Featured by Japan Life Journal｜Sharing Japanese Tatami Culture with the World

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.

I am honored to share that Higuchi Tatami Shop was recently featured by Japan Life Journal, a media channel introducing Japanese culture to audiences around the world.

The video introduces:

• traditional tatami craftsmanship
• the philosophy behind tatami making
• Japanese lifestyle and culture
• and actual scenes from the workshop

Watch the Featured Video

Watch the full process in this video.

Tatami Through International Eyes

In Japan, tatami is something many people grow up with.

However, for people overseas, tatami often feels completely new.

Many international customers are fascinated by:

• the natural scent of igusa rush grass
• the texture underfoot
• the calming atmosphere
• and the quiet beauty of handmade materials

Through conversations with customers abroad, I increasingly feel that:

👉 Tatami is not simply flooring — it is a lifestyle.

Why Tatami Is Gaining Attention Worldwide

In recent years, global interest in Japanese interiors has grown significantly.

Styles such as:

• Japandi interiors
• minimal living
• natural-material design

have made tatami more relevant than ever.

People today are searching for:

• authenticity
• craftsmanship
• natural materials
• and spaces that feel calm and human

Tatami naturally fits these values.

Tatami Is Handmade Craftsmanship

The video also shows actual scenes from the workshop.

Tatami may appear simple, but every piece requires careful judgment.

When making tatami, we constantly adjust for:

• dimensions
• tension
• humidity
• material condition
• and room shape

Especially with natural igusa, no two materials behave exactly the same.

Temperature and humidity change the flexibility and texture of the tatami surface every day.

👉 This is why experience and craftsmanship still matter.

Techniques Learned Through Kyoto Training

I trained in Kyoto, one of Japan’s historical centers of tatami craftsmanship, and later became a certified:

👉 First-Class Tatami Manufacturing Technician
(一級畳製作技能士)

Today, I continue using both traditional and modern techniques, including:

• hand stitching
• edgeless tatami
• custom architectural fitting
• tea room tatami
• and international tatami installations

Some of these techniques are also shown in the video.

Sharing Tatami Beyond Japan

Today, Higuchi Tatami Shop ships tatami internationally to countries including:

• Greece
• The Netherlands
• Australia
• Mexico

Even across different cultures and lifestyles, many people share the same reaction:

👉 “It feels calming.”
👉 “It changes the atmosphere of the room.”

That feeling seems universal.

What This Experience Meant to Me

Being featured in this video reminded me of something important:

👉 Preserving Japanese craftsmanship also means communicating it.

As craftsmen, we often spend our days quietly working.

But by documenting these processes through video, more people around the world can learn about:

• tatami culture
• traditional craftsmanship
• and the beauty of igusa

Thank You to Japan Life Journal

I would like to sincerely thank Japan Life Journal for taking the time to visit and document my work so thoughtfully.

They are doing wonderful work introducing Japanese culture to an international audience, and I highly recommend watching their videos.

About Higuchi Tatami Shop

Higuchi Tatami Shop is based in Tokyo and specializes in:

• tatami replacement
• custom tatami production
• edgeless tatami
• handcrafted tatami processing
• and international shipping

If you are interested in authentic Japanese tatami craftsmanship, please feel free to contact us.

👉 Contact Higuchi Tatami Shop
👉 View Tatami Project Gallery