Pixel Weave Monalisa

Rug for Hana Material Design Laboratory inc.

Hana Mitsui reinterprets traditional Japanese tatami weaving through a pixelated Mona Lisa made with Igusa grass. Working with tatami craftspeople, she explores how this time-honored material can engage with present-day visual language. By noticing the visual similarity between tatami’s weave and digital pixel grids, Mitsui developed a method to express subtle tones through tactile, pixel-like forms. The result highlights a quiet dialogue between tradition and modern perspective.Her practice reflects an ongoing interest in translating cultural heritage into new visual expressions.

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Pixel Weave Monalisa by Hana Mitsui

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Rug by Hana Mitsui

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Hana Mitsui Pixel Weave Monalisa

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Hana Mitsui Rug

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Unique Properties

Transforming traditional Japanese tatami weaving, I set out to explore new possibilities for Igusa grass. I noticed a compelling visual similarity between the geometric patterns of tatami and the pixel grid of digital imagery. Inspired by this connection, I developed a weaving technique using Igusa grass that captures painterly impressions through pixel-like expressions. By carefully blending the natural hues of Igusa, the image of the world-renowned Mona Lisa emerges—subtle, tactile, and reimagined through a uniquely Japanese material language. The strength of this design lies in its ability to present tatami an everyday, familiar presence in Japanese life from a fresh perspective, refracted through the iconic gaze of the Mona Lisa. It reveals the untapped potential within our daily surroundings, reminding us that even the most ordinary materials can be transformed into something artistic and profound.

Tags

Weave, Textile, Pixel, Craft, Rug, Art, Mona Lisa, Igusa grass, Tatami

Production Technology

This piece was produced using the same specialized machines used to weave traditional Japanese Tatami and Goza mats. Japan has unique looms specifically designed for Igusa, and these were essential in bringing this design to life. As the Igusa industry is a small, closed circle, collaborations with designers are rare, making this a new creative challenge for the artisans involved. After choosing the Mona Lisa as the motif, I created a pixelated version and worked closely with the craftspeople to translate it into a weave structure. We exchanged data many times to adjust the pattern, then programmed the loom for production. Since Igusa is resistant to dye, the finished piece was coated to fix the colors. Through many stages, this design was carefully crafted into a new expression of Igusa.

Design Challenge

This project marked my first experience working with Igusa weaving. Since Igusa is typically used for everyday household items, creating a large-scale jacquard weave for an artwork like this is quite rare. Collaborating closely with skilled artisans, I carefully considered the weave structure and color combinations, aiming to achieve maximum expression within the technical limitations of the material. At the same time, I also focused on ensuring the functionality of the piece as a rug, designing the weave with strength and durability in mind. This design is the result of merging my background in textile design with newly acquired knowledge of Igusa—bringing together both experience and experimentation in a truly integrated way.

Project Duration

The project began in Fukuoka, Japan in September 2024 and was completed in December 2024. It was also showcased at a major design event, DESIGNTIDE TOKYO, held in Tokyo in December 2024.

Operation Flow

This piece is an art rug made using traditional Japanese tatami techniques. Though it may look like a digital image, it is handwoven entirely from natural Igusa grass. The portrait of the Mona Lisa appears through pixel-like colored squares—abstract up close, but clear from a distance. It requires no special operation and can be used freely as a floor mat or wall piece. The natural texture and scent blend tradition with contemporary design.

Research

Colorfully dyed Igusa mats woven with the Kakegawa-ori technique represent a rare and refined tradition, even within Japan. In recent years, however, many younger generations are unaware of the existence of such vibrant tatami, and the craft itself is at risk of fading into obscurity. Having grown up in a home without tatami, I had little familiarity with it. It wasn’t until a work trip to Fukuoka that I encountered Kakegawa-ori in daily use. I was deeply moved by the beauty of this weaving method seamlessly integrated into everyday life, and at the same time, I felt a strong sense of loss and urgency in realizing how this cultural heritage is gradually disappearing. This experience inspired me to launch the project, with the aim of reintroducing the value and beauty of this technique to a wider audience. I selected the Mona Lisa as the central motif because it is an iconic image recognized by virtually everyone, even those with no particular interest in art. It naturally captures attention, and its pixelated form retains a clear visual identity—making it especially well-suited to this method of expression. The work succeeded in drawing attention at the exhibition, encouraging many viewers to engage with this traditional craft from a fresh perspective.

Inspiration

This work was born out of a deep sense of urgency around the rapid decline of Japan’s Igusa culture. Traditionally used in tatami mats suited to Japan’s humid climate, Igusa grass has seen a dramatic decrease in demand due to modern lifestyle changes, with farms now reduced to just one-twentieth of their peak. To keep this heritage material alive for future generations, I sought to reframe Igusa in a contemporary context bridging traditional craftsmanship with digital aesthetics to explore new, sustainable possibilities for this time-honored material.

Image Credits

[ Image#1,2,3,4 and 5 : Photographer:Naoaki Yokota]

Project Overview

Pixel Weave Monalisa Rug has been a Bronze winner in the Textile, Fabric, Textures, Patterns and Cloth Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Hana Mitsui was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Pixel Weave Monalisa Rug.

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