[VILLAGE Report vol.5] Japan’s Tatami Begins Here | Kumamoto Prefecture

East from Nagasaki. In this village, there is something every Japanese person knows, yet few know where it is produced.

80% of domestically grown igusa comes from one city

Kumamoto Prefecture's igusa production volume ranks first in Japan. Furthermore, Yatsushiro City alone accounts for 80% of the planted area for domestically grown igusa.

That fragrance that rises when you sit on tatami. Most of the scent that so many Japanese people find calming is grown here.

And yet, when buying tatami, almost no one asks, "Is this from Yatsushiro?" Number one in Japan, yet its name is not known. It is a scene we will encounter again and again in this series.

Four kinds of handwork recognized by the nation

Kumamoto Prefecture has 4 in 7 categories.

Shodai ware, Amakusa ceramics, and Higo inlay were designated in March 2003 (Heisei 15), and Yamaga lanterns was designated in December 2013 (Heisei 25).

Higo inlay is a metalworking craft in which patterns are created by inlaying gold or silver into an iron base. It was originally a technique used to decorate gun barrels and sword guards. A technique for weapons transformed into a decorative craft in an age of peace.

Yamaga lanterns is even more unusual. Without using any metal fittings or wood at all, only Japanese paper and glue are used to build shrines and castles. The inside is hollow. When you pick one up, you are surprised by how weightless it feels.

Clay described as unrivaled under heaven

Amakusa pottery stone is both a raw material for Amakusa ceramics and porcelain, and is still shipped to kilns across Japan today.

In other words, some of the Arita and Hasami ware we have seen in earlier installments is made from Kumamoto earth. Beneath the name of a production area are supporters whose names are never shown.

A name for the supporters, too

Being number one in Japan, and supporting the raw materials. Neither will be communicated unless it is told.

We will take on the role of telling it.

Next issue, we head to Oita, the land with Japan's highest hot spring output.

References: Kumamoto Prefectural Government, "Designation of Kumamoto Prefecture Traditional Craft Products"; Kumamoto Prefecture official tourism site "Motto, Mo-tto! Kumamoto"

—The Value Village Editorial Team