Why I Choose Takeshi Hayakawa’s Tatami Omote｜The Extraordinary Beauty of “Hinosarasa,” a Five-Time Minister of Agriculture Award Winner

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.

Previously, I wrote about Kumamoto igusa farmer Hideo Yamanoto and his tatami omote “Shiokaze.”

Today, I would like to introduce another legendary igusa farmer from Kumamoto:

👉 Takeshi Hayakawa

One of the most respected figures in the Japanese tatami industry.

A Legendary Igusa Farmer｜Winner of the Minister of Agriculture Award Five Times

Mr. Hayakawa has received the:

👉 Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
five separate times.

In Japan, this is considered one of the highest honors in agriculture and traditional material production.

The award recognizes producers with exceptional:

• quality
• cultivation techniques
• consistency
• craftsmanship
• and contribution to the industry

Receiving this award even once is extremely difficult.

Receiving it five times is extraordinary.

Especially in igusa farming, where weather, humidity, disease, and seasonal conditions heavily affect the crop, maintaining this level of quality year after year requires remarkable skill and experience.

For many people in the tatami industry,

👉 Mr. Hayakawa is considered a true legend.

The Tatami Omote We Use｜“Shokunin Damashii Premium”

At Higuchi Tatami Shop, the tatami omote we use from Mr. Hayakawa is called:

👉 Shokunin Damashii Tatami Omote Premium

This material is certified under Kumamoto’s highest-grade tatami brand:

👉 Hinosarasa

What Is “Hinosarasa”?

“Hinosarasa” is a premium tatami omote woven from:

👉 Hinomidori igusa

a special igusa variety developed over ten years in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Only tatami omote that passes extremely strict quality standards can receive the “Hinosarasa” certification.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name “Hinosarasa” comes from:

👉 Sarasa — traditional patterned silk textiles

The idea behind the name is:

👉 a tatami surface as smooth, refined, and elegant as silk fabric.

After actually installing it, the meaning becomes immediately clear.

What Makes Hinomidori Special?

Hinomidori has several unique characteristics compared to conventional igusa varieties.

Characteristics of Hinomidori

• extremely thin stems
• very few flowering heads
• minimal discoloration
• shorter white root sections and dry tips

These characteristics create an exceptionally clean and refined tatami surface.

Tatami Craftsmen Examine the Tips of Igusa

There is something most customers never see.

When professional tatami craftsmen evaluate tatami omote, we often examine:

👉 the tip of the igusa itself

Why?

Because the shape tells us how densely the fibers are packed.

High-quality igusa with dense internal fibers tends to form:

👉 a clean cylindrical shape

Lower-density igusa often becomes more oval-shaped.

We also lightly press the tip with our fingers.

The elasticity immediately tells us the difference in quality.

Good igusa has:

• strong resilience
• dense fibers
• and excellent firmness

Mr. Hayakawa’s igusa is remarkable in this regard.

The stems are beautifully cylindrical and incredibly elastic.

When you touch them, you can immediately feel:

👉 “the density is different.”

This is one of the reasons his tatami omote has such extraordinary durability and visual depth.

Why This Tatami Omote Looks So Beautiful

The thinness of Hinomidori igusa creates a very distinct surface texture.

The ridges and valleys of the tatami become sharply defined, giving the floor incredible dimensionality.

At the same time:

👉 color inconsistency near the edges is almost nonexistent

which creates a very refined and luxurious appearance throughout the room.

The Gloss Is Extraordinary

The gloss of this tatami omote is truly exceptional.

It looks beautiful immediately after installation, but what impresses me most is:

👉 how it ages over time.

Rather than fading unevenly, the surface gradually develops:

👉 a deep golden glow

under sunlight.

This transformation is one of the greatest pleasures of natural igusa.

Honestly, as a craftsman, sometimes it looks so beautiful that it almost feels:

👉 “good enough to eat.”

That may sound strange, but craftsmen will understand this feeling.

Expensive — But Worth It

This is one of the highest-grade tatami omote materials available in Japan.

A standard replacement project using this material often exceeds:

👉 ¥30,000 per tatami mat

It is certainly not inexpensive.

However, once installed, the difference is unmistakable:

• depth of color
• gloss
• texture
• presence
• and overall atmosphere

are on another level entirely.

For customers seeking truly exceptional tatami, I can confidently recommend it.

Visiting Mr. Hayakawa in Kumamoto

During my training visit to Kumamoto, I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Hayakawa’s workshop.

The introduction came through:

👉 the father of Mr. Hirata,
a senior craftsman from Sawabe Tatami Shop in Kyoto

where I trained.

Although the visit was short because he was working at the time, I was able to speak with him directly.

You can immediately sense something different about people who dedicate their lives to creating truly exceptional materials.

Actual Installation Projects Using Hinosarasa

I have used Mr. Hayakawa’s tatami omote in actual projects including:

• Shinozaki, Edogawa City (Tokyo)

• Mikurajima Island (Izu Islands)

In both projects, customers were astonished by the finished appearance.

Some told me:

👉 “I have never seen tatami like this before.”
👉 “The room feels completely different.”
👉 “The tatami itself has a presence.”

What impressed me most was how the surface reflected natural light.

On Mikurajima Island, sunlight coming from the ocean illuminated the tatami, creating:

👉 an almost golden glow

across the room.

It is still one of the most memorable tatami installations I have ever completed.

Tatami Beauty Begins With the Farmer

People often focus only on the tatami craftsman.

But in reality:

👉 the beauty of tatami begins with the igusa farmer.

No matter how skilled the installation is, the quality of the material itself matters enormously.

This is why I deeply value knowing:

👉 who grew the igusa.

Final Thoughts

Farmers like Mr. Hayakawa dedicate their lives to growing exceptional igusa.

Because of craftsmen like him, tatami craftsmen like myself can create truly beautiful spaces.

At Higuchi Tatami Shop, we specialize in:

• premium natural igusa
• custom tatami
• edgeless tatami
• handcrafted installations
• and high-end Japanese interiors

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

👉 Contact Higuchi Tatami Shop
👉 View More Premium Tatami Projects