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Story

The Birth of IGUSABI

Kyoto Sakae Tatami is a tatami shop based in Kyoto, Japan.
As the owner, he has been dedicated to reviving tatami, a cherished tradition of Japanese culture, and promoting the production of pesticide-free tatami mats.
Through his work in Kyoto, he came to recognize the serious challenges faced by the farmers who cultivate igusa—the natural material used to make tatami.
With this awareness, we began our efforts to promote domestically produced, pesticide-free tatami and to explore new possibilities for using pesticide-free igusa.
Our mission is to share these initiatives with the world, starting from Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Through encounters with igusa farmers and connections with like-minded partners who share our vision,
IGUSABI was born.

Issue

Challenges Faced by Igusa Farmers

Igusa, the natural material used in tatami mats, undergoes a process called “mud dyeing” after harvest to enhance its color and smoothness.
However, this mud contains high levels of colorants and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which release harmful substances into the living space.
Moreover, workers at mud-dyeing factories inhale this dust every day, leading to health issues such as asthma and lung cancer.
Additionally, many imported tatami mats contain pesticides and insect repellents,
and the volatile chemicals released from these products have been linked to health problems such as sick house syndrome.
Anti-mite sheets, which are often required in certain homes, also contain high levels of insecticides.
While efforts are being made to cultivate pesticide-free igusa,
achieving this is not easy, as the mud dyeing process is currently essential for weaving tatami surfaces.
In Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, some farmers are pursuing pesticide-free cultivation,
but challenges remain in fully eliminating chemical use and in passing down the necessary techniques to future generations.

Brand Element

Challenges Faced by Igusa Farmers

Member

CEO

Koki Minamiyama

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Representative Director, Arka Kouki Corporation / Born in 1993, Kyoto native and resident
With a lifelong passion for human happiness and well-being, he began practicing brain development and meditation at the age of 10, and has continued for over 20 years.
As an expert in coaching, he has delivered numerous lectures and seminars, advocating the importance of relaxation and rest.
He also provides training and coaching for executives of listed companies and professional athletes, and has recently been dedicated to raising awareness of sero-katsu—activities that promote the production of serotonin.
Currently, alongside collaborative research on coaching and pedagogy with a university, he founded IGUSABI, inspired by an interest in the benefits and heritage of igusa, the raw material for tatami mats used in his family’s business.
Through IGUSABI, he works to share the health benefits of igusa and the scientific foundations of its importance in Japanese culture.

Producer

Shota Dan

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Representative Director, Tou Co., Ltd. / Born in 1994 in Osaka, currently residing in Kyoto
He studied abroad in the United States during his university years.
After graduation, he worked as a freelancer before becoming the general manager of a production company, where he oversaw numerous video projects from casting to delivery, including a music video for the community revitalization of Tottori City.
After establishing his own business, he began working as an ethical producer, supporting ethical companies and coordinating with various countries for Expo 2025 in Osaka.
Inspired by his encounter with Minamiyama, he became deeply aware of the challenges posed by the declining number of igusa farmers and joined IGUSABI.
He mainly handles project management and the development of international sales channels.

Ethical Cordinator

Ayaka Kume

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After graduating from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University with a degree in International Business Administration, he joined the Corporate Planning Department of an environmental venture company, where he helped launch a new plastic recycling business.
Currently working as a freelancer, he supports business development in the fields of circular economy and sustainability, engaging in a wide range of activities including environmental media planning, program production, and modeling for ethical brands.
She is responsible for managing SNS content for IGUSABI.

Be one of us.

Would you like to join us in creating new products?

IGUSABI is currently seeking collaborative partners for product development.
If you share our vision and have even a small interest, we warmly invite you to get in touch with us.

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