Igusa Floor Mat

This floor mat is handmade of igusa (rush grass), a material which historically has been used for making tatami mats. Woven using igusa grown in Kyūshū – Japan’s southernmost main island – this floor mat is highly moisture absorbent, and has a relaxing, fresh fragrance. Treated with essential oils extracted from Aomori hiba wood – a species of cypress native to Japan – the mat has enhanced antibacterial and deodorising properties. By avoiding the standard mud-dyeing process employed to dry regular igusa, the rushes used in this floor mat retain smooth, dirt-resistant and chemical-free surfaces. The underside of the mat is made with recycled non-woven fabrics to prevent it from slipping, while the edges are made using linen.

Size: L120 cm x W30 cm

Kansai

The Kansai region includes the second-most populated metropolitan area in Japan with its largest city Osaka. Kyoto and Nara, two of Japan’s former capital cities, are home to important temples and shrines and strongholds of intangible cultural heritage, such as the Kyoto textile weaving skills of Nishijin.