I really like these I read, a story on tatami artisan Mitsuru Yokoyama.

https://kyotojournal.org/online-special/interview-with-mitsuru-yokoyama/:

“I wanted something for myself that no one could take away from me, that manifested as a traditional skill.”

We all have things other people cannot take away. Most of the time, it’s the depths of love and more probably so, pain and suffering 

These are the very things we have gone through and learned to work with , sometimes with some progress sometimes with less achievement 

These very things people can’t take away are the very core of how we have built our lives or how our lives have been led consciously or unconsciously 

But these super experiences are super events , extremely extremely powerful in getting us to anchor into life and relook values mindsets and reflect. So how can we use these super events in our life ?

“People try to change it all the time (me included) but it generally always comes back to its original form, or a slight variation on that.”

So it’s important to get the basics right

Create something that lasts 

“In terms of art or furniture, tatami should be regarded a little differently I think, it is hard to categorize, it is a living piece, living with you, it creates an atmosphere. That’s the beautiful thing about tatami, it is so functional. It is hardy and clean while powerfully elegant. You can experience your entire life on it. We (Japanese) treat it with respect but tatami is daily, sure there are really special places but for the most part there isn’t a ‘special’ room you only use on certain occasions. This is because it is central to lifestyle. Essential in the functioning of a home; a space to sleep, for communication, dining, meditation, worship, entertainment, and so on. Because of this ability to gather experiences I think tatami is really more of a ‘space’ than an ‘object’.”

I like these especially:

powerfully elegant

You experience your entire life on it

tatami is really more of a ‘space’ than an ‘object

How can one become elegant and powerfully so in life? Inside out?

The unique perspective of seeing tatami as space n not just an accessory