News Tatami makers to sell tatami as Muslim prayer mats

Photo credit: Shinichi Kawarada​

The figure has since declined, with only 9.26 million units produced or imported in 2021, as fewer homes are now furnished with quaint Japanese-style tatami rooms. Yusuke Hori, 37, an employee of tatami-exclusive trading house Kambe Co., gave thought to the limits in the domestic market. He considered expanding the mat's usage outside Japan but knew it would be difficult in countries with no tatami rooms. Casually watching TV one day provided Hori with a eureka moment: He saw many Muslims prostrating themselves for prayer, and he thought the tatami surface material could be used for their prayer rugs. Hori had neither visited nations with large Muslim populations nor had any expertise in Islam rituals and services. He created a prototype based simply on the designs of conventional rugs. Despite lacking confidence in his creation, Hori brought it to the Kyoto Halal Council, which supervises the introduction of prayer facilities for Muslims in Kyoto. Surprisingly, the tatami rug received a good response there.

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