Bingo Tatami Omote (Straw)Hiroshima Prefecture Rush Industry Association

Rush used for Bingo Tatami Omote

“Bingo Tatami Omote” production in Hiroshima began in 1532 when straw weaving became a manufacturing industry by first harvesting rush from rice fields in Sanna-mura (now Numakuma-cho, Fukuyama-shi). In 1596, fabrication of nakatsugi omote using short rush was devised, which enabled mass production of tatami omote. Thereafter, it was designated as official tatami omote of the Imperial House and as gifts to the Bakufu Shogunate and has been protected and promoted as a high quality specialty of Bingo.

“Bingo Tatami Omote” the color of which has turned from green into amber (golden color)

Since tatami omote is woven by natural rush, it changes from a green to an amber color while it is used. The true value of ”Bingo Tatami Omote” is recognized after turning into amber (golden color) when the first green color has faded. It is high quality tatami omote that never changes to a red-black color and the stringing never comes out while in use. The amber color spreads evenly and becomes glossy.
Tatami omote using rush of Hiroshima was famous for the highest quality, but due to changes in lifestyle, demand has decreased. Now most “Bingo Tatami Omote” is made of rush from Kumamoto, and tatami omote manufacturers who have long experience and keenly select only the best rush similar to that of Hiroshima and supply “Bingo Tatami Omote” that never lets down the expectations quality by consumers.

●Blue-ribbon seal
Attachment of “blue-ribbon seals” specifying “the origin of rush, weaving place, processing place and product number” to each piece of tatami omote to thoroughly manage the quality of “Bingo Tatami Omote.”

●Certificate of “Bingo tatami omote” weaving rushes of Hiroshima
Apart from the inspection seal of “Hiroshima Prefecture Inspection Charter,” this is woven into tatami omote woven by ”rush of Hiroshima Prefecture” on which the name of the manufacturer is inscribed.