Inose is part of our futon-making team. She shapes the inner filling of our three-layer shikibuton and also makes pillows.
Shaping the inner filling
I shape the inner filling used between the upper and lower layers of our three-layer shikibuton, and I also make pillows. The work needs care: how evenly each roll is formed affects the feel of the finished futon.
“For the customer, it is the only one”
We make many futons, but each customer receives one that is their own. I remind myself of that before every shift. Every piece deserves the same care as the first.
A futon made for my son
My second son plays high-school baseball. With demanding training and little time to rest, I want him to feel comfortable when he sleeps. Remembering a real person helps me bring the same care to every futon I make.
The breadth of generations in the workshop
Our team ranges from people in their twenties to their seventies. Younger colleagues learn quickly, and more experienced colleagues share what they know. We cover for and learn from one another. I hope to keep working here and pass my skills on to the next generation.