Why did you choose to specialize in tatami?
I deliberated about what I could do with my hands and how I could share Japanese culture with those who are unfamiliar with it. When I think about Japanese cultural practices, like tea ceremony and ikebana, tatami is always an important element.
In what way is your craft linked to your region?
Tatami is essential to Japanese traditional spaces, it is even used as a unit of measurement in architecture. Traditionally, Japanese people prefer to sit on the floor. Tatami provides environmental benefits too: it is hypoallergenic, absorbs carbon monoxide and manages humidity in the home.
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What are your sources of inspiration?
The spirit of those with whom I collaborate, whether it be designers or clients designing or renovating their own space; every person has a different desire to include tatami and they use it differently.
What are some recent collaborations you've worked on?
Currently, I’m working with a pair of designers in the United States. Also a Dutch designer on alternative flooring and hanging pieces. Since 2012, I’ve been collaborating with European designers and architects on interior design and furniture projects. With each major project I undertake, I develop new patterns and colour options so that the tatami will be entirely customised to the space.