Stone-Paved Inspired Tatami for a Piano Studio in Tokyo｜A Custom Edgeless Tatami Installation Using Three Generations of Igusa

About the Author

Yusuke Higuchi

Nationally Certified First-Class Tatami Master Owner of Higuchi Tatami Shop, Tokyo

Yusuke Higuchi is a premier tatami craftsman based in Tokyo, Japan, dedicated to delivering authentic Japanese comfort to homes worldwide. He perfected his craft in Kyoto under the tutelage of a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" (Medal with Yellow Ribbon recipient), mastering the millimeter-level precision required for temples and high-end tea rooms.

• 🏆 Award: Winner of the Kyoto Tatami Competition (Governor’s Award)
• 📜 Certification: National Level 1 Tatami Craftsmanship (The highest in Japan)
• 🌎 Global Service: Specializing in custom-made tatami mats for international shipping.

Hello, this is Yusuke Higuchi from Higuchi Tatami Shop.

Today, I would like to share one of the most technically challenging and rewarding tatami projects I have worked on in recent years.

This project involved creating a custom edgeless tatami installation for a beautiful piano studio in Katsushika, Tokyo.

But this was not simply a tatami replacement.

It was a project about:

• designing space through natural materials
• expressing depth through color variations in igusa
• and fitting traditional craftsmanship into a modern architectural environment

A “Stone-Paved” Tatami Design

For this studio, we used:

👉 Kumamoto-grown Me-seki woven igusa tatami omote
(a fine weave commonly used for high-end edgeless tatami)

Normally, edgeless tatami is installed in a traditional checkerboard pattern by alternating the weaving direction to create subtle light reflections.

However, this time we aimed for something different:

👉 a stone-paved inspired tatami composition

Rather than relying only on directional light reflection, we created actual tonal variation using naturally aged igusa.

Using Three Different Harvest Years of Igusa

This project’s most unique feature was the use of tatami omote made from igusa harvested in:

• the previous year
• two years ago
• and three years ago

Natural igusa changes color over time.

Fresh igusa has a stronger green tone, while older igusa gradually develops a softer and deeper character.

By carefully arranging these materials, we created:

👉 a natural gradient across the floor

The result resembles traditional stone pavement rather than a standard checkerboard tatami layout.

Why Natural Igusa Creates a Different Kind of Beauty

This effect cannot truly be replicated with printed materials or artificial surfaces.

Natural igusa responds to:

• time
• humidity
• light
• and aging

Each tatami mat reflects light differently, creating subtle visual movement throughout the room.

👉 This is the beauty of working with living natural materials.

The Biggest Challenge｜This Was Not Originally a Japanese Room

Technically, this was an extremely difficult installation.

The room was not originally designed as a traditional tatami room.

That meant:

• exposed stone edges
• large structural pillars
• uneven architectural lines
• and walls that were not perfectly straight

However, tatami layout lines still need to align precisely.

Even small errors become highly visible in an edgeless tatami installation.

I Had to Rework the Pillars Twice

To be honest:

👉 the tatami did not fit perfectly on the first attempt.

The pillar areas were especially difficult.

I had to bring the mats back and make adjustments twice before achieving the final fit.

At first glance, pillars often appear straight.

In reality:

• the dimensions shift from top to bottom
• corners are irregular
• and stone transitions create unpredictable distortions

This type of work cannot be solved only by measurements or drawings.

It requires experience, judgment, and repeated refinement.

Why Difficult Projects Matter

Projects like this remind me that craftsmanship is never “finished.”

Honestly, this project was frustrating at times.

But at the same time, it confirmed something important:

👉 there is always room to improve

And that is one of the reasons I continue making tatami.

Gratitude to the Igusa Farmer

This project would not have been possible without the cooperation of the igusa farmer.

Using tatami omote from multiple harvest years is not a normal request.

I am deeply grateful to the farmers who support these kinds of creative challenges.

Traditional craftsmanship only exists because skilled material makers continue their work behind the scenes.

Gratitude to the Client

Most importantly, I would like to thank the client for trusting me with such an ambitious project.

Tatami is not simply a flooring material.

When clients truly care about atmosphere and spatial design, tatami can become part of the architecture itself.

Tatami as Interior Design, Not Just Tradition

Today, tatami is evolving far beyond the image of a “traditional Japanese room.”

It is increasingly used in:

• Japandi interiors
• modern studios
• minimalist architecture
• and international interior design projects

👉 Tatami is becoming a design material for contemporary living.

About Higuchi Tatami Shop

I am a Kyoto-trained, certified first-class tatami craftsman based in Tokyo.

At Higuchi Tatami Shop, we specialize in:

• custom tatami installations
• edgeless tatami
• high-end natural igusa
• handmade processing techniques
• and international tatami projects

If you are looking for truly custom tatami craftsmanship, feel free to contact us.

👉 Contact Higuchi Tatami Shop
👉 View more custom tatami projects