山下畳商店

About Us

About Us

Matching tatami to the times for more than 60 years.

Making the perfect tatami to match the ever-evolving Japanese lifestyle since 1953

History

Yamashita Tatami Shoten was founded in 1953 by the late Yutaka Yamashita, who, having finished his studies in tatami-making in Osaka, returned to his hometown of Kokubunji-cho, Ayauta District (now Kokubunji-cho, Takamatsu City) to start his own business. At that time, the tiny shop was located slightly to the west of the shop and factory's current location. Though he had a great deal of confidence in his abilities, the work was slow coming and the business initially seemed unlikely to flourish.

After getting married and being blessed with a son and daughter, the business began to grow, allowing him to hire additional employees. As the business expanded it outgrew its home, causing the the shop to change locations multiple times before settling at its current location, and then subsequently incorporating as an LLC in 1970.

In 1991, the torch was passed to the next generation when Mitsukazu Yamashita became president of the company. In addition to continuing the company's techniques for handmaking tatami, he brought new technology for machine-making tatami to the company, allowing it to meet the demand of bulk orders.
As a tatami craftsman, Mitsukazu has been honored to recieve multiple honors and awards for his work. Among others, he has recieved recognition in 2012 from the minister of health, labor, and welfare as a "Modern Artisan," and was awarded the yellow medal of honor by the emperor of Japan in 2015 as an exemplary craftsman.

As of 2011, the business has continued into the third generation as Akihiro Yamashita has sought to advance not only his own personal skills, but the skills of the company's workers as well. As of 2020, the company has a total of 6 craftsmen, four of whom hold the first rank of the National Tatami-Making Certification, and two of whom hold the second rank of the same. Though a small company, Akihiro has led it to be one staffed by elite craftsmen producing high-quality tatami with the utmost skill.

Additionally, the company won the "Fighting Spirit Prize" in the all-Japan Technique Grand Prix, a competition of top-level tatami craftsmen. This was the first time that a representative from Shikoku has placed in this competition.

We are working diligently every day to create high-quality tatami that will satisfy customers both in Japan and abroad.

Our Techniques

Every staff member is a top-level craftsman

Each staff member involved in the creation of tatami has achieved the highest rank available in Japan's National Tatami-Making Certification, making us one of Japan's foremost tatami companies. (Staff holding a first-rank certification: 6)

Tatami for each home and person

We believe that tatami will become part of each customer's lifestyle. The same drive that motivates our staff to achieve their tatami-making certification pushes them to see tatami-making as more than mere manufacturing. While crafting your tatami they consider how to best suit it to your individual lifestyle.

Preserving tradition and techniques for the next generation

We believe that it is our duty to pass on the traditional Japanese culture and craft of tatami to the next generation. To ensure the succession of knowledge, our young staff gets hands-on practice both in-house and outside, proactively taking jobs such as repairing various cultural assets.

Our Materials

To create tatami, there are 3 essential materials.

Tatami is created from 3 component parts: the facing, the core, and the border. We strive to ensure that our customers have freedom of choice in all three aspects of their order. Of course, we are happy to help you find the materials that suit your lifestyle best.

Carefully selected materials made in Japan

The majority of our materials are made in Japan. We carefully select their point of origin as well, sending staff members out to personally inspect potential materials with their own eyes to ensure the highest quality.

Meet Our Craftsmen

We want to support aspiring tatami-makers!

Yamashita Tatami Shoten is a leader in spreading the culture of tatami and passing on the techniques for its creation. As the number of traditional Japanese-style rooms decreases, so too does the number of tatami makers. Year after year we are losing the techniques and skills required to craft tatami.

At Yamashita Tatami Shoten, we are training craftsmen to become independent operators. After several years of on-the-job experience and training, they will achieve the skills they need to start their own tatami-making business. No matter your experience level, hometown, or nationality*, we are looking for trainees who are motivated to pass on tatami-making techniques and spread the culture of wa.
Contact us for more information.
*While everyone is welcome regardless of nationality, we are only able to accept Japanese-speaking applicants.