Have you heard of tatami-beri, the decorative edge of tatami mats? Kojima , Kurashiki City , is the production center for 80% of the domestic market. In recent years, colorful designs have increased, and tatami-beri has become popular as a handmade material. We will introduce the appeal of Takada Orimono Co., Ltd.'s factory tour, mini tatami-making experience, and direct store.
2025.02.13-
Table of contents
- Takada Orimono Co., Ltd. has a remarkable 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 the factory tour and production experience
- Video introducing the tatami edge production process
- "FLAT" has a selection of over 1,300 items and outlet products available for purchase
- "Mini Tatami Making Kit" also on sale
- "SQUARE" exhibits works by handmade artists
- summary
Takada Orimono Co., Ltd. has a remarkable track record of receiving orders from well-known companies
Takada Orimono Co., Ltd., based in Kojima, the "Kojima of textiles," boasts the largest variety and market share of tatami borders in Japan. The company began textile manufacturing around 1890 (Meiji period) and began manufacturing tatami borders in 1950. In addition to manufacturing and selling tatami borders, the company now 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 standard applications, they also produce custom-made tatami mat borders, and have collaborated with local governments and famous companies to produce card holders, coin cases, small item holders, and more. 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. The tour begins with a tour of the warping factory. Here, purchased yarn is rewound onto a beam so that it can be woven on a loom. There is a Toyotomi selection of base black yarn and colorful yarns for expressing colors and patterns.
Next we visited Factory 1, where the tatami borders are actually woven. 50 looms are lined up in an orderly fashion inside the factory, with the sounds of the machinery 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 the 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 simultaneously 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 associate Kojima with jeans. This is a tatami mat border made from Denim, woven at a pace of about 50cm per minute.
There are a total of about 100 looms in operation in the factory, and each machine has its own unique characteristics. It is impressive to see the craftsmen performing delicate work, not 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 unique feature is that the pattern paper is now electronic. This allows for more complex patterns to be produced, and the weaving speed is 1.5 times faster than normal. In addition, a machine dedicated to single colors is used to produce tatami borders in subdued colors using cotton. These are mainly used in intangible cultural property buildings and inns.
The last place we visited was the glazing factory. Cotton thread is prone to breaking, so it is processed to give it strength and luster.
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 been passed down 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 a mini tatami mat. First, choose your favorite tatami border from about 80 different designs. I chose the airplane pattern designed by a handmade artist. With Toyotomi options to choose from, you're sure to find a pattern you like.
Apparently, Japanese-style patterns are especially popular with visitors from overseas. They are delighted when they are told that the Maneki-neko cat is said to bring good luck in business, and the Daruma doll is a lucky charm that protects against illness and misfortune.
To make a mini tatami mat, you crease the edge of the tatami mat, secure it with a craft pick, and then fasten the edge to the board with small nails. Thanks to the careful guidance of the staff, even I, who am not very good at craftsmanship, was able to complete the process successfully.
Details of the factory tour and production experience
I am very happy to have completed my one-of-a-kind mini tatami mat. It can be used as a display stand for a vase or interior décor, or as a corkboard to hang photos and postcards on. It will become a memento of my trip, and it was the perfect experience to take home as a souvenir.
As with the factory tour, the mini tatami making experience requires a group of 10 or more people to apply, but if you're visiting Kurashiki or Kojima on a trip with friends or family, or a club training camp, 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 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
Video introducing the tatami edge production process
"FLAT" has a selection of over 1,300 items and outlet products available for purchase
Anyone can drop by the factory-run tatami edging factory shop "FLAT." There is also a store in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, but the appeal is the Toyotomi 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.
"Iwai Chrysanthemum" is a particularly popular product. When used as a material for handmade items, it makes a lovely accent. Many people also choose reversible tatami edging, which does not require a lining. Depending on the item you want to make, you should check the softness, hardness, and texture of the tatami edging, and also consider ease of processing.
These card holders, featuring designs of Okayama's most famous landmarks, are perfect as souvenirs. They can also be used as coin purses, and come in 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 tatami-making experience, we also sell a mini tatami-making kit (2,640 yen/tax included).
FLAT distributes handmade recipes for free, and also offers a handmade recipe book for tatami edging for those who want to know more. They also sell kits that include all the materials needed to make things like mini ties and Marché bags.
[FLAT Kojima Main Store]
Address: 2-2-53 Kojima Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture (within the Takada Textile 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 Oku of FLAT exhibits the works of handmade artists. Also on display are custom-made tatami borders that Takada Orimono has produced in collaboration with local governments and companies, and you can see designs such as the "Nagano Olympics" and "Blue Impulse." It's an exhibition room that's fun to look at as well as to discover.
summary
Many visitors come from Europe, the United States, and Asia who want to learn more about Japanese culture, and together with domestic visitors, about 2,000 people visit Takada Textiles annually. What was particularly impressive when observing the tatami border manufacturing process was the sheer number of craftsmanship required. Designs are created, threads are selected, and the individual characteristics of each of the 96 machines are understood. This involves delicate work such as adjusting the temperature and humidity according to the weather and season, and I was able to witness firsthand 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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