The planting of igsa, which is a raw material for tatami mats, a specialty of the Bingo region of Hiroshima Prefecture, has begun in Fukuyama City.
Tatami facings made from rushes from the Bingo region, such as Fukuyama City, are called "Bingo Omote" and are characterized by their luster.
On the 28th, the planting of igsa started in about 20 ares of paddy field in Hongo-cho, Fukuyama City, and producers were planting igsa seedlings cut to about 20 centimeters in length using specialized agricultural machinery. .
There are currently only a few igsa producers in the prefecture due to the declining demand for tatami mats for residential use.
Mr. Tatsuya Sano, the producer, said, "I want to raise the quality of the rush to live up to the name of Bingo Omote, which is considered to be a luxury item."
The igsa is scheduled to be harvested around early July next year, and Mr. Sano's paddy field is expected to harvest a total of about 1,000 tatami mats.