Do you know about "tatami-beri" that decorates the sides of tatami mats? Kojima , Kurashiki City , is the production area of tatami mats, accounting for about 80% of the domestic market share. In recent years, colorful designs have increased, and they are also popular as handmade materials. We will introduce the factory tour and mini tatami mat making experience at Takada Orimono Co., Ltd., as well as the charm of the direct sales shop.
2025.02.13-
Table of Contents
- Takada Orimono Co., Ltd. stands out for its track record of receiving orders from well-known companies
- Factory tours attract 2,000 visitors per year
- Make your own one-of-a-kind mini tatami mat
- Details of factory tour and production experience
- A video introducing the tatami edge production process
- "FLAT" has a selection of over 1,300 items and outlet products
- "Mini tatami making kit" also on sale
- "SQUARE" exhibits works by handmade artists
- summary
Takada Orimono Co., Ltd. stands out for its track record of receiving orders from well-known companies
Takada Orimono Co., Ltd., based in Kojima, the "textile Kojima," boasts the largest variety and market share of tatami borders in Japan. The company began textile manufacturing around 1890 (Meiji era), and began manufacturing tatami borders in 1950. Currently, in addition to manufacturing and selling tatami borders, the company also offers factory tours and mini tatami mat making experiences for groups of 10 or more people.
Takada Orimono's track record is impressive. In addition to normal uses, they also make custom-made tatami borders, and collaborate with local governments and famous companies to produce card holders, coin cases, and accessory cases. They also receive requests from top brands.
Factory tours attract 2,000 visitors per year
As many as 2,000 people visit the factory every year. On the tour, you will first be guided to the warping factory. Here, the purchased yarn is rewound onto a beam so that it can be woven on a loom. There is a wide selection of base black yarn and colorful yarns for expressing colors and patterns.
Next we visited Factory No. 1, where the tatami borders are actually woven. Inside the factory, 50 looms are lined up in an orderly fashion, with the sounds of the machines echoing outside the doors. Some of the machines have been in use for about 40 years, and when they break down they are repaired and continue to be used with care.
The paper attached to the top of the machine is called "monshi" and is used to create patterns. It has countless small holes and acts like a blueprint for the tatami border. A huge number of monshi are stored in the factory, and it seems that wooden ones were used in the past.
By setting the pattern paper, up to six pieces of the same design can be woven at the same time on one machine. By changing the thread for each row, it is possible to produce designs with different colors. Colors and patterns are expressed using the warp threads.
Many people may associate Kojima with jeans. This is a tatami mat border made of Denim fabric, woven at a rate of about 50cm per minute.
There are about 100 looms in operation in the factory, each with its own unique characteristics. It is impressive to see the craftsmen performing delicate work without overlooking these minute differences. The photo shows the process of joining the threads together.
Moving on to the second factory, there are also about 50 looms installed here. The latest machines have been introduced, and the pattern paper is electronic. It can handle more complex patterns and weave at 1.5 times the normal speed. In addition, a machine dedicated to single colors is used to produce tatami borders in calm colors using cotton. These are mainly used in intangible cultural property buildings and inns.
The last place we visited was the polishing factory. Cotton thread is prone to breaking, so it is processed to give it strength and shine.
The photo shows the process of applying glue to the threads. As humidity and temperature change depending on the weather and season, the concentration of the glue is carefully adjusted. Cotton tatami borders are produced in this way, from the thread stage, with great care and time. The factory tour lasted about 40 minutes, but I was able to get a firsthand feel for how the techniques and traditions that have continued for over 70 years have been passed down. The factory tour was a truly fascinating experience.
Make your own one-of-a-kind mini tatami mat
At Takada Orimono, you can also experience making mini tatami mats. First, choose your favorite tatami border from about 80 different designs. I chose the airplane pattern designed by a handmade artist. I'm sure you'll find your favorite pattern among the wide variety.
Apparently Japanese designs are especially popular with visitors from overseas. They are delighted when they are told that the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) brings good luck in business and the daruma (daruma doll) is a lucky charm that protects against illness and misfortune.
To make a mini tatami mat, crease the edge of the tatami mat, fix it with a craft pick, and fasten the edge of the tatami mat to the board with small nails. The staff gave me careful guidance, so even I, who am not good with hands, was able to complete it successfully.
Details of factory tour and production experience
I am very satisfied with the completion of my one-of-a-kind mini tatami mat. It can be used as a vase or a decorative stand for interior items, or you can decorate it like a cork board by sticking photos and postcards on it. It was a great experience to make a souvenir for yourself, as well as a memento of your trip.
As with the factory tour, the mini tatami making experience requires a group of 10 or more people to apply, but if you are traveling with friends or family, or going on a club training camp trip to Kurashiki or Kojima, why not consider it? It seems to be a popular choice for domestic and international tours and field trips.
[Factory tour and production experience details]
Course 1: Factory tour only (approximately 40 minutes)
Course 2: Factory tour + mini tatami making experience (approximately 90 minutes)
Course 3: Mini tatami making experience only (approximately 50 minutes)
*The mini tatami mat making experience costs 990 yen (tax included).
*Participants must be elementary school age or older.
*For group applications from Japan, please contact us by phone, and for group applications from overseas, please contact us by email.
[Takada Orimono Co., Ltd.] *Application for factory tour and production experience
Address: 2-2-53 Kojima Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-477-7162
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Sundays and public holidays (irregular Saturdays)
Email address: info@ohmiyaberi.co.jp
A video introducing the tatami edge production process
"FLAT" has a selection of over 1,300 items and outlet products
Anyone can drop by the factory-run tatami border factory shop "FLAT". There is also a store in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, but the appeal is the wide range of products that can only be found at a factory-run store. In addition to standard patterns, you can also purchase outlet products that are only available while supplies last.
The "Iwai Chrysanthemum" is a particularly popular item. When used as a material for handmade items, it makes a lovely accent piece. In addition, reversible tatami borders that do not require a lining are also chosen by many people. Depending on the item you want to make, you should check the softness, hardness, and texture of the tatami border, and also consider the ease of processing.
The card holders, which feature designs of famous places representing Okayama, are perfect as souvenirs for your trip. They can also be used as coin purses, and come with designs featuring the family crests of famous warlords. Deciding which one to choose is part of the fun.
"Mini tatami making kit" also on sale
For those who are unable to participate in the experience, we also sell mini tatami-making kits (2,640 yen/tax included).
"FLAT" distributes handmade recipes for free, and also offers a handmade recipe book for tatami borders for those who want to know more. In addition, they also sell kits that include all the materials needed to make things like mini ties and market bags.
[FLAT Kojima Main Branch]
Location: 2-2-53 Kojima , Kurashiki City (within the Takada Orimono Co., Ltd. premises)
TEL: 086-477-6777
Business hours: 10:00-15:00
Closed: Sundays and public holidays (irregular Saturdays)
Parking: Available
"SQUARE" exhibits works by handmade artists
The wooden building "SQUARE" at the back of FLAT exhibits the works of handmade artists. In addition, custom-made tatami borders that Takada Orimono has produced in collaboration with local governments and companies are also on display, and designs such as "Nagano Olympics" and "Blue Impulse" can be seen. It is an exhibition room that is fun to look at as well as fun to discover.
summary
Many visitors come from Europe, America and Asia to learn more about Japanese culture, and together with domestic visitors, about 2,000 people visit Takada Textiles annually. What was particularly impressive when I observed the tatami border manufacturing process was the many craftsmanship involved. They create designs, select threads, and understand the individual characteristics of each of the 96 machines. There is also the delicate task of adjusting temperature and humidity according to the weather and season, and I was able to witness the long history and tradition of Takada Textiles.
It is about a 30-minute drive from Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and about a 15-minute drive from Kojima Jeans Street, so please stop by if you are in the area.
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