanagoza experiences and igusa fiber products |
| Toraiya Honpo Annex | Specialty Chiyagyu Beef restaurant |
| Jizakeya | Specialty shop for Okayama sake (shop and bar) |
All are based on the concept of “Okayama you can only find here,” with the aim of introducing people to local products and traditions.
As I entered the shop, the fresh, green scent of igusa filled the air and made me feel at ease.
I hear the shop’s name was written by a calligrapher using an “igusa brush.”
The history of igusa in Kurashiki
Before introducing the shop, let’s take a brief look at the history of Kurashiki and igusa, and its appeal, referring to the panels inside Hanamushiro.
The history of igusa in Kurashiki dates back about 1,800 years, to the late Yayoi period.
According to legend, when Empress Jingu stopped at a shrine in what is now Kurashiki City, she had a beautiful grass growing nearby woven into a mat, which she liked very much. This grass is said to have been igusa.
The area around Kurashiki City was once a sea dotted with islands.
During the Edo period, land reclamation in Kurashiki got underway in earnest. Cotton and igusa, which grow well even in salty soil, were widely cultivated.
Tatami mats made from igusa, together with their tatami borders, earned a high reputation throughout Japan.
During the Meiji period, a technique for dyeing igusa was developed in Kurashiki, giving rise to hanagoza, decorative mats woven with patterns from dyed igusa.
By the late 1950s, Okayama Prefecture was Japan’s leading producer of igusa.
Cultivation later declined, but Kurashiki’s advanced processing techniques are still being passed down today.
The appeal of igusa: humidity control and relaxation
Igusa has a natural humidity-regulating function: it absorbs moisture when humidity is high and releases the stored moisture when the air is dry.
Its moisture-absorbing capacity is comparable to that of charcoal.
A six-tatami room covered with igusa can apparently hold about 0.7 liters of water.
Compounds in the scent of igusa have a relaxing effect and are also known to help improve concentration and eliminate odors.
Products from Igusaya Hanamushiro, also recommended as souvenirs
Igusaya Hanamushiro sells items made by local craftspeople and artists, including coasters and baskets made with igusa.
When setting up the shop, they chose handmade works for their initial selection. They wanted to start with a lineup of products that convey the warmth of the maker’s hands.
The product range is expected to grow.
Here are some of the products.
The coasters from IGUSA LABO (500 yen, excluding tax) come in a variety of colors and patterns. They’re lightweight and compact, making them perfect souvenirs!
I use an IGUSA LABO coaster at home. It absorbs moisture better than cotton and resists stains, so it’s easy to use and one of my favorites.
IGUSA GLASS (from 2,500 yen, before tax) is made using ash from IGUSA LABO’s igusa by the glassblowing studio Gurasuta TOMO.
Kurashiki Tocotoco visited Gurasuta TOMO in June 2019.
The cool green color and sleek shape look really stylish.
The igusa basket called an ikago (10,000 yen, before tax) is made by Sunami Toru Shoten.
It is carefully woven.
You can also see and buy larger items, such as an “igusa mat” measuring 110 centimeters long (6,000 yen, before tax) and a one-tatami-size “hanamushiro” (12,250 yen, before tax).
The smooth, cool feel of the igusa is lovely!
There are also unusual items, such as “Someyu,” igusa dyed using traditional methods (1,000 yen, before tax), and “negoma,” bundles of short igusa (300 yen, before tax).
Display them as objects or use them as craft materials.
I thought they looked lovely even just tied together and displayed.
Having one in a room would be relaxing, with the scent of igusa.
The back of the shop opens up into a double-height space where natural light streams in from the ceiling. Ivy can be seen through the skylight, and the circular brick wall is stylish, too.
An object created by Nose Seiko makes a striking impression.
It combines igusa, tatami mats, root balls, and patterns used to make hanagoza (decorative rush mats). It made me realize how stylish igusa and tatami mats can be.
Try Hand Weaving in a Workshop
As of May 2020, a variety of workshops are in the works!
The writer got to try one, too.
30-Minute Workshop: Make a Handwoven Coaster
I made a coaster using a small loom.
I passed strands of igusa in my chosen colors through the loom, which had the warp threads stretched across it.
I wove by passing the igusa alternately in front of and behind the warp threads.
Just slide the igusa smoothly along the wood.
Once you’ve finished passing it through, tap it toward you with a comb.
It’s easy once you get the hang of it!
They explain everything kindly, and since it takes no strength and involves no complicated steps, even elementary school children could probably do it on their own. Younger children would enjoy it with a parent’s help.
The simple, hands-on work is soothing, and of course adults can enjoy making one, too.
After repeating the process about 50 times and tidying the edges, it’s done.
Try Hand Weaving a Hanagoza
Next, I tried hand weaving on a larger loom that can be used to make hanagoza.
It looks difficult at first, but the mechanism is the same as for the coaster.
It feels satisfying to smoothly pass the igusa through using a stick.
You can’t take this one home, but the plan is to eventually combine the mat that customers weave little by little into an object inside the shop.
An object that evolves through everyone’s efforts—what a lovely idea.
More Workshops Planned
They are considering offering a variety of workshops in the future, including making friendship bracelets.
Please contact the shop for details.
After trying the workshop, I felt closer to igusa than ever before.
We spoke with representative director Kusudo Tomio.
Igusaya Hanamushiro Information
| Name | Igusaya Hanamushiro |
|---|---|
| Address | 6-21 Honmachi, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-427-0122 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Monday If Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day |
| Payment methods |
|
| Website | Igusaya Hanamushiro | Toraiya Honpo |
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