Tatami for modern daily life

inSTYLE (Formerly SOEJIMA) is a Japanese producer of products using IGUSA rush grass inspired by the simple beauty of Tatami mats.
The company is located in Fukuoka in the Kyushu region, which is Japan's main production area for rush grass. inSTYLE uses raw materials grown the traditional way to achieve the highest possible quality of its mats. Many products have been designed together with famous Japanese designers, allowing to combine the Japanese traditional feeling of Tatami mats with Western contemporary interior design. Enjoy the authenthic fragrance and touch of real Japanese tatami in your home!

IN-STYLE

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  • inSTYLE Tatami Shoe Insoles inSTYLE Tatami Shoe Insoles
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    IN-STYLE

    Tatami Shoe Insoles

    inSTYLE is a Japanese producer of products using IGUSA rush grass inspired by the simple beauty of Tatami mats. The company is located in Fukuoka in the Kyushu region, which is Japan's main...
    $15.14
  • inSTYLE Tatami Rug Mat IGUSA inSTYLE Tatami Rug Mat IGUSA
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    IN-STYLE

    Tatami Rug Mat IGUSA

    inSTYLE Tatami Rug Mat IGUSAMaintenance:To clean the rug you can carefully use a broom or vacuum cleaner; make sure to move it over the smooth direction! If liquid is spilled on it, please wipe it...
    $73.10 - $283.80
  • inSTYLE Tatami Seat Cushion IGUSA inSTYLE Tatami Seat Cushion IGUSA RED

    IN-STYLE

    Tatami Seat Cushion IGUSA

    inSTYLE Tatami Seat Cushion IGUSAMaintenance:To clean the rug you can carefully use a broom or vacuum cleaner; make sure to move it over the smooth direction! If liquid is spilled on it, please wipe...
    $28.38 - $31.82
  • inSTYLE Tatami Place Mat IGUSA Tatami Place Mat IGUSA
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    IN-STYLE

    Tatami Place Mat IGUSA

    inSTYLE Tatami Place Mat IGUSAMaintenance:To clean the rug you can carefully use a broom or vacuum cleaner; make sure to move it over the smooth direction! If liquid is spilled on it, please wipe it...
    $18.92
  • inSTYLE Tatami Door Mat IGUSA inSTYLE Tatami Door Mat IGUSA
Red

    IN-STYLE

    Tatami Door Mat IGUSA

    inSTYLE Tatami Door Mat IGUSAMaintenance:To clean the rug you can carefully use a broom or vacuum cleaner; make sure to move it over the smooth direction! If liquid is spilled on it, please wipe it...
    $33.11 - $46.44

InSTYLE is a Fukuoka based tatami specialist that grows its tatami in Kumamoto and crafts their designs in Fukuoka. Owner Naoki Ishibashi is the 3rd generation of the business. His grandmother was a "kakegawa"* tatami weaver holding a "Fukuoka Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property Technical License", and his father was a master craftsman and member of "Fukuoka Prefecture Modern" group.

*KAKEGAWA-ORI is a technique that allows to weave up to 50% more rush grass into the mats. 

The result is a tatami that lasts much longer and also ages beautifully. Instyle still uses this technique.  

 

Whereas tatami used to be an unmisable part of daily life and interior in Japan, the production complexity, decrease in capable craftsmen, the overal aging Japanese population, a lack of successors and troubles to source raw materials and the traditional machines needed to weave tatami, the tatami business is facing many big challenges. 

Mr. Ishibashi therefore tries to revitalize the industry by making tatami a new part of modern daily life, through new, beautiful designs and smart functions. Whereas traditionally tatami was mostly used as flooring in Japanese homes, Instyle creates door mats, placemats and seat cushions suitable for both traditional and modern, Western interiors. He explains that the addition of a natural element in your home or office (igusa grass) that you can touch and smell will have a healing power and brings peace to a busy life. 

Mr. Ishibashi explains that due to a lack of succesors for tatami farmers, may of which are now in their 60's, a a whopping 80% of igusa rush is imported. Being located in the main production area of igusa he ensures that rather than imported, mass-produced materials, they will continue to use locally produced- and carefully woven tatami that are woven and inspected one by one.

 

This procress is time-consuming work; from planting seedlings in paddy fields in winter, mow once during spring, and once again during summer to straighten the grass, and the materials are difficult to work with and heavy to handle.


After harvesting, the igusa produces its unique color and aroma and is "mud-dyed" to prevent discoloration.
Ishibashi is especially working hard to make the younger generations understand the beauty and benefits of tatami: They have antibacterial- and air-purifying qualities, and the materials grown in 8 months will last for many years, which do not only make them environmentally friendly, but also a more "healthy" option over plastic and other mass produced materials.