Yusuke Higuchi First-Class Certified Tatami Technician / Owner of Higuchi Tatami Shop Born in Tokyo in 1992. In April 2011, he moved to Kyoto to begin a traditional apprenticeship at Sawabe Tatami Co., Ltd., a prestigious workshop owned by a recipient of the "Contemporary Master Craftsman" award and the Yellow Ribbon Medal. During this time, he also enrolled in the Kyoto Tatami Technical School. From 2012, he studied interior finishing at "Mirai-juku" hosted by Nishiwaki Tatami & Rugs, serving as the lead instructor from 2014. His exceptional skill was recognized with the Kyoto Prefecture Governor’s Award (the highest honor) for four consecutive years (2011–2014) at the Kyoto Tatami Craft Competition held at Kyoto Pulse Plaza. After graduating from the Kyoto Tatami Technical College in December 2014, he earned his certification as a First-Class Tatami Manufacturing Technician in September 2016. He has extensive experience working on high-profile projects, including the restoration of tatami in Kyoto’s historic temples and cultural heritage sites. In April 2017, after six years of rigorous training in Kyoto, he returned to Tokyo to launch his blog, "Rush Artisan" (now "Edogawa-ku Tatami Shop | Higuchi Tatami Shop Blog"), while continuing his craft. In November 2020, he officially established Higuchi Tatami Shop in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo.