Hanagoza matting laid on the bank. They are cut to certain lengths to make several products after this drying process. (in Kurashiki-shi, Okayama Prefecture)
Kotaro Yamada
On a sunny day during the rainy season in Japan, the bank of the Takahashi River in Kurashiki-shi, Okayama Prefecture, is covered by flowers, not the real ones but the ones woven into a local specialty called hanagoza, which literally means flower matting.
Hanagoza is an igusa (rush straw) matting with a colored floral design in it. By drying the material completely in the morning sun for several hours, one can prevent generation of mold. This process takes place on sunny days during the rainy season to get hanagoza products in stores in time for summer, as they are most popular in the hot months.
Okayama used to be richly cultivated with Igusa and Nishiachi-cho in Kurashiki-shi was one of the leading producers of the Hanagoza matting in Japan. Back then, the sunny side of the bank was covered with nothing but the flowery mats in every direction, but the industry declined due to an increase in imports and a slowdown in demands. Currently, six producers uphold the tradition, producing even new products such as place mats and coasters in addition to traditional rugs using domestically-grown igusa.
“Drying in the sun is the most effective way. It has been traditionally so and still remains the same. We keep on producing igusa products this way, hoping that more people will use and reappreciate them on a daily basis,” said Masayuki Imayoshi, 57, one of the producers.
There are various patterns of Hanagoza in there
Various vivid-colored bundles of rush straw (igusa) are the material of Hanagoza
Weaving machine of Hanagoza in his 50’s. Weavers take good care of their old mate
(July 6, 2014)