Throughout the Meiji and Taisho periods, these carpets were in great demand by the upper classes for the tea ceremony, where they were placed over tatami mats in the tea room. They always enjoyed a reputation for quality and good taste and were made for rich and prosperous clients. In a spacious room, several rugs with the same pattern were spread around. Knotted carpets did not appear in Japan until the late 17th century when the technique was introduced from China. Although the Japanese imported woolen carpets from China, the climate in Japan did not suit the breeding of sheep, so cotton was generally used to make dantsu. Ako began producing rugs in 1849, with production climaxing around 1925 and ending by the time World War II began. The rug-making industry never restarted after the war, and it has now virtually disappeared in Japan. Only the Saga Prefectural Museum of Arts and a small group of enthusiasts are left to preserve Ako carpet making history.

We were unaware of the existence of Japanese carpets until we read a fascinating article by Takehara Shinji on the subject in DARUMA 13 several years ago. Original Aka carpets are rare and highly collectible even in Japan. They are seldom found on the market today.