Weaving with Kunisaki Shichitōi Grass

Immerse yourself in the agricultural heritage of the Kunisaki Peninsula-Usa region of Oita Prefecture with this special hands-on workshop. Led by local experts, guests learn how to weave with shichitōi, a type of grass used to make tatami mats which is today cultivated exclusively in this region.

Introduced to the Kunisaki Peninsula 350 years ago, shichitōi has been used as a material for weaving tatami mats for centuries. Once on the verge of extinction, recent efforts by local farmers and craftspeople have sparked a revival and Kunisaki shichitōi now enjoys renewed appreciation. Renowned for its durability and pleasant aroma, shichitōi tatami mats are several times more resilient than their more common igusa rush counterparts. They are a preferred choice for martial arts studios and were notably used for the mats at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games judo competition.

In this workshop, shichitōi farmer Hayashi Hiroaki, chair of the Shichitoi Promotion Association, introduces the special properties of shichitōi. He is joined by artist, Iwakiri Chika, who demonstrates the intricate techniques used in weaving and crafting with the material. Participants can witness the creation of a zōri sandal, before learning how to weave their own shimenawa, a twisted and braided rope typically made from straw or hemp which can often be seen at Shinto shrines, marking sacred spaces, or in Japanese homes at New Year.

A separate talk and demonstration event exploring the wider agriculture heritage of the Kunisaki Peninsula-Usa region is held on the evening of 25 July. Learn more about this event and book a place here.

This event is held as part of the Spotlight on Local Japan Programme which accepts applications from potential collaborators based in Japan to co-create cultural events presenting Japan’s regional diversity at Japan House London.

About the Speakers

Hayashi Hiroaki

Chairman of the Kunisaki Peninsula-Usa GIAHS Promotion Association

Hayashi Hiroaki was born in Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture, into a family of rice and shiitake farmers. He graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Tokyo and served as an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences from 1995 to 2003. In 2004, he returned to Kunisaki and began to cultivate shiitake mushrooms, rice, and shichitōi. Since the Kunisaki Peninsula-Usa region's designation as a GIAHS site in 2013, he has led conservation and promotion activities as the chairman of the Kunisaki Peninsula-Usa GIAHS Promotion Association. Since 2010, he has also served as the president of the Kunisaki Shichitōi Promotion Association, during which time Kunisaki shichitōi achieved protected geographical indication (GI) status.

Iwakiri Chika

Shichitōi craftsperson and artist

Iwakiri Chika is an artist and craftsperson specializing in weaving with Kunisaki shichitōi. In 2014, she founded the Shichitōi Studio Nanatsumugi in Kunisaki city, where she creates and sells various items and accessories for daily life using the material. Recently, she has also begun cultivating shichitōi herself. Iwakiri actively promotes her craft through workshops across Japan, including on the luxury JR Kyushu sleeper train, Nanatsuboshi in Kyushu. Her shichitōi light fixtures, inspired by firefly baskets, adorn the rooms of Kai Yufuin, a ryokan inn by Hoshino Resorts designed by architect Kuma Kengo.

Tickets for the event are non-refundable. Please read our before purchasing your ticket.

Participants must be over 12 years old and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note that filming and photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please email or contact a member of the team on site.

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