Tatami yoga mats are made of igusa rush grass grown in Japan. They come in 15 different designs about nature and Japan. (In Oki Town, Fukuoka Prefecture)
FUKUOKA, May 24 -Colorful tatami-like yoga mats made of Japanese igusa soft rush grass are becoming popular worldwide. They have high moisture absorbency properties and odor eliminating effect. “Their good aroma makes it easier to do nasal breathing, which is an essential part of yoga,” and “their surface never gets sticky even when you are sweaty,” some said.
The product is called “Tatami Yoga.” It’s designed and commercialized by Ikehiko Corporation, an igusa product planner and producer based in Oki Town, Fukuoka Prefecture. The mats are made of igusa grown in Kumamoto and Fukuoka Prefectures. Igusa, dyed in red, blue, and all other beautiful colors, is woven in a traditional method called “mon-ori” to create traditional patterns like Mt. Fuji, flowers and trees like cherry blossoms, and geometric designs. Also, they have a soft non-slip backing.
The superior properties of igusa were combined with a healthy image of “wa (Japan)” to attract yoga practitioners overseas successfully. The company started to sell the product in 2017. Since then, it sold approximately 10,000 pieces in total in more than ten countries, including the U.S., Switzerland, and China. “Today, we spend a lot of time at home. We hope you enjoy the beautiful aroma of igusa from Japan and relax while you do your exercise at home,” said a product planner at the company.