“My dream for the future is to inherit the tatami business.” This is what Ryuji Koyanagi, the fifth-generation successor of Koyanagi Tatami Shop, had written in his kindergarten essays. Since his home stood right next to the tatami workshop, he grew up helping his father and grandfather on a daily basis, playfully getting involved in tatami-making as if it were a game. After graduating high school, he attended a tatami school while also working for three years at a tatami shop affiliated with the school. From the age of 21, after graduation, he has been supporting the family business alongside his father, the fourth-generation head.

Ryuji’s words reflect both deep respect for his father and his own vision for the future of tatami. “Although I feel that fewer people are using tatami these days, tatami is still the best flooring material suited to Japan’s climate. That’s why I want to share the culture of tatami even more,” he says passionately.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, Koyanagi Tatami Shop continues to produce high-quality tatami mats for residences with proven craftsmanship. At the same time, they also create products beyond traditional tatami concepts—such as tatami chairs and smartphone cases—to showcase tatami’s appeal.

Tatami is made using a combination of specialized machines and handwork, with about 20 mats completed per day. The rush grass used comes from both Japan and China, with 90% of the domestic supply grown in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Domestic rush grass is notable for its gentle, soothing fragrance similar to vanilla, created by a relaxing compound called vanillin. Its uniform color and thickness, along with tightly packed fibers, make it durable and uniquely appealing. Depending on the customer’s requests and intended use, they select between high-quality domestic grass and the more affordable Chinese alternative.

Tatami for homes is custom-made to fit each room’s layout. When a pillar stands in one corner, the mat is carefully hand-shaped to fit around it. Sewing the thick tatami edges by hand requires significant strength, leaving the craftsman drenched in sweat. “The most important thing in tatami-making is the sizing,” says Ryuji. “You have to measure the dimensions of the room precisely so that the tatami fits perfectly into the frame with no gaps. It took me about three years to master that sense.”
He says that seeing a finished mat fit neatly into a room is one of the most rewarding moments—both for him and for the customers who delight in the result.

In addition to residential tatami, Koyanagi Tatami Shop also creates products that allow people to bring tatami into their daily lives in new ways. One unique idea is the “Tatami Naming Certificate,” where names are engraved into tatami using a laser. The idea came from the burn marks left on tatami by incense sticks before a family altar.

They also created the tatami chair “Za-Agura,” designed so that sitting cross-legged doesn’t cause numbness. Using a similar method, they developed round stools, offering ways to incorporate tatami even into Western-style rooms. These new products, born from everyday hints, bring tatami into modern living spaces.
In addition to traditional rush grass, they also use washi paper tatami, which offers rich color variations, resists fading, and prevents mold growth. With these innovations and creative designs, they propose modern tatami that harmonizes with contemporary lifestyles.

“When I took over the family business, Japanese homes already had fewer tatami rooms, and I felt this was a serious problem.”
Feeling the crisis of declining tatami use, Ryuji is striving to share its appeal with younger generations. “Tatami culture may be fading, but its value can still be conveyed through how it is arranged in a space,” he says.
For example, he suggests adding a raised tatami platform in new homes or renovations, or advises, “If you use low furniture here, the room will look more spacious, and tatami will match well.” In this way, he communicates tatami’s significance through spatial design.

To reach younger generations who may not have tatami in their homes, he actively shares information on Instagram. “Surprisingly, even people in their 30s find tatami appealing. I’ve felt that more young people are starting to use tatami,” he says with confidence.

“I want tatami to spread more widely and be passed down to future generations. I’d like to share it in ways that differ from traditional usage, making tatami more familiar and part of everyday life. That way, the next successor won’t have to struggle as much.” He continues to pursue ways tatami can fit into modern lifestyles.