Grass-and-straw tatami mats – once a privilege reserved for the elite – have been a key feature of Japanese architecture since the Middle Ages, crafted by gifted artisans. But now, with cheap ...

Mary Petterson used to wake up feeling like she was 80 years old. Every morning, starting when she was only in her early 40s, she was tired, sweaty and sore, and had pain in her hips shooting down to ...

KYOTO--With demand for tatami plunging in Japan, a specialized trading firm here is eyeing a potential market of 2 billion people for the traditional mats.