Hazy Mount Iwate and the 'Breathing' of Tatami
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Monday, March 30, 2026.
6:20 AM this morning. The air in Morioka seems to carry a hint of spring moisture.
I looked up toward Mount Iwate, but my goodness, it is terribly hazy this morning.
It is a blurry sight, as if the 'resolution is low' or I am looking at an out-of-focus photograph.
On my way to the office, I crossed the usual 'Mitsuya Bridge'.
That inorganic, rugged structure with exposed concrete. Every time I cross it, I find myself muttering, 'How cool.'
I am just an old man who is drawn to that kind of unadorned 'presence'.
The 'strength' of concrete & the 'delicacy' of tatami
However, while gazing at such a sturdy bridge, I entered the office for another week.
The 'tatami' we deal with every day is a truly dynamic, living material.
It absorbs moisture when it is humid and releases it when it is dry.
It may not have the unyielding strength of concrete, but in return, it possesses a gentleness that aligns with the breathing of those who live there.
Recently, more households have been spending time with carpets or rugs laid over their tatami. I fully understand the desire to change the atmosphere of a room.
However, as a tatami shop owner, I cannot help but feel a meddlesome concern in some corner of my heart, wondering, 'Is the tatami suffering?'
A carpet over tatami might actually be like wearing a raincoat
Laying a carpet tightly directly over tatami is, to use an analogy, like wearing a raincoat all day on a hot and humid day.
Although it cannot be seen from the outside, underneath the rug, moisture loses its escape route and begins to accumulate damply.
That becomes the cause of mold and eventually invites mites. It is truly regrettable for a place meant for relaxation to end up like that.
If you ask me, 'So, what should I do?', I always answer like this.
'Please put a layer of underlay underneath to help it breathe,' yes.
Comfortable just by laying it down! What is this highly effective insect-repellent and moisture-proof sheet?
Simple and easy to obtain, what I often recommend to customers is this type of paper-based, breathable 'insect-repellent and moisture-proof sheet'.
[Advertisement] I use Amazon Associates.
It doesn't have to be this specific one, but just by placing one sheet of this type between the tatami and the carpet, the lifespan of the tatami will be greatly extended, and the air in the room will feel somewhat fresher.
Once, when I laid this sheet at a customer's place who was troubled by mold, they were happy to tell me a few months later that 'it feels like the mold has decreased'.
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Of course, laying down a sheet does not solve everything.
Occasionally, lift the edge of the carpet to let the air through. Such 'little care' for the house is the best medicine.
Just as the Mitsuya Bridge remains beautiful there forever, your Japanese-style rooms can also become places you can love for a long time by just tidying up the invisible parts a little.
If you find yourself wondering, 'Is my tatami okay?', please feel free to reach out to your local tatami shop.
If you are in the Morioka area, our staff is always happy to listen, so please feel free to consult with us via LINE.
By the way, for your reference, we offer optional moisture-proofing and deodorizing sheets at our shop.
Now, I will get to work.
May your day today be bright and pleasant.
Have a wonderful day 🌸
Maeda Tatami Shop, Second-Generation Owner, Masatoshi Maeda
・Second-generation owner of Maeda Tatami Shop, which has been loved by the local community in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture for over 60 years
・Representative of 'Washiya', a shop selling fusuma paper and providing replacement services for tatami, fusuma, shoji, wallpaper, and screen doors
・A fusuma-focused YouTuber with 10,000 subscribers
・Holds qualifications as a Tatami Craftsman, Tatami Instructor, and Wall Covering Craftsman
・A 53-year-old who believes that 'sincerity toward customers' is the foundation of his work and will continue to cherish that conviction.
[Introduction to Maeda Tatami Shop]
60 years of trust and achievement in Morioka!
For tatami, fusuma, shoji, wallpaper, and screen door replacement and renovation,
we have certified First-Class Tatami Craftsmen, Tatami Training Instructors, and First and Second-Class Wall Covering Craftsmen at
Maeda Tatami Shop / Interior Maeda
[Contact Information]
9-16 Tenshoji-machi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
019-647-3555
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Saturdays until around 3:00 PM)
Closed: Sundays
m.masa.tatami@gmail.com
For urgent matters, please contact us via email or LINE
★Registering as a LINE friend is convenient and offers great deals for work consultations and requests!
5% OFF for first-time customers↓↓ Maeda Tatami Shop 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/
・Stand.fm (updated almost daily)
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. ↓
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