Surprised by height, getting wet in the light rain. A tatami maker's monologue...
Friday, February 27, 2026, around 6:30 AM
Morioka this morning is drizzling with light rain.
It is a morning where I looked up at a bronze statue and was surprised by how much it had grown in height.
Should I commute by bicycle? It is that kind of fine rain that makes you hesitate.
Under the overpass from Morioka Station toward Kitadori, there is a bronze statue titled 'Youth.' Seeing it, I suddenly remembered my nephew.
Morioka in the light rain and the back view of the youth
That nephew of mine used to be a restless, small child back in the day.
Now, when he comes to visit, he is so composed and steady.
They say he is already 183 centimeters tall.
Before I knew it, he had surpassed me by more than 10 centimeters.
He will probably grow a bit more before he is fully grown.
In the rain, with a feeling like I was looking up at his back, I thought, somehow, I envy him.
Thinking about such things vaguely, I headed toward the shop.
What a tatami maker can do at life's milestones
Time really does fly by.
It will be March soon. The city of Morioka is also becoming busy with preparations for moving and new lives.
During this time of year, we tatami makers often receive inquiries regarding moving out of rental properties.
When you hear the term 'restoration to original condition,' it makes you feel a bit defensive, doesn't it?
Frayed tatami, accidental tears in sliding doors, stains on paper screens.
Just when you are about to head to a new place, the reality of this 'expense' slowly creeps up on you,
and that, for anyone, is tough.
I want to lighten the anxiety about money, even if just a little.
As a craftsman for 30 years, I have seen the moment of departure from many different rooms.
You don't always have to replace everything with new items; sometimes just replacing the surface cover is enough to tidy things up, and I believe that prioritizing what to fix is the best approach.
However, moving costs money in one way or another.
That is something I am also well aware of.
That is why, at our shop, we sometimes casually suggest paying with PayPay, hoping to be of even a little help to our customers.
March PayPay and a craftsman's modest meddling
When you are low on cash, having options for how to pay might at least make you feel a bit more at ease.
That is what I thought.
Apparently, there is also a "scratch lottery" event being held in March.
Whether you win or lose depends on luck, but if you have to pay anyway, having a little bit of fun might help distract you from the fatigue of moving.
I am not very good at pushing things for the sake of business, but I hope this can be a help to those who are struggling with payments.
I have written a separate blog post about the specific costs and details of the campaign.
If you are interested, please take a look.
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Like that young man in the bronze statue, or like my nephew.
Young people are taking flight from this Morioka.
It is a bit sad to think that their new beginning might be clouded by financial anxiety.
All I can do as a simple craftsman is to re-cover the tatami with care.
And perhaps lend a little bit of wisdom.
I hope that everyone's new life will be peaceful and full of light.
I hope this morning's rain brings spring along with it.
Have a wonderful day.
Maeda Tatami Store, 2nd Generation
Masatoshi Maeda
[Introduction to Maeda Tatami Store]
60 years of trust and achievement in Morioka!
For tatami, fusuma, shoji, wallpaper, and screen door replacement and renovation,
we have 1st-grade Tatami Production Craftsmen, Tatami Training Instructors, and 1st and 2nd-grade Wall Covering Craftsmen on staff.
Maeda Tatami Store / Interior Maeda
[Contact Information]
9-16 Tenshoji-machi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
019-647-3555
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Until around 3:00 PM on Saturdays)
Closed: Sundays
For urgent inquiries, please use email or LINE.
★Registering as a LINE friend is advantageous and convenient for work consultations and requests!
First-time 5% OFF↓↓ Maeda Tatami Store Official LINE
Please press 'Open in App' from your smartphone.
Website http://www.eins.rnac.ne.jp/~maeda-t
▼Click here for the renovation price list
・Livedoor Blog
https://www.tota100.com
・note Blog
https://note.com/tota100
・Blogger Blog
https://tatami777.blogspot.com/
・Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/totalinterior_m/
・Updated almost daily on Stand.fm
https://stand.fm/channels/5ff42a521f63b1cf68803d8e
★Click here if you are considering wallpaper replacement
https://o6b1m.hp.peraichi.com
★Click here if you are considering fusuma/shoji replacement
https://6k6k5.hp.peraichi.com
★Click here if you are considering tatami replacement
I also have a magazine on note. ↓
▼Read also