Sakai Osaka, known for its rich history and craftsmanship, is home to the legendary Sakai Dantsu carpets, one of Japan’s ‘Three Major Carpets.’
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center and experience firsthand the intricate art of hand-weaving these carpets. Skilled artisans weave a variety of threads by hand, creating vibrant and stunning designs.
Join me in exploring the fascinating world of this traditional art form and the skilled artisans behind it. If you’re keen to learn more about Sakai, please refer to the articles below.
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Profile of Writer
ambassador
Eric Chevallier
Born in France, he is a blacksmith specializing in Japanese knives and the owner of DE SAKAI, a brand known for its traditional Japanese knives and kitchen tools. After arriving in Japan in 2012, he undertook an intensive apprenticeship under a master of traditional Sakai bladesmithing. In recognition of his role as a cultural bridge for Japanese bladesmithing in France, he was honored with the “Star of Hope” award by the French government. He currently serves as the “Foreign Market Development Coordinator” at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center.
From Local Craft to National Fame
Sakai’s Dantsu carpets have a rich history that began in 1831. They were created by Shozaemon, a braid dealer, who was inspired by Chinese carpets.
In 1877, Shozaemon’s grandson showcased Sakai’s carpets at Japan’s first industrial exhibition, making them famous across the country. Over time, Sakai’s carpet makers also drew inspiration from other carpet styles, like the famous Wilton carpets from England.
By 1895, carpet production in Sakai had grown significantly, from 120 mats in the 1830s to nearly 900,000 mats. Sakai’s carpets became a major export in Osaka Prefecture, greatly contributing to Japan’s economy.
In the 20th century, other types of rugs became popular, but Sakai remained known as the Kingdom of Carpets in Japan.


Preserving Tradition in Sakai's Carpet Industry
To meet changing demands, Sakai’s carpet industry began creating a wide variety of carpets by developing new materials and automating production processes. Today, the industry focuses on innovation, working to create diverse carpets through new materials and computerized systems.
Despite these changes, a small group of women dedicates their time to preserving the traditional craft. They demonstrate how to make Sakai Teori Dantsu (Sakai handwoven carpets), keeping this ancient handmaking process alive.

Every Thread, Every Weave, Building Excellence with Care
The weavers create each rug one at a time, using two weaving warps as the foundation. They weave woolen yarn made from four threads, following a planned color scheme. The pile is cut with scissors. After completing each stage, the weaver drives in a reed and starts the next stage. The final product is so beautiful that it’s easy to forget it’s meant to be used as a carpet.
Toshiko Ando, a member of the Sakai Handwoven Rugs and Carpets Technique Preservation Society, says:
“The texture doesn’t change even after 10 years of use. It takes a long time to make, but the final product is of high quality, and people can use it for their whole life.”


Visitors to Sakai City can enjoy a demonstration of the Sakai Handwoven Rugs and Carpets Technique Preservation Society at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center every Monday from 1 PM to 4 PM, with no reservation required.
Don’t miss the chance to see the vibrant Sakai Dantsu carpets and the craftsmanship up close.
Details
Contact: View Website
- Address: 183-5 Nagasone Kita-ku Sakai, Osaka