Kagami and Japan

Japanese culture: Tatami are sometimes used as tables outside Japan, and that use is not bad to convey the attractiveness of Japan-made mat rushes, said Kagami, 44, according to Asahi Shimbun. I want to create products that embody the harmonious fusion of Western and Japanese cultures--such as the 'anpan' bean-jam bun--to promote tatami culture." Kagami is taking part in a project among Japanese craftsmen and others working to open a base in France to restore traditional crafts and promote Japanese culture in Europe. Kagami, whose shop is located in Sagae, Yamagata Prefecture, said there were 8,580 mat rush farmers in 1989, but the number has dropped to 550 today. Seiichi Kondo, 69, a former commissioner of the Cultural Affairs Agency, plans to open Takumi Village--a facility to repair traditional Japanese crafts owned by museums and elsewhere in Europe--in the Alsace region in northeastern France. Kondo recently established the administrative body of Takumi Village with the help of traditional craftsmen. Under the plan, the new facility will promote Japanese craftsmen techniques and craftworks. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.